To Snack or Not to Snack?
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To Snack or Not to Snack That is the (nutrition) question for this month's modern mom. When it comes to what to eat, when to eat it, and how much to eat it seems everyone has an opinion, so what is a modern mom to do? This two part series provides some helpful hints for snacking healthfully that should work for your kids and you the modern mom.
1) Snack now, avoid overeating later.
With today's hectic schedules, a snack can mean the difference between eating well and overeating or eating poorly later.
When we are tired or hungry, our brain signals the body to demand fuel and our emotions often jump right in to signal the need for a pick me-up. A good rule of thumb is to focus on the two and a half to three and a half hours between eating occasions.
2) BYOS bring your own snack is the way to ensure not only a healthier choice, but also one you know you (and your kids) like.
a.
For example, the only good reason an oatmeal cookie shouldn't be an afternoon snack its poor quality highly processed containing ingredients such as partially hydrogenated oil or high fructose corn syrup -- but if you know what's in the ingredients, if it's homemade or if you've been able to read the label, you can bring it for you and the family to enjoy.
b.
Likewise, when you travel, bringing popcorn as a snack for the plane movie is a great, convenient, easy snack and if you make it air-popped at home you can avoid the high sodium trap of most convenience snacks offered at the airport or one planes. Plus, you and the kids can each 'dress up' your own serving of popcorn to make it how you want it all the more enjoyable for each person.
3) Snack or Meal, what IS the difference. I use the term "eating occasion" to get away from defining a snack or a meal as I find people often get confused by how much to eat at one time.
For example, a medium apple with a tablespoon of almond butter might be 150-200 calories, but so might a large salad with some chicken on it and a mustard vinaigrette or salsa dressing -- is one a meal and the other a snack?
There is no right answer. Try to craft an eating occasion to be satisfying (what do you or the kids want) and to help balance your nutrient intake for the day.
a. For example, if you have oatmeal for breakfast, maybe your snack will be two or three deviled egg halves (I like to stuff mine with guacamole instead of the egg yolk for a healthier fat option).
b. If you have an apple with peanut butter for breakfast or a mid-morning snack, try having veggies with hummus as your mid-afternoon snack.
c. Leftovers make great snacks. A meatball with some carrots, a small slice of lasagna, chicken "strips" to dip into dressing
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