We all feel the need to nibble between meals at some time or
other while we are trying to lose weight and keep fit. Healthy snacking
can play an important part in our weight loss and fitness regime. By
eating regular healthy, nutritious snacks, we will burn more calories
and fat, not to mention preventing that hollow empty feeling.
The key to snacking healthily is to know what foods are advantageous and which are detrimental to our diet. Once we have the knowledge of what we can and cannot include in our snacks and treats, we can form a strategy that will not jeopardize our diet. Here is a list of things to consider which may help us snack healthily and achieve dieting success.
A - Forward Planning
Quite often, if we get an attack of the munchies, we eat the first thing that comes to hand. If we have just done an intense workout or not eaten for some time, we just want instant sustenance, in whatever form. This eagerness to eat drives us to grab whatever is before our eyes. It may be crisps, bread or any number of high-calorie, unhealthy foods, by planning in advance, we can always have something healthy at hand.
It is often a good idea to prepare a variety of healthy nibbles, by placing them either in the front of our refrigerator or food cupboards, they are the first thing we see. As these snacks are ready to eat, we can divert our attentions away from unhealthy, fattening alternatives. Have a nice bowl of sliced fresh fruit such as melon, orange wedges, berries or peaches chilling in the refrigerator. Not only are these healthy snacks, but also very refreshing if we have just done an intense workout. Try slicing raw fresh vegetables, carrots, celery, spring onions and cauliflower. These can be delicious with a home made, low calorie dip. Dried fruits are useful for a quick healthy snack, a couple dried apricots, prunes or sultanas. If they are readily at hand, we will be sure to eat them, rather than having to prepare something, which is sure to be fattening. Ideally it would be better to not have unhealthy foods in our homes, but most of us have parents, husbands, wives or children, and this just is not an option. The only alternative is to try to keep them out of our sight to prevent temptation.
B - Make Our Own Take Away.
Perhaps we are going out shopping, or have to go on a long journey, meaning we will be out and about for sometime. Why not prepare a small healthy snack to take along with us, it will prevent us heading for a take away or be tempted into a snack bar? A small pack of dried fruit and nuts, or a few pieces of fresh fruit or sliced vegetables, a few crackers with low fat cream cheese, they need little or no preparation and are easily packed.
C - Know Which Foods We Need To Avoid.
Some foods, although healthy, often need to be eaten in moderation. Many are high in calories, fat or sugar. Salmon, mackerel, some meats, oils, nuts, dairy products, should be regulated within our diet, including our snacks. Providing we combine these with low calorie accompaniments and have only small portions, there is no reason that we cannot enjoy them as a snack or meal.
D - Make Food Exciting And Appealing.
Creativity in our menu planning and presentation of our food all benefit our diet. By making our food more exciting and appetising, we will be less likely to get bored or be attracted to more fattening options. It can be so easy to spice up a boring salad or make a tasty wrap instead of a common sandwich. By using our imagination we can even create something exciting using only vegetables. Try a delicious stir fry, or a tasty ratatouille. By increasing the variety and flavour of the food we prepare, we are much more likely to stay focused and stay with a healthy eating plan.
E - We Can Allow A Little Flexibility.
We will all find ourselves in a situation where we have no healthy snack options, or we fancy something we know we should not eat, but are so tempted.
We can employ a little flexibility, nothing is written in stone. If we fancy a little treat, why not? We can adjust our calorie count throughout the day to allow ourselves this treat. Some diets allow us to save some of our calories over a week, allowing us to indulge in perhaps a glass of wine or tempting treat at the weekend.
F - Decide What We Really Want To Eat.
When we are hungry, we tend to be indecisive, not really knowing which snack food we are really tempted by. Do we want savoury or sweet, hot or cold, spicy or rich? Healthy snacking can involve many emotional decisions, depending on what mood we are in and what we crave. Once we have reached a decision on exactly what will satisfy us, our snack choice is easy.
G - Try Introducing Variety With New Ingredients.
It can be so easy to become bored and bogged down by our diet. We often fall into a pattern of repeating the same snacks over and over again. They may be our favourites, or perhaps they are snacks that are quick and easy to prepare, so it makes our life easier. Whatever the reason, the introduction of new ingredients and flavours, all combined help us stop the boredom setting in. Experiment with spices and herbs to enhance our dishes. Perhaps there are various fruit and vegetables we have never tried, why not see what they taste like, we may love them. Invest in a new recipe book or use the internet, there are so many ways to re-invent our snacks, making them much more balanced and healthy.
