What you eat between meals can make or break your diet. Every bite matters. Many dieters fail to lose weight simply because they snack on the wrong foods, or overindulge in healthy foods. For instance, one serving of walnuts boasts over 180 calories and 18 grams of fat. If you don’t watch your portions, it’s easy to go overboard.
Here are five easy ways to snack smarter and get the body you’re after:
Boost Your Fiber Intake
Dietary fiber promotes satiety and regulates blood sugar. Ideally, your snacks should be high in fiber and low in calories. Apples, berries, whole wheat crackers, oatmeal, and multi-grain bars are a good choice. Just make sure you check the sugar content.
Track Your Portions
According to experts, portion control is the key to fighting obesity. Even the healthiest foods can lead to weight gain. It all comes down to serving sizes. Just because peanut butter is good for you, it doesn’t mean you can overindulge. Eat mindfully and stick to your daily calorie target. Try not to exceed 200 calories per snack.
Make Healthier Choices
From low sugar fruit to pumpkin seeds and raw nuts, there are plenty of healthy foods to enjoy between meals. Forget about potato chips, energy bars, and cookies. These treats pack hundreds of calories per serving, and have little nutritional value. Replace them with homemade crackers, kale chips, Greek yogurt, cottage cheese, blueberries, and low-carb, high-protein bars.
Enjoy Every Bite
Don’t snack while watching the latest chick flick or late night TV show. Turn off the TV and computer while snacking. Studies indicate that watching TV or surfing the web could distract people from realizing how much they’re actually eating. Enjoy every bite, chew slowly, and focus on your food.
Keep Healthy Snacks at Hand
Plan ahead and carry a small bag of healthy treats in your car, pocket, or purse. This way, you’ll avoid temptation and make better choices. For example, make your own trail mix and store it in small paper bags. Keep a bag in your purse, one at the office, and another one in the kitchen.
