Think Outside the Store-bought Box: Smart Snacking to Satisfy Your Cravings
Do you let snack attacks get the best of you? Typically, snacking gets a bad rap because the foods most often selected are processed and unhealthy, providing little to no nutritional value.
Think about the following fact: between-meal munching makes up nearly one quarter of your daily caloric intake. When reflecting on your own snack pattern, do you allow these calories to fuel your body with nutrients (fruits, vegetables, whole grains and healthy fats), or do you reach for something that falls short, simply satisfying a craving (chips, cookies, candy and processed food)?
If you are smart about your snack choices, you can allow those calories to meet daily requirements for fruits, vegetables, whole grains and healthy fats — while fueling your body.
Smart snacking can help you feel full and satisfied throughout the day, while also preventing you from overindulging at mealtime. One of the biggest challenges to smart snacking is overcoming cravings. You can do this simply by planning snacks ahead of time that satisfy a craving in a healthier way. Do you crave something salty, sweet or savory? See the suggestions below, and try one the next time you are faced with a snack attack!
Salty:
- ¼ cup black bean dip with fresh veggies (peppers, carrots, zucchini)
- 3 cups light microwave popcorn
- Pistachios in shells
- Lightly salted almonds
- 1 cup of edamame, lightly salted or with a spritz of lemon
Sweet:
- Bowl of blueberries and 2 tbsp. light whipped topping
- 1 container of Dannon Activia light nonfat yogurt (strawberry)
- Apple slices with 1 tbsp. peanut butter
- ¼ cup light vanilla yogurt and blueberries
Savory:
- 1 tbsp. low fat cream cheese in four pieces of celery drizzled with hot sauce
- 1 low fat string cheese wrapped in a slice of prosciutto, drizzled with balsamic vinegar, with olives or roasted bell peppers
- ½ cup baby carrots and 2 tbsp. hummus
- 3 oz. turkey and sliced tomato on 1 slice whole wheat bread
Combination:
- 1 brown rice cake or slice of whole wheat toast, with 2 tsp. peanut butter, a drizzle of honey and sliced strawberries
- Grapes and 1 oz. cubed low fat Swiss cheese
- 1 apple or pear with 1 stick of Sargento light mozzarella string cheese
About the author
Ms. Megan Petriello is an Assistant Vice President, Assistant Team Leader and a Fitness and Wellness Specialist on the Slainte Fitness team at USLI. Ms. Petriello enjoys staying active by teaching HIIT classes, running and strength training. Ms. Petriello gets the most enjoyment from living an active lifestyle, and she is an avid believer in the power of positive thinking!