Lookin’ Like a Snack
"I need to stop snacking."
"I eat pretty well except for snacks."
"I can't stop snacking at night."
I talk to so many clients who feel guilty about snacking or think it's a bad thing, but that's not true.
Smart snacking can be a key component of balanced nutrition. Snacks are a great way to fit more nutrients into each day and prevent overeating at meals.
Maybe you prefer to eat a smaller breakfast. Adding a mid-morning snack can make up for any nutrients or calories you didn't consume in your first meal of the day and prevent you from feeling ravenously hungry before lunchtime.
Maybe you're in a post-work workout routine. Having a snack before hitting the gym will give you more energy to get through your training session or class and can prevent you from feeling weak or lightheaded.
Endurance athletes -- runners, cyclists, distance hikers -- all know the importance of "intraworkout fuel," also known as "trail snacks."
For exercise lasting less than two hours, hydration is the main focus, but if you're going to be exercising longer than that, you'll want to get a small amount of protein and more carbs every hour, in the form of easy to digest foods. This is not the time for fibrous veggies and whole grains; it's the time for gels, trail mix, and gummy bears.
If you feel like you're "always" snacking, or you always crave certain things, that can provide valuable insight into gaps in your overall nutrition.
When I was on an all-day hike last week, almost everyone in the group bought a bag of chips when we stopped after the hike, which is a pretty good sign that we hadn't done a great job getting electrolytes (aka salt) throughout the day.
If you're always snacking during the day, your meals might not be large enough, or balanced enough, to keep you satiated.
And if you feel out of control with nighttime snacking, that's often a clue that your body hasn't gotten enough calories and nutrients the rest of the day -- you're hungry!
Of course, snacks can have other purposes, too. We could snack because we've gotten into the habit of doing so, or because we're trying to comfort ourselves during times of stress, or because we've just zoned out and are mindlessly eating in front of the tv or computer.
Snacking doesn't have to be a problem. In fact, snacks can be your secret weapon to boosting your nutrition and health.
If you need help identifying your snacking patterns and hacking them to eat healthier, get in touch to set up a nutrition coaching consultation. Use this link to book a free discovery call.
