Do You Have Healthy Snack Habits?

If you’re like me, you’re meals are pretty healthy. There’s some lean protein, some whole grains, and lots of veggies. You’re probably careful how you prepare your foods, too. Maybe you use herbs and spices instead of salt. Maybe you steam your veggies instead frying them in oil.

For me—and maybe for you—meals aren’t the problem.

Snacks are the problem. When I get hungry between meals, I tend to reach for junk food. It’s quick. It’s tasty. It’s filling. But it certainly isn’t good for me… and it doesn’t leave me feeling good either.

For a while, I tried those 100-calorie packs. I figured they were a good way to stop me from overeating. But it’s still junk food. And recent studies show that people tend to eat fewer junk food calories out of a regular-sized packages than they do when they grab the 100-calorie packs.

Based on that, I’ve been working on a better way to snack. I have a little cooler, and I pack it with quick, healthy snacks the night before. I try to combine protein and fiber, so the snacks leave me satisfied. On a given day my cooler might contain an apple and string cheese, some peanut-butter-and-whole-wheat-cracker sandwiches, and some cut up veggies with some garlic herb cream cheese. I usually toss a bite-sized chocolate bar in there, too.

Then during the day, when I feel hungry between meals, I just reach for my cooler. I’ve noticed some good changes since using this approach. First, I seem to be hungry less often. Second, I seem to be less cranky and more focused in the mid-afternoon. Third, I’m sinking less money into the vending machine. And fourth, I’m not wasting time debating whether I want a bag of chips or a big cookie—I already know what snack I’m going to have.

Gimmicky packaging and junk food portion control can’t get around the fact that’s it’s still junk food. I recommend you make the switch and start snacking healthier by planning ahead.

Stay well,
Heather Robwell