Snacking can be a great way to fuel your body throughout the day, especially if you choose healthy options that provide essential nutrients and energy.
In this post, I’ll explore the concept of snacking and provide you with tips and examples of how to nourish your body with healthy snacks. Keyword: Nourish.
So… I thought I’d cover a bit on snacks as people are ALWAYS asking me about them!
Smart snacking is all about making conscious choices that will support your overall health and well-being rather than just eating whatever whenever (that’s what most people do!).
It involves selecting foods rich in nutrients, low in calories (nutrient-dense), and satisfying enough to keep you energised between meals IF you need to. The goal is to avoid unhealthy snacks that are high in sugar, saturated fats, and empty calories that can cause extreme spikes in blood sugar levels and lead to weight gain and messy blood work.
To make smart snacking a habit, it’s essential to plan ahead and ALWAYS have healthy options available. This means stocking up on snacks at home, work, and on the go. It’s also helpful to keep track of your snacking habits and adjust your choices as needed to ensure you’re meeting your nutritional needs and maintaining a healthy weight.
Nourishing Your Body with Healthy Snacks
When it comes to nourishing your body with healthy snacks, there are plenty of options to choose from, it’s not just fruit lol. Here are some examples of foods that I’d go for…
Fresh fruit – Apples, bananas, oranges, and berries are all great choices for a quick and easy snack. They are rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that can support your immune system and improve your overall health. Easily available – although you need to buy them often. Keep them everywhere you look, including the passenger seat of your car!
Raw vegetables – Carrots, celery, cucumbers, and cherry tomatoes are perfect for snacking on throughout the day. They are low in calories, high in fiber, and packed with essential nutrients that keep you feeling full and satisfied, if you eat enough. To give you some perspective, my 5 year old son will happily demolish a 400g punnet of cherry tomatoes and a bag of carrot batons whilst watching YouTube. What do you sit and eat….
Nuts and seeds – Ok, warning first – take it easy with these. They are extremely high in calories so you NEED to go easy with portions and NEVER EVER just have a whole packet/bag/box/whatever in front of you or you will eat the lot. Why? The pleasure trap – another post. Almonds, walnuts, sunflower seeds, and pumpkin seeds are all great sources of healthy fats and protein. They will boost your energy levels and provide sustained nourishment throughout the day.
Hummus – This plant-based dip made from chickpeas, tahini, and olive oil is a great snack option that is packed with protein and fibre. It’s also a good source of iron, folate, and other essential vitamins and minerals. However, it’s best to make your own and swerve the oil. Dip fruit such as sliced apple in or sliced carrots – eat about 5x as much fruit/veg as you do hummus.
Popcorn – Seriously yup. Popcorn is a low-calorie snack that is rich in fibre and antioxidants. It’s also a superb source of whole grains, which lower your risk of heart disease and other chronic health conditions predominately through the sheer amount of fibre!
Edamame – This plant-based snack made from soybeans is a great source of protein, fibre, and essential vitamins and minerals. Just eat them!
The best until last. Water. Yup, sounds a bit daft but drink water. More of it. I promise you that most overlook this, including me from time to time. JFDI, order glass bottles from Amazon or wherever and always have water available. Why? So you drink it. Make it enticing to drink.
Useful?
Maybe.
Helpful? If you implement it, you’ll reap the benefits… Personally, I’d just go for fruit/veg and water… Apple and hummus has been my go-to recently though!
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