I love food. I mean, I spent five years learning about it, that means true love. Being pregnant makes me feel even a bit more passionate. Snacks have been at the forefront of my mind lately. Snacks are great for ALL people, here are some interesting facts and ideas for snacks.
In the Philippines, a "snack" is any food that doesn't include rice... If there's rice, then it's a meal. Interesting. World travel information courtesy: Becca.
For nutrition's sake, a great guideline is:
Three food groups = meal
Two food groups = snack
To up the ante, a meal has a fruit or vegetable, a snack has a protein food. Not too hard, right? Now just make sure you know your food groups. :)
Snacks have to satisfy fast because we usually think about eating a snack when we are already hungry. Starved brain eating decisions aren't the best. You know how it works. If you spend most of the day away from home, try using the Snacking Think-Tank below before you run out the door. Having something tasty in your bag helps you eat healthier and spend less money.
Probably the best option from a standard vending machine is a Snickers Bar. Maybe even ice cream. Huh? You say? When hunger strikes and you're stuck with those options, these have the most protein and they will tide you over until you get some real food. Snickers even has *some* fiber!
Lot's of people argue back and forth over whet her 3 meals or 5-6 mini meals a day helps better with weight loss. The research doesn't support either as better, BUT it's true that getting OVER-hungry brings out the binge beast. So smart snacking can help you lose weight by curbing hunger, pack in some good nutrients, and savor the flavors.
Being pregnant with twins, I seriously eat a lot more food. Like definitely more than my husband. If you're trying to gain weight, try eating like a pregnant person. Three meals, two to three snacks a day. No need to stuff yourself silly, just eat more often.
The other truth of snacking is that sometimes I do eat Pop Tarts for a snack. Or a cinnamon roll. I don't limit any foods in my diet because the moment I deny myself is the moment I suddenly want it all. Linking guilt to food makes me unhappy. Instead I eat treats because I want to enjoy a treat. I enjoy it, and then I'm done. And then I'm off to other things. But honestly, even on my current weight gain "program", I only eat "treats" and "junk food" a couple times a week. The real stuff tastes better and makes me feel better, I'll take all the extra energy I can get!
For nutrition's sake, a great guideline is:
Three food groups = meal
Two food groups = snack
To up the ante, a meal has a fruit or vegetable, a snack has a protein food. Not too hard, right? Now just make sure you know your food groups. :)
Snacks have to satisfy fast because we usually think about eating a snack when we are already hungry. Starved brain eating decisions aren't the best. You know how it works. If you spend most of the day away from home, try using the Snacking Think-Tank below before you run out the door. Having something tasty in your bag helps you eat healthier and spend less money.
Probably the best option from a standard vending machine is a Snickers Bar. Maybe even ice cream. Huh? You say? When hunger strikes and you're stuck with those options, these have the most protein and they will tide you over until you get some real food. Snickers even has *some* fiber!
Lot's of people argue back and forth over whet her 3 meals or 5-6 mini meals a day helps better with weight loss. The research doesn't support either as better, BUT it's true that getting OVER-hungry brings out the binge beast. So smart snacking can help you lose weight by curbing hunger, pack in some good nutrients, and savor the flavors.
Being pregnant with twins, I seriously eat a lot more food. Like definitely more than my husband. If you're trying to gain weight, try eating like a pregnant person. Three meals, two to three snacks a day. No need to stuff yourself silly, just eat more often.
The other truth of snacking is that sometimes I do eat Pop Tarts for a snack. Or a cinnamon roll. I don't limit any foods in my diet because the moment I deny myself is the moment I suddenly want it all. Linking guilt to food makes me unhappy. Instead I eat treats because I want to enjoy a treat. I enjoy it, and then I'm done. And then I'm off to other things. But honestly, even on my current weight gain "program", I only eat "treats" and "junk food" a couple times a week. The real stuff tastes better and makes me feel better, I'll take all the extra energy I can get!
The Snacking Think-Tank
Just pull out this list when hunger strikes or before you leave for the day (or at the grocery store) for ideas to overcome the muddled thinking of a starved brain.*
Granola bar + Fruit snacks - these win the convenience vote - I keep these in my purse at all times
String Cheese or cheese sticks - add fruit or crackers
Fruit - super portable and delicious! Just bought a bag of fresh peaches from a farmer's market
Popcorn - I think popcorn is highly underrated. it's a whole grain and 3 cups is a serving! just go easy on that butter.
Hard-boiled egg + crackers or veggies
Bagel + cream cheese or peanut butter
Yogurt + granola
Salsa + toast - my dad's weird favorite
Tuna + Mayo + Leftover Rice
Cottage cheese + tomatoes + Seasoning Salt
Quesadilla
Milk - try it flavored!
Carnation Instant Breakfast - my go-to bedtime snack
Just pull out this list when hunger strikes or before you leave for the day (or at the grocery store) for ideas to overcome the muddled thinking of a starved brain.*
Granola bar + Fruit snacks - these win the convenience vote - I keep these in my purse at all times
String Cheese or cheese sticks - add fruit or crackers
Fruit - super portable and delicious! Just bought a bag of fresh peaches from a farmer's market
Popcorn - I think popcorn is highly underrated. it's a whole grain and 3 cups is a serving! just go easy on that butter.
Hard-boiled egg + crackers or veggies
Bagel + cream cheese or peanut butter
Yogurt + granola
Salsa + toast - my dad's weird favorite
Tuna + Mayo + Leftover Rice
Cottage cheese + tomatoes + Seasoning Salt
Quesadilla
Milk - try it flavored!
Carnation Instant Breakfast - my go-to bedtime snack
Waffles + yogurt + nuts + fruit- always been obsessed. i make them with whole wheat flour and cinnamon, make a huge batch and put them in sandwich bags in the fridge.
Green Smoothies - I like making them like Jill.
Beans + salsa + tortilla chips - take a can of your favorite beans, rinse/drain, add salsa to taste. try making your own tortilla chips by baking cut corn tortillas sprayed with cooking spray and some salt.
Water water water - what? that's not a snack. sorry not sorry, drink it anyway.
Cereal + milk
Peanut butter + toast
Raw veggies + peanut butter, hummus, or ranch - red bell peppers, cucumbers, carrots, celery, broccoli, mmm.
Greek yogurt + frozen fruit
Pumpkin chocolate chip bread - I made it sorta healthy with whole wheat flour and applesauce
Green Smoothies - I like making them like Jill.
Beans + salsa + tortilla chips - take a can of your favorite beans, rinse/drain, add salsa to taste. try making your own tortilla chips by baking cut corn tortillas sprayed with cooking spray and some salt.
Water water water - what? that's not a snack. sorry not sorry, drink it anyway.
Cereal + milk
Peanut butter + toast
Raw veggies + peanut butter, hummus, or ranch - red bell peppers, cucumbers, carrots, celery, broccoli, mmm.
Greek yogurt + frozen fruit
Pumpkin chocolate chip bread - I made it sorta healthy with whole wheat flour and applesauce
*No they don't all follow the "snack" definition
My favorite tip: Do your body a favor, eat real food.
Well, I've eaten TWO snacks since starting this post. It's been a productive morning. Time for lunch. :)
Any more snack ideas or tips you would add to the list?
Love,
Lauresa
Well, I've eaten TWO snacks since starting this post. It's been a productive morning. Time for lunch. :)
Any more snack ideas or tips you would add to the list?
Love,
Lauresa