Article Source:
http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dave_Townley
The key to snacking healthily is to know what foods are advantageous and which are detrimental to our diet. Once we have the knowledge of what we can and cannot include in our snacks and treats, we can form a strategy that will not jeopardize our diet. Here is a list of things to consider which may help us snack healthily and achieve dieting success.
A - Forward Planning
Quite often, if we get an attack of the munchies, we eat the first thing that comes to hand. If we have just done an intense workout or not eaten for some time, we just want instant sustenance, in whatever form. This eagerness to eat drives us to grab whatever is before our eyes. It may be crisps, bread or any number of high-calorie, unhealthy foods, by planning in advance, we can always have something healthy at hand.
It is often a good idea to prepare a variety of healthy nibbles, by placing them either in the front of our refrigerator or food cupboards, they are the first thing we see. As these snacks are ready to eat, we can divert our attentions away from unhealthy, fattening alternatives. Have a nice bowl of sliced fresh fruit such as melon, orange wedges, berries or peaches chilling in the refrigerator. Not only are these healthy snacks, but also very refreshing if we have just done an intense workout. Try slicing raw fresh vegetables, carrots, celery, spring onions and cauliflower. These can be delicious with a home made, low calorie dip. Dried fruits are useful for a quick healthy snack, a couple dried apricots, prunes or sultanas. If they are readily at hand, we will be sure to eat them, rather than having to prepare something, which is sure to be fattening. Ideally it would be better to not have unhealthy foods in our homes, but most of us have parents, husbands, wives or children, and this just is not an option. The only alternative is to try to keep them out of our sight to prevent temptation.
B - Make Our Own Take Away.
Perhaps we are going out shopping, or have to go on a long journey, meaning we will be out and about for sometime. Why not prepare a small healthy snack to take along with us, it will prevent us heading for a take away or be tempted into a snack bar? A small pack of dried fruit and nuts, or a few pieces of fresh fruit or sliced vegetables, a few crackers with low fat cream cheese, they need little or no preparation and are easily packed.
C - Know Which Foods We Need To Avoid.
Some foods, although healthy, often need to be eaten in moderation. Many are high in calories, fat or sugar. Salmon, mackerel, some meats, oils, nuts, dairy products, should be regulated within our diet, including our snacks. Providing we combine these with low calorie accompaniments and have only small portions, there is no reason that we cannot enjoy them as a snack or meal.
D - Make Food Exciting And Appealing.
Creativity in our menu planning and presentation of our food all benefit our diet. By making our food more exciting and appetising, we will be less likely to get bored or be attracted to more fattening options. It can be so easy to spice up a boring salad or make a tasty wrap instead of a common sandwich. By using our imagination we can even create something exciting using only vegetables. Try a delicious stir fry, or a tasty ratatouille. By increasing the variety and flavour of the food we prepare, we are much more likely to stay focused and stay with a healthy eating plan.
E - We Can Allow A Little Flexibility.
We will all find ourselves in a situation where we have no healthy snack options, or we fancy something we know we should not eat, but are so tempted.
We can employ a little flexibility, nothing is written in stone. If we fancy a little treat, why not? We can adjust our calorie count throughout the day to allow ourselves this treat. Some diets allow us to save some of our calories over a week, allowing us to indulge in perhaps a glass of wine or tempting treat at the weekend.
F - Decide What We Really Want To Eat.
When we are hungry, we tend to be indecisive, not really knowing which snack food we are really tempted by. Do we want savoury or sweet, hot or cold, spicy or rich? Healthy snacking can involve many emotional decisions, depending on what mood we are in and what we crave. Once we have reached a decision on exactly what will satisfy us, our snack choice is easy.
G - Try Introducing Variety With New Ingredients.
It can be so easy to become bored and bogged down by our diet. We often fall into a pattern of repeating the same snacks over and over again. They may be our favourites, or perhaps they are snacks that are quick and easy to prepare, so it makes our life easier. Whatever the reason, the introduction of new ingredients and flavours, all combined help us stop the boredom setting in. Experiment with spices and herbs to enhance our dishes. Perhaps there are various fruit and vegetables we have never tried, why not see what they taste like, we may love them. Invest in a new recipe book or use the internet, there are so many ways to re-invent our snacks, making them much more balanced and healthy.