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• Don’t snack if you aren’t hungry.
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Your Health Champions’ Ideas for Healthier Snacks
One of the biggest myths about snacking is that it's a bad thing. The truth is it's not snacking
itself that's bad for us. It's snacking on junk food that gives it a bad name. In fact, if you eat until
you are comfortable (not “full") at lunch, chances are you'll need a mid-afternoon snack to tide
you over until dinner. Here are some tips for smart snacking:
Avoid trans fats. Anything with "partially hydrogenated vegetable oil" listed among the top
three ingredients on the label is suspect.
Check out the Nutrition Information label. This will tell you what the company considers
a portion of that food.
Be careful with energy bars. Keep them to 200 calories or less or don’t eat the whole bar.
Look for at least 3 grams of fiber (preferably 5 grams), at least 5 grams of protein (preferably
10 grams), lower amounts of fat with no saturated fat and fewer than 20 grams of sugar.
Avoid high-fat snacks. They may actually encourage overeating.
Look out for TV temptation. Convenience and fast foods high in fat and sodium made up
57% of the food advertised during the most popular TV shows.
Try to keep snacks to about 200 calories or less. Include some protein, like a handful of nuts
or an ounce of string cheese to stay satisfied, plus a healthy carb for energy, such as a piece
of fruit, whole-grain crackers or a healthy granola bar.