Three Steps to Healthier Snacking

— March 12, 2014

Who hasn’t heard that 3 o’clock call from their sweet-tooth? Becoming a skilled snacker could resolve those daily highs and lows.

Step 1: Assess

Take a minute and think about why, every afternoon, you reach for your cookie drawer stash. Do you only want to satisfy that nagging hunger so you can last until supper? Or is it a hormonal, emotional craving driving you to distraction?

Knowing why and when your metabolism needs an extra kick is a great first step towards smarter snacking. It will also save you a lot of time and guilt. Instead of wasting an hour struggling whether or not to cave in to your naughty craving, you can equip yourself with a snacking strategy.

Step 2: Prepare

The key to being a skilled snacker is not to leave your snacking choices to the last minute when your blood sugar levels are low, making you irritable. First, pick the right kinds of foods: Protein and fiber will fill you up, not drag you down after a brief sugary rush.

Second, plan your portion size. One article suggested 200 to 300 calories is a good sized-snack. So try adding a little peanut butter to that apple. And it only takes 5 minutes to chop up some juicy fruit and squeeze over a little lemon, lime or orange juice to keep it fresh!

Step 3: Enjoy

The final key to snacking bliss is to enjoy it! Take the time to savour, not only the taste of your yummy snack, but the internal satisfaction at making such a healthy choice; going slow will also help against overeating.

Why not get a few colleagues together to bring in a potluck of snacks to enjoy together? Who says snacking can’t be fun, too. And the benefits of your new snacking plan? A less moody, guilt-free, more productive and satisfied you!

Here are a few links to get your snack ideas flowing:

Smart Snacking Center – http://www.sparkpeople.com/resource/smart-snacking-center.asp

Snack Healthy –http://totalhealth.ahm.com.au/content/showpagenum.asp?Page=7632

Snack Attack – http://rochesternutrition.blogspot.com/2012/02/snack-attack-art-of-healthy-snacking.html

Got any great snack recipes or ideas?