* This post contains affiliate links. If you love to snack, you may view it as a curse. You’re trying to be healthy, but you can’t resist checking the fridge to see what there is to eat. You’ve done it for years and can’t seem to break the habit that will get you the summer body of your dreams!
There is no judgement here because sticking to a diet and staying under the recommended daily calorie intake is tough, especially if you have a sweet or savory tooth. The good news is that you don’t have to snack harder - you can snack smarter.
As long as you keep the following tips in mind, the urge to eat between meals won’t be as big of a deal.
Don’t Skip Breakfast
When experts say that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, they aren’t lying. The problem with missing breakfast is that you get to the in-between stage and feel ravenous. You could eat a horse, but you settle for a couple of snacks to keep you going until lunchtime. Unfortunately, these are empty calories, even if they are healthy. Why? It’s because they are unnecessary if you get up early enough and have a piece of toast or bowl of cereal. Brekkie stunts your hunger for longer, eliminating the desire to snack.
Eat Something Full Of Fiber
If you do need to replenish your energy levels, it’s essential to choose your weapons wisely. When you’re hungry and tired, foods that are full of carbs and sugars are the most appealing as they’ll give you an immediate boost. However, they are unfulfilling as both nutrients are absorbed quickly. Fiber is different. Fiber fills your stomach, leaving you with that bloated sensation for longer. As a result, you won’t have to snack as much because you won’t be hungry. You can drink lots of water for the same effects.
Or Low In Calories
Alternatively, anything low in calories is a perfect snack. After all, it means you can eat it without feeling guilty, and you can eat more of it as it won’t take a massive chunk out of your calorie intake. Vegetables, such as carrot sticks, will always be your go-to meal since they barely contain any harmful ingredients. Of course, vegetables and salads get boring, so you may want to make your snacks more exciting with roasted chickpeas. Chickpeas are incredible sources of plant-based proteins and fiber, which means they’re very healthy. More importantly, the salty taste is delicious!
Take Them With You
Making a conscious effort to snack is only the start of the process. To ensure you maintain your good habits, you need to be ready for when hunger strikes at the most inopportune moments. Being able to rustle up a light snack at home is no big deal, but what happens when you’re on-the-go or in the office? If it’s too hard to find fruits or vegetables, you’ll opt for chips and candy instead. That’s why the smart move is to pack snacks and take them with you.
Snacking doesn’t have to be a bad thing. With these pointers, you can limit the damage and make it enjoyable.
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