Your Snacks Can Make or Break Your Diet

Snacking isn’t “bad” if you do it in moderation and make healthy choices.  Healthy, good-for-you snacks can be a part of a healthy diet – which you need to do to live healthfully.

SparkPeople.com suggest that it`s not the act of snacking, but what we are choosing. Snacking actually is a good nutritional practice, as long as we select healthy foods and control the portion.

There is definitely a wrong way and a right way to snack. You should avoid sugary items like candy and soda, and shouldn’t be consuming enough calories to constitute a meal. When visiting the vending machine, look for foods that will satisfy you and keep you feeling fuller such as nuts, peanut butter crackers or a nutritional bar. Fruits and vegetables are always a safe bet because they are low in fat and calories. Yogurt, fruit smoothies, even a slice of whole-wheat toast all make great snacks during the day.  I usually have “healthy” snacks available throughout the day that prevents me from consumin the wrong foods…SWEETS!

You can sabotage your diet with unhealthy nibbles throughout the day, so stick to nourishing foods whenever possible. If you know you have a weakness for junk food (sweet tooth here), do yourself a favor and don’t purchase these items next time you are at the grocery store. Then you won’t have to fight the temptation of ice cream or potato chips when hunger pangs hit. Remember, a balanced healthy snack will keep your blood sugars from dropping too low between meals.

Remember, healthful snacking starts in the grocery store. What you bring home is what you will eat. Shop in the perimeter of the grocery store and avoid those interior isles where the processed snack foods tend to be.

Healthful snacks are a balance of carbohydrate, protein, and fat. They are naturally high in fiber, which keep us fuller longer. Try to keep snack choices at about 200 calories.

Choose some of these items to keep your snack on track and prevent a snack attack:

·        Trail mix with whole grain cereal, dried fruit and nuts

·        string cheese and carrots

·        apple with peanut butter

·        whole grain crackers with almond butter

·        yogurt with nuts

·        turkey and bell pepper roll-ups

·        hummus on ½ whole wheat pita

·        tuna salad on 1 slice whole wheat bread

Snacking might be the missing ingredient that will help you reach our weight loss goals.