Let’s be honest- we all snack.
In fact, snacking is actually a good way to fuel your energy and give your blood sugar a boost. But sometimes snacking is our worst enemy.
One handful of potato chips on the couch turns into three…
The convenient candy bar in the vending machine is just calling your name…
And there’s no harm in breaking off a piece of the leftover donuts sitting on the counter in the break room, right?
The real problem with snacking is that many people fail to plan ahead and are left with pre-packaged choices full of empty calories and artificial sugar boosts. Don’t fall victim to convenience next time you have a snack attack! Plan ahead with some of our favorite heart-healthy snacks that don’t disappoint.
Also keep in mind that just because our options are focusing on “heart health” today, these foods are also great for overall health including being brain-healthy, hormone-healthy, mood-healthy, and blood-sugar healthy.
Crunchy Munchies
If potato chips are your ‘go-to’ snack, try a few of these heart-healthy options that will give you the crunch you crave.
· Salted (or unsalted) cucumber slices (or other crunchy vegetables like bell peppers) dipped in hummus.
· Nuts and seeds (full of good fats and protein for the boost you need) – Need to consider portion size, it doesn’t mean you can eat an infinite amount, a snack-sized portion of almonds is 13. Also, read labels, don’t buy nuts with things like “candied” or “fancy” since that just adds sugar. Try to find raw, organic, unsalted nuts – one of our favorites is Curried Cashews from Natural Grocers. If you buy a big bag, take some extra time to prepare snack-size portions so they’re grab-and-go ready!
Healthy Hydration
You’ve probably heard before that when you’re feeling hungry, you might just be thirsty. Proper hydration is an important part of healthy so be sure to incorporate the recommended eight 8-ounce glasses each day but also feel free to explore with these healthy options.
· Add fresh berries, cucumbers, or citrus slices to water to make it more appetizing. Can also add fresh herbs – strawberry basil water is delicious!
· Unsweetened herbal teas
· Drinking “diet” anything is not actually a healthy choice, switching from regular to diet is not a good option.
· Artificial sugars in things like Crystal Light, Mio, etc. are not good options, your body reacts to artificial sugar just like real sugar and can perpetuate your sweet tooth.
Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth
People often fall into one of two categories when snacking: sweet or salty. Unfortunately, sweets are usually packed with sugar and loaded with calories. Try curbing your sweet tooth with some of these healthier options:
· Apple slices with almond or cashew butter (best to avoid peanut butter)
· Find a high-quality shake mix (we like Xymogen and Metagenics) with pharmaceutical-grade ingredients and no artificial sugar. A chocolate or vanilla variety of these can satisfy your sweet tooth.
· A small piece of dark chocolate (1”x1” square) can provide you with antioxidants, too.
Of course, it’s OK to indulge in your favorite snacks occasionally. The key message when it comes to snacking and meal planning in general, is that a little preparation can go a long way! Change your mindset and start to view these nutritional changes as lifestyle changes- not a diet.
If you’d like a restart on your New Year’s Resolution, our team is here for you! Our goal is to provide the best patient experience through ongoing support, contact, and encouragement. We are with you every step of the way as you strive to achieve your ideal health.
