Snacks Can Be Healthy AND Satisfying"If we could give every individual the right amount of nourishment and exercise, not too little and not too much, we would have found the safest way to health." ~Hippocrates
Somebody recently sent me an e-mail joke that said, in part, “it takes a special kind of stupid to forget to eat”. I guess I am, on occasion, that certain kind of “stupid”, especially when I am totally engrossed in what I am doing at “mealtime”. There are times when, if my husband does not put food under my nose I probably would forget to eat. The exception is the evening meal—I’m usually in charge of that one and others depend on me to get it right! Ideally, we should eat 4-6 small meals a day. Eating small meals throughout the day helps to maintain an even level of blood glucose and energy. (Glucose becomes energy.) Few of us do that. The best alternative is to eat small but healthy snacks between meals and to eat smaller meals. That sorta takes care of the 4-6. When I am working at home and Ray is not here, chances are that I may forget to eat. Lori doesn’t usually say anything. She’s pretty independent and fends for herself when we are not home. When I’m “in the zone”, working at the computer, I’m “not at home.” Lori won’t go hungry, trust me on this one! She will find something to eat! I just make sure her only choices are healthy ones. I don’t keep junk food in the house. Lori will find it if it’s there (no matter how hard we may try to hide it! Remember how you always found the Christmas presents your parents stashed away for you? She’s good at finding the best hidden secrets! Especially if it is food). 
So what kind of snacks are healthy choices?The healthiest snacks come in Nature’s own edible or compostable packaging. Apples, bananas, pears, pineapples, kiwi, or any kind of fruit that you like makes for healthy snacking. Pair these with whole grains in the form of bread or crackers, or some cheese, cottage cheese or natural peanut butter. Natural peanut butter is simply ground peanuts with nothing else added. Natural almond butter is another healthy choice that tastes delicious! Freeze a bunch of grapes. Grab a handful from the freezer for a cool summer treat. Yogurt and kefir are good probiotics that are very healthy choices. Probiotics help the gut to maintain a healthy level of good bacteria. Organic yogurt, yogurt smoothies and kefir are available in the organic dairy section of many supermarkets. Instead of fruit try carrot sticks, zucchini sticks or celery. Eat them with a yogurt dip. Add some dill weed or tarragon and a little bit of lemon to plain yogurt. Yogurt makes a healthy flavorful dip. Any fresh veggie, cut up and dipped in yogurt, is healthy and tasty. Packaged peanut butter snack crackers and many “healthful snacks” may not be a healthy choice. Think transfat. Think high fructose corn syrup. These are not healthy choices. Read labels. Fruits have fiber, vitamins and minerals. Fruit also has fructose. Eat fruit in moderation but eat the whole fruit. Fruit juices have fructose without the benefit of fiber. Fiber helps to fight colon cancer. Too much fructose can cause liver damage.
A handful of nuts
(link opens a new window) is a healthy choice. They provide essential fats, fiber and protein. They should not be packed with salt or sugar. Nature’s own foods are best in their natural form. Nuts will help you feel fuller longer.A bowlful of popcorn (without a load of butter) will provide lots of fiber and few calories. Budget Tip: Don’t waste your money on expensive prepackaged microwave brands of popcorn. They are laden with all kinds of oils and chemicals you don’t need! Purchase a jar of good old fashioned popcorn kernels. Place ¼ cup of kernels in a paper lunch bag and fold over tightly (at least twice). Pop the bag in the microwave on high 2-3 minutes or until corn stops popping. Pour into a bowl carefully (don’t get burned) and sprinkle with grated cheese or a pinch of seasoned salt. You’ll have a healthier snack for a mere fraction of the cost high in fiber and low in calories! I sometimes find myself past the hunger point but needing something to eat too close to mealtime. I will have a couple of wheat crackers with natural peanut butter and a small glass of whole organic milk or ¼ cup of cottage cheese with 2-3 wheat crackers. Healthy snacking keeps your blood glucose levels are on an even keel. If you find yourself getting mentally foggy or confused, shaky or overly tired during the day, you probably need a protein boost in the way of a healthy snack. Snack it healthy, free of transfat, high fructose corn syrup and chemicals. If you are just totally addicted to chips, there are healthier baked organic chips available at your supermarket. With all things, moderation.
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