Do you find yourself snacking regularly throughout the day? Are you tempted to reach for cookies sitting on the counter? Does your mouth water when you think about salty potato chips?
More likely than not, you have experienced a food craving at some point in time. Whether this was for something sweet or salty, cravings can lead to snacking to help subdue or satisfy the mouthwatering urge. But why do we crave random snacks at various points in time?
Snacking typically occurs for one of three reasons:
- To satisfy a craving
- Hunger
- Boredom
When consumed correctly, snacking does not need to be viewed as a bad habit or a negative. In fact, eating healthy snacks throughout the day can help manage your hunger, regulate blood sugar levels, and acquire the recommended number of macronutrients (protein, carbohydrates and fats).
Here are a few tips to make sure that if you snack, it is healthy and effective!
Meal Prep Your Snacks
Snacking often occurs when the time is convenient and snacks are easily accessible. To prevent grabbing something unhealthy because it’s the first thing you see, prep your healthy snacks ahead of time. Reference the list below for some on-the-go snacks!
| Salty | Sweet | Protein-rich |
| Mixed nuts | Dates with nut butter | Hard-boiled egg |
| Rice cakes | Fruit with yogurt dip | Cottage cheese |
| Kale chips | Apple with almond butter | Greek yogurt |
| Roasted chickpeas | Chia seed pudding | Sliced veggies with hummus |
Practice Mindfulness
When your cravings or the need to snack builds, ask yourself if you are stressed, bored, angry or upset. Rather than letting emotions dictate your diet, try this breathing technique: Inhale for four seconds, hold for four seconds, and exhale for four seconds. Repeat for five cycles. Use this technique to center your thoughts and actions.
Eat Well-rounded Meals
To prevent midday hunger from driving you to snack, ensure you are consuming well-rounded meals that include the three macronutrients: fats, carbohydrates and proteins. Learn more about the importance of protein and staying satisfied throughout the day from this article.
The next time you feel your stomach grumble or are tempted to reach for a cookie, think about why you may be wanting to snack. Try substituting it with a sweet chia seed pudding to crave your sweet tooth or a rice cake to satisfy the salty craving.
By: Jenna Linstra
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