FitSugar

5 Snacking Tips to Help You Lose Weight

FitSugar — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 03:30:00 -0700

I know the idea of snacking may seem like a great way to gain weight, but if you have a few smart snacking tactics under your belt, you'll actually be able to slim down. Check out these snacking tips from MSNBC.

Stop constant cravings: Most snackers reach for something unhealthy to nosh on but the problem isn't necessarily the type of food, but rather how much they eat. You can still satiate your sweet tooth, but just enjoy so in moderation. Enjoy one small square of dark chocolate instead of the whole bar, or two spoonfuls of ice cream instead of half the pint.
Liquid calories: Other beverages besides water can really rack up the calories. I'm not saying you should eliminate coffee, tea, or juice, but just be mindful of your calorie intake. Opt for water most of the time, so you can consume your calories in a more satisfying way with actual foods you crunch or chew.

For other great snacking tips read more.

Prepare for snack attacks: Sometimes your need to snack comes at you like a brick wall, and that's when you can end up reaching for the most convenient, and usually most unhealthy snack. So it's a good idea to stock up on whole grain, high-fiber, protein-packed snacks at home, in your purse, or in your desk drawer. Bags of nuts, dried fruit, granola bars, and fruit are easy to keep around.
Think baked, not fried: Choose healthier versions of your favorite snack foods. Baked potato chips or soy crisps are a much healthier option than regular potato chips, and nonfat yogurt is a better option than ones made with whole milk. Also, choose whole grain crackers and pretzels as opposed to the ones made with enriched flour.
Nutritious nibbles: If you get used to choosing healthy options like cheese sticks, yogurt, fruit, veggies and hummus, and nut butter on whole wheat toast, it'll become more of a habit. You'll soon realize that these kinds of snacks will give you more energy and curb your hunger more effectively than snacks filled with sugar and bad carbs. If your hunger is curbed, than you won't need to eat as much during the day, which will help you slim down.

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Avoid the Pitfalls of Afternoon Snacking

FitSugar — Fri, 22 Jun 2007 12:30:00 -0700

The hour of 3pm rolls around and the desire to snack hits hard. It makes sense since we all experience a natural slow down somewhere between lunch and dinner. If your lunch was heavy in the carb department, like say noodles, you will likely crave more carbs and if you skipped breakfast (naughty you) your afternoon hunger pains will be even more intense.

First off, don't ignore your hunger pains. You could end up grouchy, unable to concentrate, or both. Plus your chance of overeating at dinner increases. Take a moment to evaluate your hunger; are you bored or truly hungry? If you are bored, take yourself for a short walk. If you are hungry don't walk to the vending machine, there are rarely healthy options in those machines.

Aim to snack on foods that have some protein and some carbs - an apple with almond butter, melon and cottage cheese or yogurt, cucumber with light lox spread or my favorite "go to" snack hummus and veggies. Obviously these snacks take a little forethought, and if you haven't packed a snack try to find a package of raw or roasted (not honey roasted) nuts and a piece of fruit.

Healthy Eating Tip: Set Up Daily Snack Times

FitSugar — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 14:30:54 -0700

Snacks are an important part of a healthy diet. If you only eat three meals a day, you'll be starving by mealtimes, which most likely will result in overeating. Plus living with hunger pangs is a surefire way to become tired and moody, and you may not end up making it to your next meal before devouring the first unhealthy snack you set your eyes on. So while snacking is healthy, mindlessly snacking all day long isn't good either, since you'll end up consuming tons of extra calories and we all know what that means.

The best way to handle snacking is to set up a snack time (yes, just like when you were in preschool). Plan a morning snack for around 10:30 and an afternoon pick-me-up around 3:00. This way you will eat a little something in between meals without ruining your appetite. You also need to plan what you're going to eat during your snack time. Choose something that contains fiber and protein to fill you up and give you energy.

Don't know what to snack on? Here are some suggestions for the next time you have a Snack Attack.

Diet Tip: Set a Snack Time

FitSugar — Thu, 28 Jun 2007 03:00:00 -0700

Snacks are important part of dieting. It is true, since if you allow yourself to get too hungry you will often over eat, plus living with hunger pangs is a sure fire way to get a serious case of the crankies. And the having the crankies is a major reason folks break their diets. However, endless snacking is no good either because you start eating more calories than you are burning in a day.

