Healthy Snacks

Most thinking adults today are very concerned with their diet, what they eat and how it effects the way they look and feel. Many of us are very conscious of the quality of the foods we eat and how it is prepared.

With an increase in health awareness comes a willingness to examine the way we eat as well as the food itself. Many nutritionists have been examing the relationship between the placing of meal times and Healthy Snacks in balancing our energy and nutrition needs over the day.

Snacking reduces the dips in your day, that are low blood sugar levels, leading to hunger pangs and the binge eating that follows.

In terms of weight management it is clear now that when you eat, is just as important as what you eat. Research has revealed that people who eat many meals over the day tend to have less trouble managing their weight. These meals can of course be snacks, Healthy Snacks.

Why Healthy Snacks

These discoveries do not give us complete freedom in what we snack on. The wrong types of snacks can lead to serious issues. Foods high in saturated fats, trans-fats and simple sugars are a severe risk for many diseases. The major ones today are, cancer, heart disease, diabetes and obesity.

A Healthy Snack on the other hand is an opportunity to boost the good things that a diet should contain. Fruits and nuts, vegetables and high GI carbohydrates usually contain large amounts of fibre and a low calorie count. Your low fat milk products contain high levels of minerals and vitamins without a rapid energy boost.

 

Seasonal Foods

Another good practice when preparing snacks is to only buy seasonl produce. These will be fresher and tastier and usually cheaper. Their nutrition will be at its best since they have not been sitting around for long periods in storage. The colours will be bright and appealing.

 

Preserved foods can be ok if they have been prepared in the right way. Canned fruits, like peaches and apricots are particularly nutritious if in natural juice rather than sugar syrups.

Dried fruit is convenient and quick as a snack but be aware that it is very concentrated in comparison to the fresh variety. A handful of dried fig is probably equal to a big bowl of fresh figs.

Some vegetables are available over most of the seasons and are good standbys for snacking. I am thinking here of things like carrots, cellery, tomatos and lettuce. A little fresh salad on a piece of high fibre rye bread is a great healthy snack.

 

Be Prepared

The biggest temptation with snacking is to grab something from a vending machine or a take away store - don't do it! Instead be prepared. Prepare some snacks the night or morning before you leave home and carry them in a small container. Have a few pieces of fruit or nuts in your bag just in case you get hungry.