How to Choose Healthy Snacks

Snacking is not necessarily a bad thing. Snacks are actually important for both children and adults. It provides the energy for the various activities we all engage in. It also helps us to not overeat at meal time. It is essential that our snack choices are reasonably healthy to provide the proper nutrients and energy we need.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

1. Go grocery shopping on a full stomach. This way you are not tempted to buy foods that look good but are really loaded with calories. Most of the time, we are tempted to buy unhealthy junk food when we are hungry.
2. Avoid taking children with you because they will most likely make you buy unhealthy snacks. If you have to take them, feed them before you leave and let them know ahead of time that they are not to ask for candy or inappropriate snacks at the store.
3. Pick snacks that provide nutrition. Read the labels to see what is in the snacks.
4. Avoid snacks that have a high calorie content. Some of them may as many calories as a meal!
5. Choose a variety of snacks that contain whole grains, as they provide fiber and complex carbohydrates and assist in withstanding hunger longer.
6. Fruits and vegetables are healthy options because they are packed with nutrients, vitamins and minerals. They also provide fiber and are low in fat and sodium.
7. Snacking on nuts provides some good fats and protein.
8. Get low-fat dairy products for the calcium and other vitamins they supply.
9. Drinks lots of water. This keeps your stomach full and prevents you from overeating.
10. Eat small portions or break snacks into two servings.
11. Avoid fatty or greasy food.