Snacks to have sometimes
Sometimes snacks
Depriving yourself of your favourite goodies can spoil your plans to eat well if you overindulge when you "cave" to your cravings. Here are some snacks to enjoy some of the time, but not often!
1. Candy
Keeping a candy bowl on your desk is not such a great idea. It's basically a bowl of refined sugar. “Candy is nutrient-empty, but laden with calories,” warns Mansfield. Best to satisfy an occasional candy craving with a trip to the store. At least you'll burn some calories in the meantime.
2. Store-bought snack packs
From chips to cheesies, it seems convenience-sized snack packs are everywhere. But handy isn't always smart -- or environment-friendly with excess plastic packaging. Everyone needs a little more ease in their life, but save these snacks for the craziest of days.
3. Granola bars
There's a greater variety of granola bars than ever before, and many sweet additions have snuck into this category. Mini marshmallows, chocolate chips or chocolate coating have become commonplace. But there's no need to skip this aisle at the supermarket. Mansfield explains what to look for. “The better granola bars will be whole-grain based, with nuts, seeds and dried fruit.”
4. Cookies
A nice biscuit may seem like the perfect thing to complement your afternoon cup of tea, but keeping a whole box nearby could lead to overindulgence. “They have lots of calories, but few nutrients,” explains Mansfield. Save these treats for a special occasion.
5. Protein bars
These healthy-looking treats share shelf space with candy bars, but often aren't better options. Mansfield thinks you should hang on to your wallet because while you may be tempted to buy these bars that were so popular with the low-carb, high-protein dieting craze, there are more nutritious options. Find these healthier options in the aforementioned "Smart snacks" section.
When you make smart snacking choices, you can keep your body well-fuelled and your mind alert all day long. It's definitely time to strike “snacking” off your dirty word list for good.
Discover more healthy eating tips in the Nutrition and Diet section of our Health & Nutrition channel.
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