Why Snacks Are Important?
Snacks, ummm!!! That’s what comes to mind when you think of snacks and its something all of us just can not resist. Its tempting to go grab a burger and fries or an ice-cream. But there’s something at the back of our heads telling us not to eat too much of it or parents yelling at us to stop having too much of them and spoil lunch and dinner. But if right foods are given at the right times, snacks can play an important role in providing that much needed nutrition. A well-timed snack can lessen hunger pangs and give the right energy boost between each meal.
Kids as we all know do a lot of out door sports and games which generally take up a lot of their energy and this is when snacks should be made nutritious so that they provide both the urge to eat and at the same time give the body its essential nutrients, kind of a refuel .An Ideal snacking rule is a morning, noon and evening snack. Healthy snacks must be rich in nutritients - low in salt, fat, and sugar. Fresh vegetables and fruit, foods that contain whole grains and protein are good choices too. Healthy snacking is not just about offering the right food; it’s also how much is served and when. Portion sizes and timing of snacks must be kept in mind so that they don’t get in the way of your appetite for the next meal. Snacking on nutritious food can keep energy levels high and the mind alert.
Here are some snack ideas that might be useful:
- low-sugar, whole-grain breakfast cereal with low-fat milk
- fruit smoothies made with low-fat milk or yogurt
- low-fat cheese
- fruit slices dipped in low-fat flavored yogurt
- nuts and raisins
- whole-wheat pita slices, cut up veggies
Now this doesn’t mean you entirely forget and can’t gorge on your favorite bag of chips and those tempting scoops of ice cream. Once in a while you could indulge in them , because its important to pamper yourself too .Key is make a conscious effort to make snacking more nutritious like when there’s a hunger pang, instead of reaching for a bag of popcorn , go for a fruit or some cereal with low fat milk or a low fat fruit smoothie.
Stock up your refrigerator with food that’s healthy rather than surrounding yourself with tempting junk food, plan ahead and make a snack chart and stick it up in your kitchen, don’t just eat because you have nothing to do, go out there and do some outdoor activity, burn those extra calories and have low fat products or better still fill yourself with just fruit that is rich in vitamins and fiber and stay healthy and in shape.