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Healthy Snacking
21st December 2009How many times have you heard someone say, I had a bar of chocolate to keep me going'' or ''I haven't eaten anything all day so i had a packet of crisps''? When it comes to maintaining a good nutritious lifestyle, yes, lifestyle! Not a diet, as most diets don't work because people want a 'quick fix'.
However, people should know there is no 'quick fix', so don't believe all the celebrity magazines and their 'lose 4 stones in 4 weeks' articles. Now when it comes to a good nutritious lifestyle, snacking and snacking with the right foods is very important.
Good quality snacking has a lot to do with preparation. If you know that you will be out all day shopping, busy with work or in meetings, then taking 5-10mins of your morning to prepare a few snacks to help with long periods of your day where you may not be able to have a set meal, is vital in being consistent.
What usually happens is you don't prepare your snacks, so if you're out shopping, a quick snack could be a coffee and a cake or a low fat (but full of sugar!) muffin.
In the office, a vending machine full of quick snacks is usually the first choice, but it's ok if you choose to have Maltesers right? After all there is only 183 calories a bag! Well no, it's not all right! Here are a few tips to make it easier for yourself, to have a quick snack but at the same time have a snack that will keep blood sugar levels low and give you longer lasting energy avoiding carbohydrate cravings.
Tips for nutritious snacking:
- If you are out shopping all day, then carrying a bag of almonds with you is a great way to snack, providing a good source of protein and fibre. Nuts are also great to replace sweets which you may keep in your car. Go for natural organic nuts like Brazil nuts, walnuts, pecans and avoid the salted kind.
- Plastic containers of all sizes are a good way to carry your prepared snacks with you. A great snack of Greek yogurt with sliced kiwi (or choice of berries) and Agave nectar contains lots of nutrients and slow releasing protein.
- As mentioned before, preparation is vital in a nutritious lifestyle, so try to make things simple. If you are in the office most days, keep foods in your draw. Oat crackers and peanut butter don't take up to much space and provide a very quick and tasty snack.
- Protein drinks are not just for body builders. Protein shakes provide a quick and easy way of getting one of the most important ingredients for a lean body into your system, protein!
- Before you eat a snack, ask yourself 3 questions: 1. Does this food contain protein? 2. Does it contain fibre? 3. Does it contain slow burning carbohydrates? (foods that have a low glycemic index) If the answer to all 3 questions is a yes, then it is a good snack.
Remember to plan your day accordingly. Don't think because you have gone so long without food that it's ok to get away with chocolates and sweets. Choose and plan your snacks right, if you do this, then achieving your goals will be easier and less of a struggle.
John Wright
Total Body Personal Training
