Snacking Smart is Important
By Sara Butler
Snacks have gotten a bad rap, mostly because eating too much and snacking on the wrong things can lead to an unhealthy weight. But if you can snack smart, then snacking can be a tool in your health arsenal. Here are a few questions to ask yourself before you snack to let you know if what you’re about to do is an effective snacking strategy for good health and continued wellness or not!
How About Those Portions?
One of the most important strategies to smart snacking is to check your portions. Even healthy foods have their limit and eating too much at once can make a smart snack choice a bad one! Almonds are a great example. They are full of healthy fats, Vitamin E. protein, fiber, and riboflavin, but also have 163 calories in just 23 almonds. If you’re munching on too much, then that’s hundreds of extra calories per day.
You can control your portions by taking your time to measure out a serving for a week or two, and then you should be able to eyeball how much you should be eating at once.
Are You Picking Protein?
Protein is an important part of any healthy eating strategy, but only eating protein won’t give your body what it needs to stay balanced and healthy. Make sure you pair protein-rich snacks with yogurt, whole-grains, fruits, and vegetables to help provide fiber and other nutrients.
Do You Munch Mindlessly?
The endless bag of trail mix isn’t part of any health maintenance plan. If you sit in front of your television and mindlessly munch on snacks anytime, then you’re probably eating more than you need to.
You can easily solve the mindless munchies by portioning out a snack and taking only that with you to the television or the computer, then stop when you’re done with it. Never take the whole bag or container or you might end up with a lot more than you bargained for!
Are You Relaxed?
Most people tend to grab a snack when they’re busy and on the go. You don’t want to shove food in your mouth when you’re distracted or anxious. Instead, choose a more stress-free environment to snack in just take a load off while you nourish your body. Savor each bite and it will help you to de-stress even more. You deserve a break!
Snacks aren't bad for you, you just need to snack smart!
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Buford, Ga.