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Thursday, January 8, 2015

Snacking For Better Nutrition

Living Well


"When done right, (snacking) keeps your energy levels up and gives you more opportunities to get in all your nutritional needs." ~ Susan Bowerman, RD, assistant director of the UCLA Center for Human Nutrition Source: health.com


Snacking


Healthy nutritious snacks can be an excellent addition to a  well- balanced diet. A snack is a small portion of food in between meals. Proper snacking habits can be advantageous or a hinder based on the choices you make.

Guidelines to Snacking
By: Lisa Whitemore, Real Simple “A Guide To Healthy Snacking”

Snack After a Meal and Gauge Your HungerRule of thumb! Most people become noticeable hungry after 3 hours of having a meal.

Choose A Nutrient Balanced SnackRule of thumb! 150 to 250 calories, about 3 grams of fiber, 5 grams of protein, and no more than 12 grams of fat.

Snack MindfullyRule of Thumb! Eat from a dish. We tend to associate a clean plate with satisfaction and a feeling of fullness. Slow down and enjoy.

I recently surveyed loyal Illuminated Living readers for questions regarding snacking, and here a couple of questions, along with leading advice.


You Wanted To Know

Question: Although, snacks are healthy can you have too much of a good thing?

Answer: Snacking in and of itself isn’t necessarily bad.  Snacking should not be used as a meal replacement, but as bridge between meals. The  key to incorporating snacks into your weight-loss plan is to keep moderation and balance in mind.


Question: What are some snack alternatives for those allergic to nuts? 

Answer: Many combinations of fruits and vegetables are available based on your 
preference.  The key is portion control. Blogger, Ashley of Our Full Table has provides a free printable of over 100 snacks under 100 calories by Category.

Visit Our Full Table to download

Until next time… Make nutritious choices and Eat To Live!



Thanks for reading Illuminated Living

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