To snack healthy you need to plan ahead so you have a healthy snack on hand. You also need to set a snack time and snack just at your snack time. I know is sounds like kindergarten, but having a schedule can prevent you from over-snacking (which is just like overeating but often goes unnoticed since the eating is spread out over the course of a day).

Plan a morning snack for around 10:30 and an afternoon pick-me-up around 3:00 - this way you will eat a little something in between meals without ruining your appetite.

Don't what to snack on? Here's some suggestions for the next time you have a Snack Attack.

Fit Tip: Eat A Snack Before Working Out

FitSugar — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 09:30:00 -0800

Most of us have said that we are absolutely starving after working out, including me. To avoid this post workout, "I'm going to die unless I get some food in me" attack, be sure to eat a carbohydrate loaded snack before you work out. This snack should have at least 100 calories, but try to go no higher than 200 calories. I like to snack on a Luna Bar myself. Furthermore, be sure you're properly hydrated, as thirst can be mistaken for hunger, especially after you've just sweat buckets at the gym.

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Healthy Eating Tip: Snack on Small Servings of Leftovers

FitSugar — Fri, 15 May 2009 12:00:00 -0700

Crackers, fruit, and granola bars are common snacks, but who says a snack has to be made from "snack food"? Smaller servings of leftovers make great snacks. Just prepare yourself a serving size that's 200 calories or less. Last night's soup, a piece of chicken on a small piece of bread, some pasta and cheese, or roasted veggies make great snacks. Not only will you be getting a unique and healthy snack pick-me-up, but it's a great way to make sure leftovers don't go to waste.

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Fit Tip: Snack on Vitamin A Foods After a Workout

FitSugar — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 14:30:00 -0800

After a workout, it's a good idea to have a little snack. It helps refuel your body and gives you energy after exerting so much. As I've said before, try to eat something rich in protein to help rebuild your damaged muscle tissue. The snack should also be high in vitamin A because just like the amino acids in protein, this nutrient also helps repair microtears that occur in muscles. Not only that but vitamin A helps produce white blood cells so you can fight off infection, which is perfect if you work out in a public facility, especially during cold and flu season. Some great snack ideas include carrots, carrot juice, mango, dried apricots, red pepper, sweet potato, spinach, and eggs.

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Healthy Eating Tip: Ditch the Communal Snacking

FitSugar — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 12:00:00 -0700

There's something about football season that brings big groups together. I love watching games with a group of friends, but it can do a number on my hard work at eating healthy. One thing I have realized is that it's difficult to keep track of how much I've eaten if I'm eating out of the same bowl, or bag, as my football buddies. While it's tempting to just keep taking from the communal snack bowls because everyone else is chowing down, that often leads to mindless eating and a whole lot of calories. Instead, place a reasonable portion on your own plate and limit yourself to that. This way you'll still be able to enjoy all the goodies and the game, but you won't be overeating the snacks.

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Healthy Eating Tip: Snack For Nutritional Gaps

FitSugar — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 03:30:00 -0700

Eating between meals, has definitely gotten a bad rap, but snacking can be good for you. Many nutritionist think we should eat at least every four to five hours. So if you eat lunch at noon and dinner at 8:00, you're going to need a snack to make it through the long afternoon. I like to plan my snacks, just like I would my lunch, and I like to use them to fill nutritional gaps.

When I feel I am not getting enough daily calcium, I snack on cheese sticks or yogurt. The protein fills me up and calcium helps my bones. If I feel like I am lacking in iron, I munch on some edamame and some red pepper. The vitamin C in the red pepper helps my body absorb the iron in those baby soybeans. Make your snacks do double duty. Your body, especially your belly, will appreciate your effort.

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Diet Tip: Don't Graze! Make a Snack

FitSugar — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 13:00:00 -0700

If you eat lunch at noon, but don't dine until the sun goes down, chances are high you're going to need a something-something to tide you over until dinner. Around three or four in the afternoon, you probably start craving some sustenance. If you're watching what you eat and trying to limit the number of calories you consume, you may be tempted to head into the office lunch room for "just one bite" of the brownies your co-worker brought in, or just one pretzel, or just one whatever. This won't satisfy your hunger though, and you'll probably end up going back again and again for more "bites." This habit of grazing may make it seem like you're eating less calories, but you'll probably end up eating more since you're not really keeping track of how much you're eating.

Instead of grazing, make yourself a healthy snack. You'll feel so much more satisfied when you can sit down and really enjoy what you prepared, and you'll have more control over the amount of calories. Here are some healthy snack ideas that should help cure your cravings.

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