Healthy Eating …Snacking is it good for you ?

 

Snacking can be an important part of your diet if you stick to a few simple rules…It is healthy to snack if you have a long time between the next meal…sticking it out generally doesn’t work..you will either head for the biscuit tin or the fridge and have just one…?

It can also help stop you overeating at meal times because you are just soooo hungry…

What do you need to watch out for?

Portion Size:

Guessing is easy but very rarely works you may err on the side of caution and underestimate or you could be way over…

Pick foods which are low in added fat and sugars but high in fibre and water content, for example, an Apple ticks all the boxes a bag of chips/crisps, unfortunately, doesn’t.

I have read many publications which state aim for fruit, vegetables, whole-grain foods or low-fat dairy...I steer clear of anything which screams at me low fat as that generally means high sugar as for the taste to be palatable something else has to be added if fat is taken away…which means sugar if a list of ingredients has sugar or corn syrup in the first few ingredients buyer beware…

Another pitfall is recipes saying only 46 calories each which is what I came across the other day when researching for this post…Broccoli and Cheese Bites they were called and looked delicious really appetising…

The list of ingredients: broccoli, cream cheese, cheddar cheese, parmesan cheese, flour, eggs and various spices…that made them sound even more delicious I could taste them…cook them in a mini muffin pan which I happen to have and they are mini…trust me…HOWEVER…and this is where the kicker comes in something as delicious sounding and I am sure they also smelt amazing…4 would take me to just under 200cals… 5 would take me over…Looking at them I could have easily eaten 5 and some…I would also want a drink…cheese makes you thirsty…

I will definitely make these at some point…just not at the moment when I am trying to get back into my healthy eating and lose the few pounds I have added during the lockdowns and the festive season…sigh…something to look forward to…xx

Some healthy snacks…

  • Apples (dried or cut into wedges), 1 medium or ¼ cup (35 grams)
  • Bananas, 1 medium
  • Raisins, ¼ cup (35 grams)
  • Fruit leather (dried fruit puree) without added sugar…I love the mango one it is very nice if you can get it..
  • Carrots (regular carrots julienned, or baby carrots ), 1 cup (130 grams)
  • Snap peas (the pods are edible), 1.5 cups (350 grams)
  • Nuts, 1 oz. (28 grams) (about 23 almonds)
  • Whole-grain dry cereal (if sugar is not listed as one of the first 2 ingredients), ¾ cup (70 grams)…don’t forget to count the milk as all cereal absorb milk differently and you could use 125ml or 200ml…just be aware.
  • Pretzels, 1 oz. (28 grams)
  • Yolida Natural live Yoghurt per 150gm serving 100 cals…with serving of 2 fresh passionfruits @34 cals each.
  • Air-popped popcorn, 3 cups (33 grams)
  • Cherry or grape tomatoes, ½ cup (120 grams)
  • Hummus, ½ cups (120 grams)
  • Pumpkin seeds in the shell, ½ cup (18 grams)

If you pair the protein with carbs you will feel fuller for longer  for example:

  • Wholewheat cracker with Peanut Butter
  • Natural yoghurt with fruit
  • Hummus with carrot or bell pepper ..julienned.

Plan Ahead:

Measure out portions and put in a container/bag…if you are going out pop one or two in your bag or keep some portions in the fridge or cupboard if you are measuring cereal…it saves searching the fridge or cupboards or picking something up from a corner shop.

At home, if you or your family snack while watching TV…

Measure a portion into individual bowls rather than just dipping into a big bowl or packet you will invariably eat more.

Above all pick foods you enjoy, eating should be enjoyable, simple and not stressful…xxx

Thank you for dropping in and reading this post please leave a comment as any tips or comments I treasure… as you all know I just love to chat…Love Carol xx

35 thoughts on “Healthy Eating …Snacking is it good for you ?”

  1. Tomrebro

    Eating fermented foods like saurkraut will help with cravings. Also water and conscious eating. Eat some and take a few breathes and a drink of water and see if you want more. If you need more eat a little more. Do that until you are satisfied but haven’t over eaten.

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  6. Victoria Zigler (@VictoriaZigler)

    Though I admit I don’t always go for the healthy options – I’m looking at you vegan chocolate, vegan gummy bears, vegan marshmallows, vegan fudge, and salt and vinegar crisps – most of the time I will go for the healthier option. I don’t even make cakes and biscuits very often any more, though that’s what I do when I decide I really want one (partially because I figure if I want it that badly I’ll make them myself which will be a bit healthier, and partially because I’m really not a fan of the vegan cakes and biscuits you can buy in the shops anyhow).
    My favourite snacks – when I don’t give in to temptation – in no particular order, are popcorn, nut butter on crackers or oat cakes, humous with veggies, a piece of fresh fruit, a handful of nuts or seeds or dried fruit, pretzels, and vegan yogurt with fruit. The ones I have most are pretzels, popcorn, dried or fresh fruit, nuts, and seeds… Especially the fresh fruit and the nuts.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. CarolCooks2 Post author

      Temptation is around every corner at times it seems but as long as we are mindful most of the time thats ok, Tori.. X it sounds like you are doing well x

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  8. acflory

    Great post, Carol. I can’t handle breakfast first thing in the morning, but 2 hours later I’m starving. My solution is to eat raw almonds. I have no idea how many calories they have but I eat two big handfuls, so maybe 1/2 a cup? They can keep me going for hours. And yes, I’m working on some Covid-kilos as well. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. CarolCooks2 Post author

      As we all are methinks, Meeks…sigh…I can’t stomach breakfast too early I used to but not now my starving moment is normally mid to late afternoon and then its walnuts for me…x

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      1. acflory

        lol – walnuts are very nice too, but only when they’re fresh. I bought some in the shell from a farmer’s market…oh, you know, BC…and they were divine. The ones from the supermarket seem to be kind of stale so I stick to the almonds. Hazelnuts and cashews are yum too…mmm….

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  9. petespringerauthor

    Good tips! One of my tricks is drinking a lot of water before a meal. It helps me get filled up. Unfortunately, I spend the rest of the night peeing. 😂

    Liked by 1 person

  11. beetleypete

    My most recent snack was half a bag of pistachio nuts, the night before last. I confess that I did not adhere to portion size, and once I had started, I emptied the bag!
    Best wishes, Pete.

    Liked by 1 person

  13. marianbeaman

    To the question in your blog today, I hoped the answer is YES, and it is, but with conditions. I know an apple would be a great snack, but sometimes I have to have a bite of chocolate – full disclosure here. Ha!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. CarolCooks2 Post author

      I know the feeling when only chocolate will do and that is ok, Marian…never feel guilty although I am sure you don’t…Ha! But rest assurred any disclosures on this blog stay on this blog…x

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