Tips to snack smarter!

The number one problem to weight gain is snacking. Eating or sampling foods either before or after you’ve eaten is considered snacking. Sometimes eating or sampling in large portions is really a meal. Meals do not really constitute what is eaten but how much. Snacks, in every since of the word, are generally junk food items – even the word “snacks” may cause you to think about junk food, i.e. cookies, candies, potato chips, ice-cream, etc. However, to be fair, many consumers are choosing healthier snacks like fruits and vegetables or low calorie, low fat snack items.

There are 5 ways to beat snacking or “mindless eating. There are tricks to overcome snacking or eating without thinking are:

Mindful Munching:

Snacks from the movie concession counter can be real calorie bombs and munching them in the dark doesn’t make them any less fattening. Nix the small buttered popcorn that weighs in at almost 500 calories or that pack of Twizzlers with about 600 calories and instead opt for a light bring-your-own snack that’s tasty, filling and long-lasting.

For example, whip up a batch of trail mix made with almonds, dry roasted edamame, and high-fiber cereal for a good-for-you snack that has about 150 calories for a 1 cup serving.

Protein to Go:

It’s easy to grab a fatty snack when you are hungry and in a rush. The problem is, those grab-and-go candies and chips in the vending machine are loaded with calories and fat – watch out for those preservatives that make these snack foods worse. Protein bars are a good solutions as well as fiber bars.

Drink Up:

It’s easy to mistake dehydration for hunger. Make it a point to drink at least 8 glasses of water each day and you won’t be as tempted to snack between meals. Each time your hunger pangs hit drink water. If hunger ensues, try ZICO 100 percent coconut water, great for hydration too, with 5 electrolytes, including as much potassium as a banana, and no added sugar.

Keep a Journal:

A nibble here and a bite there seem innocent, but they can add up to a lot of calories. Keep a food journal and you’ll be more mindful of what you put in your mouth.
Keeping a food journal allows you to spot the food items that pack on the pounds and allows you to see the habits geared towards weight gain, as well as calorie-laden coffee routines or late night grazing.

Eat Satisfying Foods:

Processed foods and sugary treats digest so quickly and that you’re craving more food in no time. The best way to satisfy hunger is to eat fiber-rich fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins that are filling, nutritious and low in calories.
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Snacking or mindless eating is often a learned activity one which is observed either at a very young age or from our environment. If we teach our families, or those around us, to either forego snacking or to snack wisely, weight issues will be minimal and hopefully eliminated.