Five Rules Of Healthy Snacking
Monday 09 June 2008
It is fair to say that Closer has got a serious snacking habit. All day long we’re either trying to muster enough will power not to stuff our faces, or we’re, er, stuffing our faces.
So it’s great news that snacking, if done sensibly, is actually good for us! That’s right, the clever people at Kellogg’s have compiled a study that confirms what we have known all along: eating between meals helps you to keep hunger at bay and stops you going crazy at meal times.
Kellogg’s smarter snacking report revealed that eating little portions of healthy foods throughout the day will help you stay slim because you are less likely to overindulge later in the day when hunger pangs hit you.
Regular snacks also help to stabilise your mood and to keep up your concentration levels. So if you follow these essential snacking tips compiled by nutritionist Stevie Reid, there’s no need to feel guilty about having a nibble or two during the day.
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Plan ahead
Choosing your snacks for the week ahead rather than buying them on impulse gives you the opportunity to include all the nutrients you need and keep your diet varied. It is also likely to safe you some money in the long term.
Choose wisely
Knowing that snacking can be beneficial to your diet is no excuse to cram chocolate into your mouth all day long. Try and create snacks that include more than one food group, for example fruit and grain products or vegetables and meat.
Watch your portions
Remember: a snack can quickly turn into a main meal if you go overboard with the portion sizes. Always read the nutritional content on the packaging to make sure you stay on top of the calories you consume.
Watch out for hidden calories
It is easy to forget about the calories hidden in our favourite drinks. Yes, fruit juices are healthy, but they also contain a lot of natural sugars. And sadly most soft drinks are packed with calories, so go easy on them – your best option, for fear of sounding boring, is still water.
Closer’s favourite snacks
Sometimes nibbling on a piece of celery just won’t do the trick. There are days when you need something sweet and nothing else will do.
Closer has compiled a list of our favourite snacks that are completely diet friendly but taste so good you’d think they should be banned!
Kellogg’s Nutri-Grain Soft Oaties
Made with wholesome Oats, these sweet , moist cookies are ideal to keep you going until lunchtime or to pick you up from your mid-afternoon slump. Our fave is - surprise, surprise - Oat & Chocolate Chip.
Weight Watchers’ Belgian Chocolate and Vanilla Mousse
This dessert will rock your world - we promise! If you like chocolate mousse, you will love this pudding. All the flavour at a fraction of the calories, this is an indulgency you don’t have to feel guilty about.
Rachel’s Organic Rice Pudding
We already love the organic yoghurt range, and the rice pudding is just as good… and, like all Rachel's products, it is produced in harmony with nature – so you’re being good to yourself and the environment.
Kellogg’s Special K Bliss bar
Tangy fruit pieces and cereal covered with dark chocolate, these bars are so ridiculously tasty we can’t even begin to tell you… and each bar contains less than 90 calories! Choose from raspberry or orange with dark chocolate.
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