Healthy snacking done right
There are way too many people out there that think snacking is a bad thing. The truth is that it's not snacking that's the bad part, it's what you eat while you're snacking that can be bad for you. It's true that most snacks found in vending machines will not be good for your body, and thus the bad rap for snacking. If thought out however, health snacking done right can be extremely beneficial fuel for a long day of work. Here are some tips for healthy snacking at home or on the go.
Tip #1: Don't snack unless you're hungry
One of the reasons that snacking gets a bad rap is because some people believe you should snack whenever you want. The purpose of a snack is to tie you over until it's time for lunch or dinner, or whatever your next meal will be. Don't snack because something just looks good, or because you're bored. Only snack when you're hungry.
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Tip #2: Give some healthy snacks a try before throw in the towel
You might be surprised when you find out what healthy snacks are available and what they actually taste like. Though they may appear unappealing, there are some great choices for healthy snacks out there. Not only is eating healthy snacks better for your body, it can also give you the extra energy you need to get through your day. Here are a few ideas for healthy snacking:
- Anything that says reduced fat on it, like reduced fat triscuits, crackers, etc. Reduced fat triscuits only have 120 calories and 3 grams of fat.
- Baked Tostitos
- Fruits and Vegetables with a light dip
Tip #3: Look carefully at the labels
When you go to the grocery store make sure you look at the labels on your snack boxes or containers. Don't just buy food based on the front advertising pictures. Labels will tell you what a serving size is compared to what you may think it is, as well as calories, grams of fat, saturated fat, and sometimes how much sugar is in it. You might be surprised the first time you read a label in how much extra junk you're getting when you eat it.
Tip #4: Energy bars aren't all they say
Some people swear by them, and others just eat them because they hear other people swear by them. There are several different types of energy or power bars to choose from, but try to remember that energy and power bars are made for a specific reason. Yes they are extremely handy as they will fit in any bag, some are high in protein, fat, sugars, etc. It just depends on what type of power bar you eat. Some taste good and others taste bad; generally if it tastes good there is probably at least 12 grams of sugar per serving in it. So when choosing a power or energy bar, look at the label and pick carefully.
Healthy snacking done right isn't as hard as it may seem. Look at your Food Guide Pyramid as a starting point. It will tell you exactly how much of each food group you should be eating, and you can judge what snacks to get based on that. Then head to the grocery store, look at labels, and try to steer clear of the sweets isle. If done right, snacking can become a healthy part of a well balanced diet.
