fruit and granola

2018 Wellness Challenge 5–Choose healthy snacks!

Sometimes the hardest part about making healthy eating choices is resisting snacking…

Do you agree?

But, the GOOD NEWS is–we don’t need to resist snacking.

What? How can that be?

In fact, many nutrition experts advocate eating numerous small meals and healthy snacks throughout the day to help prevent us from over-eating or making poor food choices.

So…today, we’re discussing snacks–the fact that snacks are good for us.

But…you guessed it…there is a catch…

We need to select healthy snacks.

  • Fresh fruits and vegetables–keep a supply of prepared fresh fruits and veggies in your refrigerator–ALWAYS READY–for those times when you’ve “got to have a snack!” Those are the times we typically reach for the quick, but unhealthy snack foods.

 

 

  • Low fat and low sugar yogurt–garnish this healthy snack with fresh fruit and granola (in small amounts) for a healthy snack.

 

 

 

 

 

  • Nuts (in moderate amounts) are good for us! Walnuts and almonds are excellent choices. Be careful of portions–a small handful daily is optimal.

 

 

  • A few whole wheat crackers with peanut butter (remember moderation here) are a healthy snack. Sprinkle a few raisins on top for an added treat.
  • Keep healthy snacks in the car to resist the urge to stop at a drive through fast food restaurant. Take healthy snacks to work to keep away from the vending machines.
  • There are a few prepared snacks which aren’t bad choices, but please read the labels! Keep the snack below 100 calories. Keep fat and sugar grams low. Watch out for sodium!

So, what not to eat? Try to reduce those snacks that are loaded with the three culprits (fat, sugar, and sodium):

  • Fat–Cake, ice cream, chips, fried foods are loaded with calories from fat
  • Sugar–limit sweetened beverages (sodas, sweet tea, juices); reduce intake of candy, pies, cookies and other sugar loaded snacks
  • Sodium–Check labels and try to select snacks that are low in sodium (like veggies and fruit)

 

 

Healthy eating can bring joy! It doesn’t have to be a feeling of deprivation. Your body will thank you for making healthy choices.

 

If you’d like to share some healthy snack ideas, please share a comment! Wishing you blessings and healthy snacking, my friends!