Not everybody likes to eat three big meals a day, and smaller snacks can help keep energy levels high. However, you do need to keep an eye on what you are eating to ensure you don’t take in unnecessary calories. Follow these simple strategies to snack smarter.
· If you do feel like snacking on something naughty, measure out the proper portion size. Often, by the time you have eaten a smaller portion, you will feel just as satisfied and far less guilty.
· Grazing all day tends to take away the feeling of hunger, and it’s tempting to eat simply because it’s time. When you do snack, pay attention to what you eat and savour every bite, and don’t eat in front of the television.
· Choose snacks made from whole foods like nuts, fruits and veggies that contain healthy fats, more protein and fibre and which keep you full for longer. Also, these snacks tend to be healthier for teeth.
· Before working out, make sure you have a small snack, ideally aiming for something with about 30% protein, 60% carbohydrate and 10% fat. Good choices include a medium banana chopped up into half a cup of low-fat plain Greek yoghurt or cottage cheese. Alternatively fill a small whole-wheat pita with a small portion of sliced turkey, salad and mustard.