January 2018

Every now and then, we all want have to have “a little something” between meals, right?. Snacks don’t have to be bad for you. Here are a few tips on for healthy snacking:

• Stay away from “empty calories.” These are foods and drinks with a lot of calories but not many nutrients; for example, chips, cookies, sodas and alcohol. Most packaged snacks have a Nutrition Facts label. Try to choose snacks with 5% Daily Value or less in saturated fats, trans fats, cholesterol and sodium. Also look for snacks with 20 percent or more of the Daily Value potassium, fiber, vitamins A and C, calcium and Iron
• Eat more fruit. Put fruit instead of candy in the bowl on your coffee table. Buy and try a new fruit for you (plantain, star fruit or papaya?)
• Portion control. If you want some chips or nuts, don’t eat from the bag. Count out a serving and put the bag away.
• Plan for the urge to snack. When you’re out and need a snack, don’t be tempted by a candy bar. Instead, take along some fruit or raw vegetables in a plastic bag when you’re away from home.
• Snack with less fat. Try a container of low-fat or fat-free yogurt. Drink fat-free or low-fat chocolate milk (blend it with a banana (potassium!) or strawberries and some ice for a smoothie).

Source: National Institutes of Health