Snacking Smart!

Does your stomach start rumbling between meals? Snacking is a great way to quiet your stomach and satisfy your hunger. It can also help you not overeat at your next meal. I know that when I’m starving at a mealtime, I will eat everything in sight and make less healthy choices. That’s why I eat a small snack between meals to hold me over until my next meal. While snacking can help improve your nutrition, it can also add a lot of empty calories if you aren’t careful. Try following these tips and some of my favorite snack ideas to start snacking smart!

Tips for Snacking Smart:

• Only snack if you’re physically hungry- not out of habit!
• Don’t eat out the food bag or package- put your food into a small bowl or on a small plate so that you know how much you’re eating.
• Pay attention to what you’re eating by turning off the TV or computer and eating at the table- focus on your food.
• Aim for 100-200 calories- look at the nutrition label to figure out how many calories you’re eating.
• Eat a fruit or vegetable as part of every snack.
•  Plan ahead and prepare healthy snacks in advance so that they are ready to grab and go.
•  Incorporate foods high in protein such as 1 tablespoon of peanut butter, a slice of cheese, ¼ cup of beans, a hard-boiled egg, or Greek yogurt to help keep you full for longer.

Easy Snack Ideas:

• Celery sticks with 1 tablespoon of peanut butter
• 1 container of Greek yogurt with a banana or ½ cup of fresh fruit
• 1 slice of wheat bread or 6 crackers with 1 tablespoon of peanut butter
• Cheese stick with an apple
• 1 cup of lightly salted popcorn and a handful of nuts
• ¼ cup of homemade trail mix with nuts, raisins, and dry cereal
• Pack of oatmeal made with nonfat milk
• 1 cup of vegetables with 1 slice of cheese