Snacking

people think snacking is unhealthy and leads to weight gain because many people don't eat healthy snacks! If you enjoy snacking and you want to maintain your body weight and perform well, then selecting healthy snacks is critical. Think through a typical day. How often and where do you usually snack? Are your snacks healthy or loaded with extra kcals? Many people snack on foods when they I / are bored and often don't realize how much food they have eaten. Snacks should not replace a meal. Avoid these situations by being aware of your behaviors, food selection, and kcal consumption. Follow these tips to help promote healthy snacking!

♦ Stock foods such as plain popcorn, dried fruits, whole grain
crackers, pretzels, unsweetened fruit juices, fresh produce, and
low-fat yogurt.

♦ Snack on fresh fruits or vegetables with low-fat peanut butter or
low-fat cheese spreads. (Fruits and vegetables provide dietary
fiber.)

♦ Make a snack mix with wheat, rice, and corn ready-to-eat cereals.

There can be times when you just don't want to be healthy, you just want to satisfy a sweet tooth or craving. When this happens, be selective of the sweets you eat. If you must have a candy bar or other sweets, choose one that is high in CHO and as low in fat as possible. Eating one now and then will certainly not hurt you!

Many people replace high-fat snacks with the low-fat alternatives in an attempt to lower their total fat intake. Be cautious, however, because even low-fat snacks can lead to weight gain and increases in body fat when too many kcals are consumed. Remember: low-fat does not mean low kcals, so do not over eat!