How to Buy Snacks with Less Sugar
By Sara Butler
Snacks are important. Sometimes you just need a little something to get you through the afternoon until it’s time for dinner. But snack options can feel pretty limited since many are packed to the gills with sugar. How can you avoid all that sugar but still have something that is easy and satisfying? Here are a few tips to help you find snacks without all the sugar.
Look at the Ingredients
The first place to look at a potential snack is the nutritional label. Even foods you assume are healthy may not actually be, so take the time to look. Try to find an ingredients list that’s short, without a bunch of added fat, sugar, and preservatives. The fewer add-ins on the label, the better it’s probably going to be for you – because it’s less processed!
Go Whole
Whole foods are always going to be a winning bet and are pretty easy to pick out. Whole foods in the produce section aren’t packaged, but in their natural state for you to buy and consume. That means no added sugar or fat. Pick out fruits or vegetables that will help to satisfy your snack cravings, they won’t lead you astray.
Watch Out for Added Sugar
Even food that appears to be innocent can be loaded with sugar. Yogurt is a great example. Some flavored yogurts have as much (or more) sugar as a chocolate bar! When you opt for snacks that aren’t sweet, then you’re reducing the chances of getting added sugar in your diet. You’ll also get more nutritional bang for your buck.
Fresh fruit is probably the only sweet food item you shouldn’t worry about sugar content because the natural sugars are accompanied by other nutrients and fiber that make it healthy for you. Refined sugar with little nutritional value is what you really need to be on the lookout for.
Say Yes to Probiotics
There are tons of ways to work a few gut-healthy probiotics into your day. This bacteria is good for your digestion and can be found in items such as yogurt, sauerkraut (or any fermented food), and yogurt. Probiotics help to keep your gut healthy and eating them will always be a better way to introduce them into your gut than in supplement form.
Have Some Protein
You can cut the sugar by opting for protein instead. Protein helps to keep you full between meals, so go with nuts, seeds, jerky, yogurt, or peanut butter on whole grain toast for a protein pick-me-up in the afternoons. You won’t regret it.
To learn more about your health and wellness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Greenwood Village, Colo.