The Keys To Snacking Smart

Snacking typically has a very negative connection in regards to fitness and healthy eating. While I can understand the reasons for that, snacking can be a healthy thing. If you’re still a few hours from lunch, but you’ve been sitting at your desk trying to ignore the quiet persistent rumbling in your stomach, you’re more than likely going to reach for a snack to tide you over until lunchtime finally arrives. What you reach for at that moment can make a big difference in your energy level, your weight and your overall health. Be careful not to choose the wrong snack or you may find yourself feeling dragged down and more fatigued than you did before the snack. Take a few minutes before your next snack break to weigh your options, and remember to follow the tips below to make a healthy and beneficial choice when your next craving strikes! Energy Boosting Snacks

Let’s say its 2pm, you’ve already had lunch and that 3rd cup of coffee you just finished isn’t helping with the sleepiness that you’ve been battling. Your body obviously needs a boost of energy, but how do you get it? Snacking could help. Just make sure your snacking on foods that contain good fats and protein. Here’s some of my favorite energy boosting snacks.

Apple (or Banana) and some Peanut Butter. The natural sugars in the fruits take longer to breakdown than the refined sugars in other snacks, and the peanut butter provides a decent amount of protein to help with the energy.¼-½ cup of nuts and dried fruit. This is one of Hunters favorites actually, we make a healthy trail mix out of it for him to snack on. The protein and healthy fats, as well as the fiber in this snack provide a consistent trickle of energy in to the rest of your day. Just be careful not to overdo it as eating too many carbs can actually have a negative result, and may make you feel even sleepier.

Snacking for Weight Management

Most people tend to completely cut out snacks when they’re trying to lose weight. What most people don’t realize though, is that not snacking might actually be a counterproductive action. By snacking (healthily) you’re able to keep yourself more satisfied between meals. If you cut out snacking, your far more likely to overeat once dinnertime finally arrives. By eating small healthy snacks throughout the day you’re able to keep your hunger in check. Just be sure not to eat snacks when you’re in a “peckish” mood (bored, stress, zoning out, etc)

The key to doing this successfully is to choose snacks that fit within your daily macro goals.

Snacking for Healthy Living

If you find that you’re having trouble eating the correct amount of fruits, vegetable, calcium, protein and the other essentials to a healthy life your answer may just be snacking. By knowing what healthy snacks to keep available, you’ll be able to boost your intake level of all the good foods you need.

Just be careful to make sure that you’re keeping everything balanced.