Teenagers often skip meals because they are so busy. Even if you only eat three meals per day, it is possible to feel hungry between meals. It can be tempting to grab fast food, such as chips and cookies. Healthy snacks can provide a nutritional boost. To get the best out of snacks, choose fruits, vegetables, whole grains, dairy, protein, and other foods. These healthy snacks to buy are sure to give you energy, and they’re also gluten-free. Shop our snack.
A healthy snack can help you stay alert, keep your hunger under control, and give you energy.
Smart Snacking Strategies
Choose fruits and vegetables as snacks, whole grains with 3 grams or more of fiber, and protein-rich foods like peanut butter, low-fat yogurt, or cheese. Avoid snack foods that are high-in sugar, salt, or fat.
Here are some ideas to make healthy snacking part your daily routine.
Healthy snacks should be kept in your pantry or refrigerator. It will be easier to choose healthy snacks when snacking.
Treats like sweets and chips should be the exception, not the norm. While occasional treats are fine, it is best to stick with healthy snacks the majority of the time.
Set a time frame for your meals and snacks. You may not be able to tell when you are full or hungry and will eat more calories if you snack throughout the day. You are more likely not to eat enough and to skip meals.
Be mindful when eating. All snacks and meals should be eaten at the table. When you eat, don’t look at TV, watch video games or use your phone.
When buying packaged snacks, make sure you read the nutrition facts label. Snacks should be low in added sugar, high in nutrients like fiber, protein and calcium. When eating snacks such as chips, make sure you check the portion size. A small package might contain two or more servings, which can double, triple, or even triple the amount of fat, calories, or sugar listed on the label.
Healthy snacks are essential. You can always have healthy snacks on hand, such as whole-grain crackers or fruit, and baby carrots.
What are some healthy snacks?
Here are some healthy snacking options:
Smoothies: Combine fresh or frozen fruits and vegetables with yogurt, milk or a dairy-free option. For extra protein, add a tablespoon of almond butter or peanut butter.
Whole-grain pita with vegetables and hummus: Toast the pita and then cut it into triangles. Serve with chopped vegetables and your favorite hummus.
For a healthy trail mix, combine 1 cup whole-grain toasted oatmeal cereal with 1/4 cup chopped nuts and 1/4 cup dried Cranberries.
You can make air-popped popcorn or lite popcorn. Sprinkle some parmesan cheese on top of your popcorn.
Banana “ice cream: Peel several ripe bananas and cut them into 1-inch pieces. Then freeze the pieces in a plastic bag. Blend the pieces with a little water or milk just before serving. For a unique flavor, add berries or garnish with nuts or fruit.
Only eat a snack when you are hungry
Sometimes we snack because we’re bored or stressed. Before you go crazy for snacking, consider whether it is hunger or boredom that is driving you to snack. It is also important to consider the timing of your snack. Do not snack too close to meals, such as right before or after dinner.
Instead, plan your snacks according to what you need and when you feel hungry. Because their bodies burn more calories, active people require more snacks than inactive people. You should snack between meals for at least five hours.
Treats are not the answer, snack is what you need
Snacks should provide nutrition between meals, such as calcium and protein. Treats, however, can be very low in nutrients. Avoid junk food as treats. They are not snacks, but treats. For snacking, opt for healthy foods such as yogurt, fruits, and nuts.
Don’t snack mindlessly
Mindless snacking, such as at the laptop or TV, can lead to an overconsumption. You aren’t aware of how much food you are eating, or the taste of your food. Do not eat a bag of chips while watching TV. Instead, make sure you take only the amount you need and keep it in a sealed container. This will allow you to savour every bit of your food.
