As a health coach I inevitably get asked two questions: Can I have snacks? What should I be eating?
Yes, of course you can eat snacks. I like snacks and find that if I go more than 4 hours without eating I start to fade and my concentration isn't the best. A lot of people think of snacks as chips, pretzles, candy, etc. I think of those more as treats. A snack is something to tide you over until meal time and a treat is a special item that you don't eat regularly.
There are some great snack choices available, no matter where you are. I carry snacks with me when I know I'll be out working, running errands or out of the house all day. I keep portable items such as fruit, yogurt, nuts, trailmix, or a healthy energy bar, like a Larabar, in my bag. This way when I'm hungry I'm not grabbing for the first thing I see. I know the ingredients are healthy and it's something I enjoy.
On the off chance that I do forget my snack or I've missed a meal and need an additional snack, I know I have options. At a deli or convenience store I will get a piece of fruit and either a string cheese or a yogurt. Sometimes they have the small servings of hummus and baby carrots - I love those. At the drug store I'll pick up a Larabar or a Bora Bora bar - something made with fruit, nuts and other ingredients I recognize. If I can't pronounce it, I don't buy it. I've even run into a fast food place and purchased the small yogurt parfait or a salad. I just go in with a plan and stick to it so I'm not walking out with french fries and then wishing I ate something healthier.
What are your favorite snack strategies?
Are you looking to put together a healthier eating plan but not sure where to start? Send me an email, janinemchale@empoweredplate.com, and we can see if I am the one to help you get started. You can also visit my webpage: http://empoweredplate.com/.
No comments:
Post a Comment