Don’t eat between meals. Eat many small snacks to avoid a blood sugar imbalance. Eat plenty of whole grains. Don’t eat crabs at all. Between all the conflicting diet advice being thrown at us in magazines, diet books, and on the Oprah channel, it can be impossible to know what to eat and when. But healthy snacking is an important part of a manageable diet, and it’s important to know how to snack right. Everyone can snack healthily if you have a few tricks up your sleeve to help keep your blood sugar balanced, your calories counted and your weight in check. Check out these tips and tricks for healthy snacking for everybody.
- Plan to snack. Most people have an easier time sticking to a diet when they snack regularly and never allow themselves to run on empty. If you skip snacks in the hope of saving a few calories, you will often end up overeating later out of hunger. Time your snacks for mid -morning and mid-afternoon, when energy levels tend to drop.
- Don’t look at diet snacks as a reason to overindulge. Packaged snacks that are labeled “low-fat” or “diet” are often full of artificial sweeteners and other unnatural ingredients that actually stimulate you to crave even more sweets. If you really feel the need to munch, choose something like baby carrots or air-popped popcorn that will let you crunch without the guilt.
- Stock up on healthy snacks wherever you are. If you know you tend to get hungry at work and hit the vending machines, keep a fruit bowl full of healthy fruit on your desk. If you know you have a bad habit of digging the ice cream out of the freezer, keep all the ingredients for a healthy smoothie in the freezer instead. Before you head out for a day of shopping or errands, slip some almonds and dried fruit into your purse.
- Drink, drink, drink. Many times the urge to snack is actually just thirst in disguise. Not everyone really needs to drink eight glasses of water a day, but staying hydrated is key to managing your snacking habits. And don’t be fooled into thinking that sodas or even diet drinks can be an adequate substitute for water. If you need a bit of flavor, try flavored water or unsweetened tea.
- If you find it hard to stay away from junk food, set yourself a goal with a specific reward. But rewarding yourself with a slice of cheesecake can be counteractive to your healthy goals. Instead, promise yourself a spa day or a new piece of jewelry when you hit your weight goal. Every time you get the urge to snack, distract yourself by researching your upcoming reward. Look up spa deals in your area, or research ring settings online, and mark down another day without unhealthy snacking.
- You might get bored of the go-to healthy snacks like almonds and apples, but your snacking doesn’t have to be limited to those choices. Branch out into untraditional snack foods and don’t be afraid to eat the healthy food you love anytime, whether it’s spicy brown rice for breakfast or cereal and milk for dinner.
- Studies have proven that when you eat food, especially snack food like popcorn or chips, from the original packaging, you end up eating more. To limit your portion size, dish out every snack, no matter how small, into a plate or bowl. That will force you to slow down, consider your choice, and then eat a sensible amount of a sensible food.
Guest post written by Whiteflash.com – best provider of loose diamonds for engagement rings!
