by Erin Neth, RD
To Snack or Not To Snack, that’s been the question of many of those trying to win the battle of weight loss and fitness for years. To snack can be the answer as long as you keep a few things in mind. Eating small frequent meals and snacks is a good way to burn fat and keep food cravings at bay. Healthy snacking not only provides the body with the nutrition it needs, but also keeps you energized throughout the day. With that being said, there are also several keys to help guarantee snacks can work for you. Portions, foods chosen, frequency and total calorie intake from snacks are all important factors.
Portions….Pre-portioning your snacks is like magic for fat burning. Whether its nuts, yogurt or whole grain crackers, eating from a multi-serving container will lead to over eating. Grab the serving and leave the package in the cabinet, you thank yourself later.
Food Choices…Think of snacks as nutrient packed energy boosters. Choose snacks for the nutrients they provide…protein like nuts, nut butters, eggs, yogurt, hummus; healthy carbohydrates like whole grain breads, crackers, cereal; and fiber like fruits and vegetables are a good place to start. Protein is the best fat burner.
Frequency…One to three healthy snacks per day can make for a healthy eating plan and keep hunger away.
Calorie Intake….Snack calories should be no more than ¼ of your total calorie intake for the day. So if your calorie goal is 1800 calories, keep snack calories to no more than 450 calories for the whole day to burn the fat away!
Try these nutrient packed and delicious snacks:
- Popcorn with a sprinkle of mozzarella cheese.
- Triscuits and 1 oz low-fat cheese
- Non-fat or Greek yogurt mixed with berries
- Cut up veggies with hummus or low-fat veggie dip
- Apple with 1-2 tablespoons peanut butter
- 1 ounce of almonds with 1-2 pieces of dark chocolate
- Snack your way to a healthier, leaner body!