Health Snacks

On my diets I find that snacking is my worst enemy. The more I think about what I can not have the more I want. So this diet I am including snacks as part of the process. I plan for my snacks each day and for chocolate I use Quaker Mini Delights 90 calorie Packs and the Special K Bliss granola bars. They help more than anyone will know. Here are a few more suggestions by the Staff writes of www.SparkPeople.com.

Keep Healthy Snacks Handy
News Flash: Snacks are Healthy! -- By Zach Van Hart, Staff Writer

From SparkPeople.com

Research actually shows that snacking in between meals, or even eating 4-5 smaller meals throughout the day, is better for you than the traditional two or three larger meal routine. That is, of course, if you are eating nutritious snacks instead of the all-too-popular vending machine potato chips and soda, which many of us are drawn to.So really, it’s a matter of making good snack choices when it’s time for a food break. Power foods are always a good bet, because they usually combine high nutrients and lower calories. These could be anything from grains to dairy to fruits and vegetables.Healthy snack choices start at the grocery store. That’s where the decision is made to eat healthy snacks – not at the office or on the couch, but at the grocery.You still want to watch how much of these healthy snacks you eat. This is a snack, remember, not a meal. So buy, cut up or make single servings of any snack food you can. Here are some healthy snack ideas to consider next time you head to the grocery.

Healthy Snack Ideas
Yogurt , Fruit Cup, Apple, Banana, Pear, Peach,Grapes, Plum, Orange, Berries
Watermelon, Raisins, Carrots, Celery, Broccoli, Mixed Nuts, Tomato, Chicken Noodle Soup,
Cauliflower, Green or red peppers, Peanut butter crackers, Nuts, Carrots, Whole wheat cereal with skim milk, Trail mix, Oatmeal, Whole wheat bagel or toast , Pure bran muffins , Fruit smoothie, Spinach, Sweet potato , Broth-based vegetable soup , Skim and low-fat milk , Bean soup.
Article created on: 11/3/2003

Portable Snacking Tips & Ideas
Remember the 'Healthy' with the 'To-Go' -- By Laura Bofinger, Staff Writer

Eating is no longer an activity only experienced around the table with friends and family. Quick, how many times this past week have you eaten on the run? No place is safe either – the car, your desk, maybe even the shower! Our time is strapped and we need food that’s easy to grab ‘n’ go. And during this mad-chaos of finding food on our way out the door, one detail is easy to forget – making sure that the choices we make are healthy.Unfortunately, it’s mostly the bad stuff that falls into the "fast" and "easy" categories – chips, candy bars, sodas, etc. Well, what if we took some time and ingenuity to make our own healthy snacks portable and easy for on-the-go eating?I’m talking about things that can fit into the top drawer at work (not jelly beans or Kisses!) or snacks prepared ahead of time that can be popped into a lunch bag. Yes, some of these items WILL require some thinking ahead. Some might even require refrigeration or special containers. But they are fast, simple, and easy. Most take less than 5 minutes to prepare. You’ll also be thankful that you’ve saved yourself the cash that normally goes to vending machines or convenience stores. Your body will be grateful as well. The benefits of health outweigh the costs.

Check out these suggestions.
Celery sticks with peanut butter and several raisins on top
Rice cakes with peanut butter (good for getting a protein punch)
Low-fat cheese cubes
Hardboiled eggs
Deviled egg (wrapped in plastic wrap)
Fruit yogurt cup (add in some fresh fruits or nuts for a boost
Trail mix
Nuts or nut mix (stick to just a handful)
Vegetable sticks with a little packet of dip (lowfat salad dressing packets found in salad bars work as easy-to-pack dip)
Broccoli or cauliflower bites
Half of a turkey or tuna sandwich on whole-wheat bread
Cucumber slices (lightly salted or with nonfat Italian dressing)
Yogurt and granola
Leftover chicken or turkey slices (great to eat cold)
Healthy fiber-rich or grain cereal (great to eat dry from a baggie)
Pickles (wrapped in foil or plastic wrap)
Box of raisins or other dried fruit
Half a large whole wheat bagel with light cream cheese
Apples, bananas, strawberries (any fruit works, these are naturally portable)
Mixed berries (these freeze well in plastic bags)
Whole-wheat crackers and low-fat string cheese
Grapes in a baggie
Fruit smoothie in a thermos
Tuna and cottage cheese in mini-containers

The trick here is to be prepared and get creative!

Get your fresh fruits and vegetables on the weekend in preparation for the week’s snacking. Keep small-sized plastic containers for packing up small portions. Take note of the healthy foods you need to keep stocked in the house for future quick and healthy snack preparation. These will become automatic items for your grocery list. You may find that you start to replace a few nonessential, calorie-wasting items with your new healthy snack list. Article created on: 1/23/2004