SNACK TIME!

Snacking throughout the day is important to plan into our schedules in order to maintain normal blood sugar levels, keep our metabolism moving and most importantly to prevent over-eating during meal times.  There are a number of quick easy-to-make snacks that take as much time to prepare (or less) rather than going for that new 100-calorie snack pack right at your eye level on the grocery store shelves.

Though producers have done a fairly decent job in “portioning” out a proper-sized snack, when you reach for that 100-calorie packet of chips, popcorn, cookies or chocolate, what you also get is added sodium, cholesterol, carbohydrates and fat.  These are the added nutrients product manufacturers need to put in ANY packaging in order for them to stay ‘fresh’ on the shelves for a longer period of time.  It is important to be able to differentiate between a “healthy” and “unhealthy” snack, and make a conscious decision for the good of your own health.  Reaching for one of these “treats” is not a sin when done on occasion, however, there are healthier options that not only give us that mid-day calorie boost, but also provide our diets with essential nutrients, vitamins and minerals.  Try one of these quick snacks in between your breakfast and lunch, or lunch and dinner meals next time.

• 15 almonds
• Small or medium apple with 1tablespoon of nut butter (ie. peanut, almond, cashew)
• ¼ C hummus with celery or pepper slices
• ¼ C low fat cottage cheese with ½ C berries (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries) OR 1 peach (sliced)
• Glass of milk
• Homemade trail mix (roasted almonds, pumpkin seeds, raisins, craisins, dried apricots)
• ¼ C salsa with fresh vegetables OR 6 small whole grain crackers
• Sliced banana and 1 tablespoon light peanut butter on whole wheat wrap (8-inch)
• ½ C apple- or pear sauce with ⅓ C high fibre cereal (ie All Bran Buds)
• ½ whole wheat pita with 1 tablespoon almond butter and 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• Small container (100 g) low fat/non-fat yogurt with ½ tablespoon ground flax
• 3 thin slices low fat cheese with 3 stone-ground/whole wheat crackers
• ⅓ C high fibre, home-made granola with ¼ C low-fat vanilla yogurt
• ½ whole wheat English muffin with ½ tablespoon low fat cream cheese OR light peanut butter OR 1 tablespoon cottage cheese and cinnamon
• 1 C fruit salad (strawberries, kiwi, pineapple) with ½ tablespoon psyllium fibre