4 Tricks For Healthier Snacking

Back in the 1980s, my snack might have been a granola bar mom stuck in my backpack or an Oh Henry! candy bar dispensed from my high school's vending machine. Now, 35 years later, we have become a nation with far more snacking options. How many snack bars do you have stuffed in your purse or stashed in your desk? But through all the snack food craziness, there are healthy and no-so-healthy ways to munch between meals. What you choose to snack on and when you choose to snack make a big difference. Here are five questions to ask yourself to determine if you're really a healthy snacker: 1. Do you really need that snack? you snacking because you are truly hungry or for an emotional reason like boredom, excitement or stress? Are you snacking at an inappropriate time? If you just ate breakfast an hour ago or are going to eat dinner shortly, it's probably best to pass on the snack. Make it count: Plan one to three snack times daily. Someone who only needs 1,500 calories each day may need only one snack, while someone who has higher calorie needs or is very active should include two or three snacks a day. The best time to schedule a snack in your day is when you find yourself going five or more hours without eating. Also, if you find you tend to be hungry at the same time each day, that may be the perfect time for a snack.  2. Is this a snack or a treat?A snack is food that provides nutrients (such as protein, fiber and calcium) that your body needs to keep you healthy. A tr...
Source: Healthy Living - The Huffington Post - Category: Consumer Health News Source Type: news