Four Questions To Ask Yourself Before You Snack

There’s nothing wrong with having a snack, just make sure you’re doing it for the right reasons
Okay, let me start by saying that I am definitely PRO-SNACK! I find that I have to have a nibble in between my main meals of the day or I turn into a hangry monster; yes, I said hangry. But when exactly should you reach for that extra little something?

Eating small meals throughout the day (including snacks) helps keep your metabolism running at its peak, plus it helps keep your blood sugar levels on an even keel. When you have better control over your blood sugar, you can put yourself in a better position regarding things like your risk for diabetes, as well as your overall health.
Of course, just because it’s okay to reach for a snack (if you really need it), you still want to reach for healthy choices, at least most of the time. (I’m not going to even try and pretend that I don’t sometimes prefer the Oreo over the apple). You also want to take a moment to make sure you’re snacking for the right reason, so before you grab that extra nibble, ask yourself these four questions:

Do you have to eat right now? How hungry are you at the moment you find yourself wanting a snack? Maybe you are genuinely hungry, and you know you won’t be eating lunch for another two hours, so definitely grab a bite! However, if your next meal is less than an hour away, reconsider your hunger level; it could be understandable since you’re approaching mealtime, and you can more than likely wait until it’s time to eat.

Have some handy, portion-controlled snacks at the ready, and if you are hungry, eat. Depriving yourself is only going to lead to a binge-fest. If you find that you are often hungry throughout the day, reassess your calorie intake compared to the number of calories you are burning; make sure that you are eating enough to properly fuel your body. Using an app like myfitnesspal is a great way to keep track of what you are eating and how much you need to consume for your daily activity level.

Could you just be thirsty? Sometimes, we can mistake other feelings for hunger. You may simply be thirsty, so if you are tempted to snack, drink a cup of water first. Also, since your stomach feels full based on volume, not calories, a drink of water might be just enough to satisfy you at that moment. Plus, you get to reap the remarkable benefits of drinking water! 🙂

Are you bored or stressed? If you’re not thirsty, could you be bored or stressed? I am definitely guilty of sometimes eating just because I have nothing to do. In these moments, I stop myself and look for a quick distraction; I’ll go for a walk, put some time into my latest jigsaw puzzle, or try to tackle a small home-improvement project, like this 10-minute closet taming. 🙂  Whatever your hobbies or likes are, try to refocus your brain for a few moments and distract yourself with a task that works for you. If you’re a mom battling stress, check out these tips that can help!

Do you just want cake? I love cake! Especially wedding cake. Sometimes, I will just bake a cake because I want to eat cake. I get it, sometimes, you just want to eat because you want to eat. Whatever your food weakness is, you just want it. It’s fine to indulge every once and a while, the issue comes in when you do it all of the time. So, if you can’t resist temptation, then keep it out of your house and make sure to only indulge now and then.

After you ask yourself these questions, if you decide that you do indeed really want and need a snack, then reach for a healthy option at least 8 out of 10 times. A snack should be between 50 and 150 calories, and having nutritious options at the ready makes it easier to make a healthy choice.

Keep some of these yummy and healthy snacks on hand to enjoy:

• Apple and peanut butter
• Celery and peanut butter
• ½ cup of almonds
• ¼ cup of almonds mixed with a tablespoon of dark chocolate chips
• Raw veggies like carrots or broccoli
• Greek yogurt
• Fresh fruit like strawberries, oranges, and blueberries
• Low-fat string cheese

It’s okay and perfectly normal to feel a little hungry here and there, especially as you get closer to mealtime or if you’re on a reduced-calorie diet. However, if you feel so hungry that you are sick, light-headed, or nauseous, then your body is telling you it needs more. This is where snacking can become a powerful weapon in keeping you healthy and strong; you just need to know how to wield it.

How about you? What are your biggest temptations when it comes to snacking? What are your tricks for snacking smart?

*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.