Written by: Brianna Hanson RD2B
Snacks serve a purpose. They are nourishing, satisfying and provide energy for our bodies to be sustained throughout the day. Often times, when beginning a journey towards better health, one will focus on eating three good meals throughout the day but fail to recognize the importance of snacks. Snacks are not the enemy, and in fact, they are quite the opposite.
So, we understand that snacking is not the enemy but it’s important to understand why you’re snacking. Is it to relieve stress from the day? To find satisfaction after a non-satisfying meal? To get a boost of energy? Or Is it out of boredom? Understanding why you want a snack is the key to finding what that snack will be and how much of it you will eat. It’s just as important during snacks to honor your hunger and fullness cues as it is during meals. Eat when you’re hungry and stop when you’re full and it doesn’t matter the time of day as long as you listen to your body’s cues.
Snacks are one way to keep a person from feeling ravenously hungry at meals and out of control around food. Give yourself the freedom to enjoy snacks. Have a snack because you need energy and want to be satisfied.
Put it into practice:
There are no rules when it comes to snacking, but there are ways we can maximize our satisfaction and the energy we get from snacks. Just in case you missed it the first time, there are no rules! There is not a set time for eating a snack and there is nothing off limits. Anything goes! If you want more information on the freedom to eat whatever you want, whenever you want… check out this blog post .
If you are looking for some structure and want to know how to best fuel your body, use the plate method by pairing a carbohydrate with a protein/fat. Here are some ideas:
Toast with peanut butter and honey
Cheese and an apple
Crackers with chicken salad
Chocolate with dried fruit
Yogurt with fruit and granola
Veggies with hummus
Feel free to take these ideas and run with them! Find your plate method go-to’s with your own likes and dislikes. Have fun and notice the difference in energy you can feel when you finally allow yourself the freedom to eat snacks!
