3 Tips for Better SnackingStudies have shown that people are eating more snacks - and fewer healthy snacks - than we used to. We're also eating more snacks that are loaded with calories and have very little nutritional value. But snacking doesn't have to be bad. Learn how to make snacking part of a healthy, balanced diet while minimizing the potential pitfalls of the mini-meal.
3 Tips for Better Snacking
- Plan ahead of time. Anticipate the need for snacks ahead of time and have foods and beverages on hand from the key food groups - fruits, vegetables, whole grains, low-fat dairy, and lean protein. If you have healthy options available, you may be less likely to grab something unhealthy out of convenience.
- Choose foods in their lowest fat and sugar form. For example, try mixing berries or fruits with fat-free or low-fat plain yogurt and miss out on added sweeteners or ingredients. Choose unsweetened apple sauce and fruit juices and low-sugar cereals.
- Before you eat it, find where it fits. If you're not sure if something is a good snack choice, ask yourself which food group it belongs to. If the snack doesn't fit neatly into any food group, chances are it's more like a dessert and isn't the best snack choice. This is especially helpful when looking at packaged foods.
Having a snack between meals - especially if you're eating properly portioned meals - doesn't have to mean the end of your diet. The key is to be particular about what you're choosing for snacks and stay away from mindless munching.
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