Having the munchies while you’re at work, in between meals? Snacking can actually be an important part of your diet because it keeps your metabolic rate running (read: burning food continuously). If you don’t snack, you let your body go too long without food which will in turn lower your metabolic rate and also encourage the cardinal sin of overstuffing yourself during mealtimes. Pack on the pounds, much? On the other hand, if you snack unhealthily, it can also lead to weight gain.
What a predicament!
Don’t worry. Here are some easy-on-the-waist (and weighing scale) snacks that you can keep at hand for those times that your mouth is itching to munch on something while you’re stressing and close to pulling your hair out.
1. Granola bars. Most of these babies aren’t harmful to your diet because it is about slightly less than 200 calories each. Made of all-natural ingredients, granola bars have no trans fat or cholesterol, is packed with protein, and promises satiate your cravings without spoiling your meals.
2. Rice cakes. If you’re not afraid of carbs, rice cakes are great because they are generally low in fat and calories but they taste like your ordinary savoury food. So you can “cheat” your stomach into thinking that you’re actually having a meal. Some rice cakes contain as low as only 50 calories per serving.
3. Trail mix. Walk into the supermarket, and grab a bag of nut mix. Not all mixes are low in fat or calories but at 150 calories per handful, it’s pretty safe to munch on. Nuts of sorts are also a good course of vitamins and minerals!
4. Yogurt. This is perhaps your safest bet when it comes to snacking (about 130 calories per cup). Yogurts are filling, yummy (choose your favourite flavor or go plain!). There are also low-fat versions so if you’re watching your fat intake, go for those. Alternatively, you could also “jazz up” your yogurt snack with pieces of your granola bar or a pinch of trail mix.
If you don’t know what you’re in the mood for at any given time, then our advice is to keep a little bit of everything at hand (in the pantry, in your drawer, on your desk, etc.) then decide. You won’t break your calorie bank just yet. So, snack away! And snack more on our behalf.
