How to Eat Snacks and Still Manage Your Weight
By Genevieve Cunningham
Snacks are one of the most satisfying parts of the day. We often look forward to snack time. Whether it's a sweet pick-me-up or a crunchy, salty fix, snacks give us a boost and satisfy an emotional need that helps us make it through the mundane parts of life. Unfortunately, snacks aren't always the healthiest option. In fact, we often have to cut snacks completely when it's time to focus on weight loss or better health. But isn't there a happy medium? Can't we enjoy snacks and be healthy at the same time? Luckily, the answer is yes! If you want to keep your snacks and still move toward better health, take a look at these tips to get you moving in the right direction.
Choose Wisely
Perhaps the most important part of responsible snacking is the choices that we make. If we're snacking on chips, soda, and chocolate bars, we're obviously not going to be leading the healthiest life. If we're choosing fruits and vegetables, we're taking in far fewer calories and giving our bodies healthy nutrients. If you want to have your snacks without the potential risks, choose wisely.
Plan It Out
Some people simply have to plan their snacks in advance. They know exactly what they're going to eat and exactly when they're going to do it. They don't leave any room for mindless snacking because it's already been planned and prepared. This is a good option for people who reach for snacks out of boredom. A schedule keeps us on track, which is very often all we need.
Keep Everything Small
If you really like to snack, consider keeping all of your meals small. Instead of three big meals and a few tiny snacks, try six small meals. This keeps your calorie count under control, but allows you to satisfy your need to eat. This option doesn't work for everyone. For some, this option almost guarantees too many calories. But when done appropriately, this is a great way to keep meals, snacking, and calorie consumption under control.
If you really like to snack throughout the day, there's good news. You can totally snack without ruining your diet and health. Use these tips to manage your snacking so that you can have your snacks, your health, and an enjoyable life all at the same time.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Aliso Viejo, Calif.