How to Snack to Avoid Weight Gain

Whether you snack simply because you're bored or to stave off hunger until your next meal, snacking is one of the main reasons for weight gain. Healthy snacking can satisfy your hunger, help maintain a healthy weight and even help you to lose extra pounds. To avoid weight gain from snacking, try some of the following tips.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Assorted nuts and seeds
• Low-fat or fat-free dairy products
• Prepackaged snacks
• Fruits
• Vegetables
• Oatmeal
• Tuna

How to Snack to Avoid Weight Gain

1. Control hunger by snacking on healthy, low calorie or low fat snacks between meals.

2. Plan your snacks. Planning what you will snack on and how much will give you control over what you are snacking on.

3. Snack on nuts and seeds. Besides helping you to feel fuller longer different nuts offer different vitamins and nutrients. Choose an assortment to get the most benefit out of nuts.

4. Include dairy products. Choosing low-fat milk, yogurt and cheese products supply your body with important nutrients without all the fat and calories.

5. Pack some tuna. Tuna is an excellent source of protein and other nutrients. Eat tuna straight from the can or add it to a salad.

6. Load up on fruits and vegetables. Fruits and veggies are low in calories and provide essential fiber, vitamins, mineral and other nutrients for good health. Raw foods require more energy to digest than cooked foods.

7. Munch on oatmeal. Oatmeal is low in calories and high in dietary fiber to keep you feeling full. Add fresh fruit to oatmeal for variety.

8. Grab prepackaged snacks in a pinch. Prepackaged snacks are a convenient way take control over calories just watch the sugar and fat content.

9. Set aside sugary drinks. Choose water, tea or coffee. If you must have it sweetened, sweeten with honey or a sugar substitute.

10. Shun snacks 2 to 3 hours before going to bed. This is when the body slows down and doesn't burn many calories.

Tips & Warnings

• Oatmeal is not just a breakfast food.
• Prepackaged snacks are often high in sugar and fat content.

Resources

• 10 Ways to Snack and Lose Weight
• Healthy Snacks for Weight Loss Quiz

[FrazzledNanny]

on 6/26/2009 Losing weight is never easy. Thanks for the tips on snacks to avoid. 5*

[Desula]

on 9/12/2008 Great tips - this is great information on how to eat healthy and in turn lose weight!!!

[vivco]

on 1/14/2008 loved your article thanks vivco