Published on 12/17/2007

Brampton - How you snack during the holidays can make or break your diet. There is definitely a wrong way and a right way to snack. Don't sabotage your diet with unhealthy nibbles throughout the day; stick to nourishing foods whenever possible.

Brampton - There is definitely a wrong way and a right way to snack. You should avoid sugary items like candy and soda, and shouldn't be consuming enough calories to constitute a meal. Instead, steer towards foods that will satisfy you and keep you feeling fuller longer. Fruits and vegetables are always a safe bet because they are low in fat and calories. (Just be sure to avoid high-calorie dips.) Yogurt, fruit smoothies, even a slice of whole-wheat toast all make great snacks during the day. Combining lean protein, some healthy fat, and complex carbohydrates will help you feel fuller longer.

Mini Meals
Many experts are recommending several smaller meals throughout the day instead of the usual three. By eating at regular intervals, your blood sugar levels (and therefore your energy levels) remain stable. So, instead of that mid-afternoon crash, you'll be full of vigor through dinnertime! Eating every few hours (especially if you chew on fruits and veggies) can also help add extra nutrition that might be missing from other meals.

Snacking Isn't Grazing
Mindless eating is often the downfall of many snackers. You may start with only a handful of your favorite crackers, only to finish the entire box, without even thinking about it. Obviously, this example isn't the healthy snacking that can help you reach your weight loss goals.

To avoid grazing:

Fill a small plate with your snack, and leave the kitchen. Just walk away. When your plate is empty, snack time is over.
Never bring the entire container with you in front of the television or computer. Enjoy your snack without distraction and you won't be tempted to reach for more.
If you stand around the snack table chatting at a party, you may find yourself reaching for food when the conversation lulls. This can often lead to an unintentional binge because you simply aren't paying attention to what you are eating.
Limit yourself to a single serving.
Plan out your snacks just like you would a meal. Is one cookie worth the calorie cost, when you could eat a plate of fresh fruit instead?

Practice Moderation
As with the rest of your diet, moderation is crucial when snacking. Make sure that you are adding every snack to your Nutrition Tracker, along with the larger meals you eat during the day. If you don't keep track, you might add excess calories and fat to your diet without realizing it.

Don't sabotage your diet with unhealthy nibbles throughout the day; stick to nourishing foods whenever possible. If you know you have a weakness for junk food, do yourself a favor and don't purchase these items next time you are at the grocery store. Then you won't have to fight the temptation of ice cream or potato chips when hunger pangs hit.

Submitted by Diane Lancaster: I am a long-standing member of Take Off Pounds Sensibly. Nutrition has been a way of life. I successfully lost 30 lbs over 35 years ago and manage to keep that weight in control ever since by eating sensible. Nutrition is all a matter of balance.