| Snacks and snacking get a bad rap in our | | | | |
| overly health-conscious society. Snacks are | | | | A few other healthy snacking options: |
| full of calories... snacks spoil your | | | | |
| appetite... snacking means you're eating | | | | 1. Vegetable or bean soup |
| junk food - not so! The truth is, | | | | |
| nutritionists agree that our bodies need | | | | 2. Roast beef sandwich with mustard instead |
| re-fueling every 3 to 4 hours, and a healthy | | | | of mayo |
| snack gives you an energy boost and can help | | | | |
| keep hunger under control so you aren't | | | | 3. Low-fat string cheese |
| tempted to overeat later. | | | | |
| | | | 4. Turkey sandwich on whole wheat pita |
| The secret to snacking smart is being | | | | |
| prepared. Rather than scrambling when hunger | | | | 5. Baked potato topped with salsa and |
| hits, or hunting for the nearest vending | | | | low-fat sour cream |
| machine, have healthy, energy-boosting snacks | | | | |
| on hand and ready to eat. Plan ahead for | | | | 6. Apple or banana slices with peanut butter |
| times you usually get hungry and be ready | | | | |
| with an alternative... something as close to | | | | 7. Whole grain bagel with low-fat cream |
| natural as you can get, without additives, | | | | cheese |
| extra fat or chemicals that add flavor and | | | | |
| color, but no nutritional value. | | | | Of course there are times when you simply |
| | | | can't plan ahead, but are struggling with a |
| Snacks that satisfy your sweet tooth and are | | | | hunger that's demanding you get something |
| still healthy: | | | | NOW. Grocery shelves are stocked with items |
| | | | that say "all natural" or "light" but the |
| 1. Graham crackers (or other whole grain | | | | only way you'll know for sure if these snacks |
| crackers)with low-fat chocolate milk | | | | live up to the advertising is to read the |
| | | | label - both front and back - to see what's |
| 2. Fresh fruit | | | | inside. Power bars and energy drinks are |
| | | | everywhere now, but beware - these aren't |
| 3. Smoothie made with skim milk and fresh | | | | always the nutritious snack they're touted to |
| fruit juice | | | | be. Many are highly processed, contain added |
| | | | fats or other substances that can make them |
| 4. Baked sweet potato | | | | just as nutritionally complete as a candy |
| | | | bar. |
| 5. Animal crackers | | | | |
| | | | If you're only option is fast food - don't |
| 6. Low-fat yogurt with fruit | | | | panic. These days, fast food outlets offer |
| | | | more healthy menu options than ever before. |
| 7. Frozen juice popsicle | | | | All you need do is keep your fast food snack |
| | | | as close to its natural state as possible - |
| When it's something crunchy you crave, try | | | | this means a baked potato over those fries... |
| these: | | | | a smoothie over a milkshake; frozen yogurt |
| | | | over an ice cream. If you must, simply must, |
| 1. Peanut butter crackers or rice cakes | | | | choose a high-calorie item - try controlling |
| | | | the portion size. Before you dig into that |
| 2. Cut up veggies with low-fat salad | | | | loaded cheeseburger, take 1/3 and put it |
| dressing | | | | aside, then enjoy the rest, knowing at least |
| | | | you're limiting the amount of high calorie, |
| 3. Pretzels | | | | high fat food you're taking in. |
| | | | |
| 4. Breadsticks | | | | Healthy snacking, just like healthy eating, |
| | | | takes practice, consistent effort and the |
| 5. Air popped popcorn | | | | real, sincere desire to make a change. But |
| | | | once you do, you'll stay energized and feel |
| 6. Handful of raisins and roasted peanuts | | | | great - ready to take on whatever challenge |
| | | | your day might bring. |
| 7. Pumpkin or sesame seeds | | | | |