There’s been a lot of talk lately in the nutrition world about some evidence that suggests snacking – not portion sizes – is responsible for a good part of rising obesity rates in America.
It makes some sense when you think about it. When we were kids, do you Van’s fans remember snacks at every outing? When even the counters at the shipping and copy store are offering potato and corn chips for sale, it’s possible we’ve taken snacking too far.
This got us thinking about smart strategies for mealtime and snack-time, to lead to an overall healthier outlook.
Some key things to try?
Fill up at mealtime. Eating foods rich in fiber and protein make you feel full, taking a lot of the appeal out of less healthy snack-time temptations. Some of our favorites? An egg waffle-wich for breakfast, or Van’s Waffle Sticks dipped in low-fat Greek yogurt.
Snack smartly. Choose snacks that offer a pick-me-up, rather than a drag-me-down. We happen to recommend Van’s Waffle Sticks for snack-time – they’re tasty, satisfy a sweet craving, and they’re still 80 calories or less apiece. Other favorite options from our Van’s team? An apple, a banana, or some low-fat string cheese.
The Mayo Clinic has several recommendations for
snacks that pack a power punch – and some ideas for 100-calorie snacks you can prepare on your own:
• 1 cup sliced bananas and fresh raspberries
• 2 cups of carrots
• 3 1/2 cups air-popped popcorn
• 5 melba toast crackers, rye or pumpernickel
• 2 tablespoons of peanuts
• 2 domino-sized slices of low-fat Colby or cheddar cheese
Hydrate. Next time you’ve got a craving – or a child asking for a snack – try a little water first. It’s a great way to help stay cool in the summer heat – and it may offer enough distraction to get you to meal-time.