Surviving the Snack Attack

When it comes to snacking, most people enthuse over crisps, biscuits and sweets and end up over indulging in a mini-meal. Snacks are supposed to help you stay full between meals and come in many under appreciated forms that can be good for your health, energy boosting and filling. The best news is that they can actually help you stay slimmer, if you snack on the right thing. People tend to make their worst diet decisions when they're famished. So, in order to survive the so-called 'snack attack', having nutritious snacks between each meal will increase your metabolism and help you burn calories.

When you're being active on a fitness holiday, keeping your energy up is even more important. Staying in the sun for extended periods of time can drain you and tiredness will have a negative effect on what you consume at mealtimes. Many experts recommend eating smaller meals throughout the day as opposed to having three. This 'little and often' tactic is designed to keep your blood sugar levels stable so you don't hit that mid-afternoon crash and remain energised all the way through until dinner.

3 Simple steps you can take to snack healthily:

1. First and foremost, portion size is key. Limit a snack to about 150 calories, take it out of the packet and make sure you put the rest back in the fridge or cupboard to resist having more than you need.

2. Fruit and vegetables are always a safe bet for snacking due to their low calorie and fat content. In addition, the so-called ' superfoods' are perfect as light snacks throughout the day. Balancing these with a combination of lean protein, healthy fat and complex carbohydrates (anything wholemeal) will keep you feeling fuller for longer.

3. It is very easy to mistake thirst for hunger so accompany snacks with a glass of water. Not only is this an easy way to get your recommended 2 litres a day, it will also make you feel fuller, healthier and more hydrated and less likely to want to go back for seconds.

While snacking is sometimes regarded as the direct opposite of a healthy diet, it is clear that incorporating it into an active lifestyle can help you maintain and manage your weight. Snacking on the right things, at the right time will keep you feeling fuller for longer and prevent over indulging at meal times so it really is that simple to survive the 'snack attack'.

Source
http://www.healthandfitnesstravel.com.au/blog/surviving-the-snack-attack