Tips for Healthy Snacking

If you find it hard to resist reaching for a snack between meals, you aren’t alone.

Living the busy lives that we do, can be hard to keep track of the food that we eat. Snacking is a quick fix for when we’re on the go and can be a good way to maintain our blood sugar levels, but it can also lead to unhealthy eating and weight gain.

Keeping a food diary, is a great way to help you plan, keep you accountable and encourage you to learn about the nutritional content in your food. It sounds tedious, but it truly is an eye-opener if you’re serious about getting results. You’d be surprised how many foods and drinks you think are healthy but are much higher in calories, fat, sugar or salt than you realise and this may be sabotaging your weight loss goals. 

My Top Tips to Take Control of Your Snacking for a Healthier You.

·       Eat regular meals. Going hungry makes you more likely to pig out on extra snacks. The number of snacks you eat will vary based on your activity level and how big your meals are. If you're very active, you may prefer 2–3 snacks per day, while a more sedentary person may do best with one snack or no snacks.
 

·       Plan your snacks. Write a shopping list and avoid grocery visits when you’re hungry. Those snack food displays at the checkout counter can be hard to resist.
 

·       Carry healthy snacks with you. Prepare snacks in advance and go for maximum variety to avoid boredom. Use protein to fill you up, Nuts and seeds are a good source of protein, which helps you to feel full throughout the day. 

·       Stock healthy snacks in your fridge and cupboards. This could be things like: boiled eggs, yoghurt, nuts, vegetables, vegetable dips, wholemeal or rice crispbreads and fresh fruit. Keep them at the front of the fridge or the pantry so you’re more likely to reach for them first.
 

·       Schedule meals. Constant grazing is not a great idea as it’s hard to keep track of how much food you are actually eating. Try to schedule your meals throughout the day to eat every 3 or 4 hours.

·       Resist buying junk food. Crips, biscuits and chocolate are high in salt, fat and calories. Make them occasional treats, not everyday foods.
 

·       Make your own snacks and meals, using fresh ingredients. Experiment with new recipes and replace your favourite snack foods with healthy homemade alternatives.
 

·       Fill your fruit bowl and put it in plain sight. Stocking your fridge, freezer and cupboards with lots of healthy alternatives will allow you to be prepared when you do need a snack. You’re more likely to snack on healthy options if they’re on hand.
 

·       Limit your intake of ‘health bars’ and fruit juices. Processed muesli, breakfast or energy bars and juices are typically high in salt, fat or sugar. Don’t be fooled by the advertising

·       Don’t skip breakfast. You have heard the saying “Breakfast is the most important meal of the day.” That’s because people who avoid breakfast tend to nibble on snacks during the mid-morning, which can be a problem if those snacks are junk foods.

·       Think portion control. Whatever you snack on, remember that a snack is meant to be a small meal. Put it on a small plate or bowl and put the rest of the packet back in the cupboard.

I hope that all my tips above, will help you take control of your snacking throughtout you're day. Just remember eating a healthy balanced diet and regular exercise is essential in maintaining physical and mental health and well being. If you would like further advice or support on nutrition or personal training to reach your health and fitness goals, whether it be face to face outside in Clapham, or online via live video call, get in touch with me today.

Best Wishes

Amy Knipe