Monday, May 2, 2011

Snack Attack

Often times, when people are trying to lose weight or get healthy they have a good handle on meal times. They learn how to create well balanced meals with protein, carbs and loads of veggies. They even have a handle on exercise, knowing how much to do and what to do on certain days. Where they fall short? Those in-between meal times where they walk into the kitchen ready to eat whatever is in sight.

Beware. It can make or break your success. 

So this week, I challenge you to
plan your snacks!

Really. I think we often think of planning and preparation for the week and we make lists of meals and exercise schedules. But do you plan what you will grab when you get that nagging feeling at 3:00 pm? 

5

So this week, instead of just grabbing that bag of chips, followed by a granola bar and some pretzels, (those foods don’t have to be bad, but all of them at once? no thanks.) know what to grab BEFORE it happens. This could also mean packing a snack to put in your bag or backpack if you know you'll be gone awhile. Then there is no need to visit those darn vending machines!

apples-ca

Here are some easy snack ideas:
  • crave something salty? try some air popped popcorn with a little sea salt
  • crave something crunchy? try a handful (about 10 – 12) of almonds or a bigger handful (20-25) of pistachios
  • one of my favorites: celery with peanut butter!
  • 1/2 c. of cottage cheese with some peaches
  • baby carrots and hummus
  • a hard boiled egg with some sliced sweet peppers
  • 10 crackers with little slices of turkey or cheese on it
  • apple and peanut butter
  • 1/2 c. yogurt with fruit
  • green smoothie
peanutbutter

There are so many options! Just don’t go grazing. That usually leads to unhealthy choices and over eating. A snack should be small enough to make you hungry again in a few hours, but not so small that you are hungry before the next meal. Try drinking lots of water while you snack too…it will help you stay full AND hydrated. Happy snacking!

~What are your favorite go to snacks?


10 comments:

  1. I love dipping honey wheat pretzels into laughing cow cheese wedge. Great combo!

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  2. Great snack ideas, thanks!
    I often end up hungry and grabbing a snack that I hadn't planned, so this is useful for me!
    :)

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  3. Great ideas! I love to pre-package snacks for the week. Makes it so much easier to grab and go when I am headed out the door.

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  4. Hey! I havent talked to you in forever, but when I read your blog it blew my mind. I love making granola bars and I really needed a new recipe, mine stinks. I am trying yours tonight!

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  5. this is SO true for me. I always feel like I eat great at meals and then snack on chocolate all day. eeek! My favorite snack though is a granny smith apple, an orange or carrots...I am obsessed with carrots :) I just gotta remember to choose them over the chocolate

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  6. I've been on a RyeKrisp cracker with low sodium hummus kick. YUM!!!

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  7. I love apples with peanut butter and wheat thins with laughing cow cheese, yum!

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  8. Hey, I am a new follower! Thanks for the snack ideas. My favorite is slices apples w/ PB and a few saltine crackers.

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  9. I still can't wait to try our granola bars. Once I'm done with finals this week I am going to go into a cooking frenzy!!:)

    Hmm, my go-to snacks are usually apples (sometimes with PB, sometimes with cheese). String cheese/yogurt. Granola bars. Popcorn:)

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