For better or worse, people snack. In fact, snacking is something humans have been doing since the times of hunting and gathering. You don’t need to feel guilty about having that mid-morning nibble; embrace it. Just do it in a way that benefits your health.
Know what you’re doing
A quick snack seems harmless enough, but what you eat does matter. And this comes in both quantity and quality. Whole-grain crackers or cottage cheese make great snack options, but not if you consume them in excess.
Moderation is the key to many things in life, which certainly pertains to snacking. Keep track of what you snack on, the portion size, and how many snacks you’re consuming per day.
The best way to control the quality and quantity of your snack is to pre-pack the night before. Don’t do this when you’re hungry or more likely to pack too much. If you have a food scale handy, this is the best method. Another tip is to use small containers for packaging your snacks. We tend to fill containers when prepping, so this can be a trap for you if the container is too big.
Eat your greens, but other things too
Fruits and vegetables make excellent snacks, no question about it. They can help to maintain your blood sugar levels in between meals. They can also provide the vital nutrients that might be missing from your daily diet. But don’t feel like these are your only options for healthy eating habits. For example, tuna on whole-wheat crackers would make an excellent alternative packed with protein.
Go nuts for nuts
If you want something quick and easy, then look no further than any number of different types of nuts. A handful of almonds or sunflower seeds is a great way to get through the mid-afternoon cravings. Pistachios are packed full of nutrients and lower in fat and calories than many nuts. You can even go a little exotic and enjoy some Brazilian tree nuts for a healthy treat.
The bottom line is that snacking can be a great way to get much-needed nutrients into your daily diet. But to fully embrace the snacking movement, you have to be very aware of what and how much you’re snacking on. And remember, there is no truth to the saying “snacking calories don’t count.”
