Fitness Tip: Healthy Snacks and Snacking Strategies

Snacks are back in vogue, especially for those of us who overeat if we get too hungry or who prefer to eat several small meals throughout the day. Whatever your reasons, make sure the snacks are healthy. Here are four tips:

1. Dip it: Prepare cucumber spears, green pepper slices, cherry tomatoes, sugar snap peas or carrot sticks for dipping in a low-calorie sauce.
2. Stack it: Prepare chunks or balls of fruit (melon, berries, apples) and spear them on a toothpick. 
3. Build it: Create a mini-pizza by putting tomato sauce, grated cheese and/or lean meat on an English muffin, pita or tortilla.
4. Freeze it: Put grapes, strawberries, peaches or berries in the freezer for a treat. These and other fruits can be frozen and blended with skim milk, yogurt, buttermilk or ice to make a frozen drink.

Consider dedicating a shelf in the refrigerator for snacks to minimize decision making when you’re hungry. And to limit mindless snacking, designate a snacking area and sit down to eat. Experiment with these tips and let me know how they work for you.

Photo courtesy of Steve Ford Elliott

Comments

[Carole]

Thank you Martha. I'm not sure about the process of subscribing by email, but I'm looking into it now.

[Martha]

Carol, I just found your blog. I am looking forward to reading you as you post. Can we subscribe by email to it? I subscribed to your newsletter. Thanks in advance for your answer.