Last week I answered a few questions on how to snack smarter. This week I'm going to cover a few more questions since snacking on the wrong foods is a problem for so many people.
Q: What are the basic rules of "Smart Snacking"?- Fresh is best! Choose foods closest to their natural form for the most nutritional benefit.
- Avoid gimmicky diet foods and processed snacks that are devoid of any nutritional quality. They will usually only leave you craving more.
- Mix it up. Eat a variety of fresh foods for the best compliment of disease fighting nutrients.
- Watch your portion size. As a general rule, keep snacks around 200 calories or less. However, this all depends on how many meals and snacks you have a day and your activity level.
- To keep your appetite in check, make sure those snacks contain a bit of protein, fiber and healthy fat, along with some carbohydrate. Some examples include: peanut butter on whole wheat crackers or celery sticks, an apple and reduced fat string cheese, hummus and red pepper strips or a handful of almonds and dried fruit.
- Avoid snacks high in sugar, sodium, saturated and trans fats.
Q: What are your thoughts on low-calorie, reduced-fat versions of popular junk foods?
I’m not a big fan. Typically when manufacturers get rid of one thing, they replace it with another. For example, many low-fat versions of popular junk foods like cookies and ice cream are higher in sugar. “Low-calorie” and “reduced-fat” labels also lead people to believe they can eat more, which goes against the whole point of eating the so called “healthier” version in the first place. These alternatives can also leave people feeling unsatisfied, causing them to overindulge. They would have been better off eating a small portion of the real thing to start with.
- Lauren
Labels: Ask The Experts, healthy eating, healthy tips, Lauren
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Good stuff! I prefer fresh too.. it does fuel us better & feel more satisfied!