These days, we’re snacking more than ever. Apart from being at home, there are a few other reasons why we find ourselves in the food cupboard more often than usual i.e. pure boredom, comfort eating or procrastination. Although snacking can have a bad rap, done right, it can have immense benefits. However, with great power comes great responsibility so we must snack wisely.

Here are a few tips for smarter snacking:

 

1. Bring back brekky

There are so many different breakfast foods which can be repurposed as a light nutritious snack later in the day. Fancy a vanilla chia pudding in the afternoon? Definitely!

 

2. Nutrients instead of calories

Instead of thinking about the calorie content of a given snack, try thinking about nutrient-rich it is. Although some snacks are low in calorie, they may lack many nutrients that are beneficial for your health. Instead, choose snacks that are rich in vitamins, minerals and other nutrients… and if these are low in calorie – it’s a bonus!

 

3. Be mindful

Try not to eat your snacks while doing something else. That’s right, don’t watch TV, don’t surf the internet and don’t snack on your desk! These activities can make it difficult to listen to your hunger cues which can cause you to eat low-nutrient foods that are high In sugar, sodium and fat. Instead, stop what you are doing for a few minutes and eat in a designated area such as a dining room table or your patio. Also, make sure you listen to your body and try to avoid eating out of boredom.

 

4. Make the healthy choice the easy choice

Keep all of your healthy options visible and easily accessible. Also, keep your healthy ingredients at hand so that you can make healthy snacks easily, such as this mango smoothie.

 

5. Pack snacks to go

We’ve all been there, we’re out and about living busy lives and then… hunger hits! We have a serious choice to make, do we wait until we get home with the risk of being “hangry” or do we look for the nearest fast food store for something fast and easy. Some of us, however, thought we came prepared - we dig into our bag but to our dissatisfaction, we pull out a banana that looks like it just finished a boxing match. Having grab-and-go snacks that will be safe in your bag and don’t require refrigeration can keep you on track with your health goals when moments of hunger arise.