5 Best Practices for Snacking Better and Healthier Every Day
Snacking is eating small, often quick and convenient snacks between meals. It can help to fill in nutritional gaps, provide a boost of energy, and help to maintain a healthy weight. However, snacking can sometimes become an unhealthy practice due to the food taken.
Typical snacks include chips, crackers, nuts, fruits, and candy. Snacking may be used to provide energy or to satisfy cravings between meals. But how do people make snacking healthier? Here are the best practices for making snacking better every day.
1. Choose Nutrients Over Calories
Snacking is an opportunity to get in more nutrients. Reach for snacks high in protein, fibre, vitamins, and minerals. For example, instead of chips, try air-popped popcorn. Instead of candy, try nuts or fruit. With a few smart choices, snacking can become part of your day.
Nuts are another great snack option. They are packed with protein, fibre, and healthy fats, making them a great energy source. Meanwhile, fruit is also an excellent snack option. Fruits are a great source of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, which help to protect your cells from damage.
2. Include All Food Groups
Snacking can be a great way to get in more servings of fruits and vegetables. Reach for cut-up vegetables such as carrots, celery, peppers, and cucumbers. People can also add a dip such as hummus or guacamole to add a different flavour profile to the mix.
If you’re looking for a sweet snack, try adding a piece of fruit. Apples, bananas, and oranges are great options. For a more filling snack, pair a piece of fruit with a handful of nuts or a few slices of cheese. Never snack on sweet food; considered junk food as it is all sugar and has no nutrients.
3. Add Whole Foods to the Mix
Include some whole foods in your snack options. Whole foods are foods that have not been processed and are usually much healthier than processed foods. Examples of whole foods include nuts, seeds, dried fruit, and whole-grain crackers, all great snack options.
Whole foods are ideal snacks as they increase satiety, decrease cravings, and reduce palatability for extended periods. As a result, people snacking on them will not feel hungry a few hours after—which is vital in ensuring a healthy snacking practice.
4. Consider Serving Sizes
When choosing snacks, consider the serving sizes. Snack serving sizes should be small enough that they don’t add too many calories to your daily intake but still provide enough energy to keep you going until your next meal. For example, a serving of nuts or crackers should be no more than 1-2 ounces.
5. Plan Snacking Schedules
Planning your snacking schedule can help you stay on track and ensure you get the right amount of calories and nutrients throughout the day. Make sure to plan your snacks around when you will be the hungriest, such as between meals or after a workout. Planning will help you stay energized and focused throughout the day.
Conclusion
Snacking can be a great way to boost energy levels, provide essential nutrients, and help you stay on track with your health and nutrition goals. However, it is crucial to choose the right snacks to ensure you’re getting the essential nutrients your body needs. Therefore, knowing which practices to follow while snacking should improve the practice. Consider snacking today, choose the best food, and discover new eating habits moving forward.
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