Q: What are some of the biggest problems people have when it comes to snacking?
Not planning ahead - Set yourself up for success by keeping healthy snack options readily available at home and at work.
Choosing unhealthy convenience foods - If you find yourself fishing in your pockets for change for the vending machine, stop! These foods are high in calories, low in nutritional quality and won’t keep you satisfied for long.
Snaking late at night - Eating late a night in itself isn’t necessarily bad for you, but chances are you’re eating pizza slices instead of apple slices. Snacking at night, especially on high fat foods, can interrupt your sleep, cause heartburn and promote weight gain.
Eating straight out of the bag or container - Brian Wansink calls it “Mindless Eating” and chances are you’ve done it at some point. Snacking right out of the bag almost always leads to overeating, especially if you’re sitting in front of the TV or computer. Portion out an appropriate serving and put the rest away.
Eating snacks to fill an emotional need such as stress or boredom - Eating because you’re lonely or overworked will only leave you feeling worse. Read a book, meditate or go for a walk to deal with these emotions in a healthy way.
Q: What are the biggest problem foods to avoid?
- Anything out of the vending machine! Salty snacks such as potato chips, cheese crackers or beef jerkey. It’s so easy to over indulge on these salt laden, calorie dense foods. To make matters worse, they’re usually accompanied by a high sugar snacks like gummy bears or a candy bar.
- Sweet treats late at night such as ice cream, cookies and cake. People almost never stick to one serving and the calories add up fast.
- Sugar filled “energy drinks” and soda. They have zero nutritional value and will cause a serious energy crash and possible cravings later in the day.
Q: How can I snack smarter so I’m not sabotaging my healthy diet?
Select foods that will satisfy your hunger and provide your body with needed energy and nutrients. Fresh fruits and vegetables are packed with fiber and disease fighting nutrients.
Low fat dairy products like yogurt, milk or cottage cheese provide protein and calcium for strong bones. Whole grain cereals, crackers, pita bread and granola bars provide fiber and B vitamins for a boost of energy. Nuts and peanut butter provide heart healthy fats (watch your portion size). Combine any of these foods for a healthy, filling snack.
- Lauren
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Labels: Ask The Experts, healthy eating, healthy tips, Lauren
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Great post! I plan for all my mini meals which some may consider a snack. At night which is bad for many, I already have my healthy snacks planned & then I brush, floss & mouthwash right after that. Planning is key but all your points are great!