3 Things You Should Be Snacking On
It is the middle of the afternoon, your stomach is rumbling, and dinner is hours away. You really could use a snack, but you do not want to ruin the progress you have made on your diet, and snacks are bad, right? Actually no, snacks can be a very beneficial part of a diet. In fact, many diet plans encourage people to consume several “mini-meals” throughout the day to help manage hunger and reduce the chances of overeating. Of course, the type of snacks you choose to eat can make or break your diet. Only snacks that are healthy, help keep hunger at bay, provide energy, and are nutritious should be eaten. Below are 3 things you should be snacking on.
1. Low Fat Dairy: Cheese, yogurt, and other lean dairy products are excellent snack choices. Low fat dairy products contain a good amount of protein, calcium, vitamins, and minerals. It is very important to choose low fat versions, not full fat, and make sure there is not a ton of added sugars or artificial sweeteners added to yogurt products.
2. Whole Grains: Whole grain snacks provide a good amount of complex carbohydrates and fiber. This combination gives you a boost of energy and helps to keep you feeling full longer. Choosing low fat whole grain breads or crackers, and pairing them with a bit of low fat cheese makes for an excellent mid afternoon snack that will not ruin your diet.
3. Fruits and Vegetables: Do not skimp on these! Fruits and vegetables not only provide tons of vitamins and minerals, they have no fat and very few calories. They also provide a great deal of fiber which helps keep hunger urges under control.
Although snacking on these foods can be quite beneficial, they can also cause problems if you over do it. Keep portion control in mind while planning snacks. Some possible snacking options include: one cup of raw vegetables is about 25 to 30 calories; a stalk of celery is about 10 calories; 2 domino sized cubes of cheese are about 100 calories; ½ cup of frozen yogurt topped with ½ cup of fresh fruit is about 150 calories; and 1 cup of cottage cheese topped with ½ cup of fresh fruit is about 200 calories. While nuts can be a healthy snack, bear in mind a small palm full will provide you with about 160 calories. Consuming a cup of nuts can easily yield over 800 calories. And remember; do not wreck your diet by drinking your calories. Many people consume a lot more calories than they realize through beverages. Drinking a regular soda with your stalk of celery for a snack will undo a diet’s progress in no time.
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