Your Healthy Summer Snack Plan
With summer upon us, our schedules heat up and we’re constantly on the go so it’s sometimes difficult to watch everything we eat, especially in the snack department. Snacking is a vital part of your daily eating regimen, yet if you are relying upon typical store bought snacks to fill in between meals, you may find yourself spilling out of your swimsuit at some point. You need a simple plan that can ensure you always have health snacks when you are on the go.
This simple plan can ensure that you get your fill while nourishing your body with essential nutrients, and keep the weight off. Over the period of a summer, 100 to 200 unnecessary calories per day could translate into several extra pounds. With this plan, you’ll be able to cut those calories and spare the tire around your waist.
Let’s go over a couple of simple guidelines:
Portion Control. It’s okay to eat a couple of healthy snacks each day. They key, just as it is with your meals, is keep your portion control in line with your daily calorie requirements. Never eat snacks right out of the bag or carton.
Protein and Fiber – Good. Protein and fiber are essential nutrients and, when found in large quantities in your snacks, they will keep you full longer.
Fat– Bad. Of course you know this, however, the right kind of fat, when found in normal quantities in our cooked meals is good. Try to get most of your fat from your meals.
Carbohydrates – OK. Stay away from carbs found in processed foods especially sugars (including corn syrup). Stick with good carbs found in fruits, veggies, whole grains, and fiber heavy foods.
Here’s Your Plan for Healthy Summer Snacks
Create Your Own. Take a trip down to the health food store where you can scoop your own nuts, cereals, dried fruits and grains from the bins. You can stock up for the summer. Use small sandwich bags to create different combinations of your own trail mix. Stay away from granola, coated nuts, and items made from processed wheat. The cost savings alone are worth it, but you’ll end up with much tastier and healthier snacks. Sunflower and flax seeds are especially healthy additions to the mix
Go Nuts. Grab some extra bags of almonds, pistachios and walnuts – some of the most nutritious nuts you can get. . If you find yourself needing a quick snack near dinner, down a handful of any of these for a good protein fill. You may find yourself eating smaller portions at dinner and, the healthy fats found in these nuts actually help you keep weight off. Just don’t overindulge.
Ants on a Log. What? You never heard of that? You can make up a bunch of these all at once and they’ll keep for several days. Get a stalk of celery, grab a jar of peanut butter and start slathering. There’s nothing lighter than celery to hold your peanut butter, which is another, healthy way to get some protein and good fats. Very filling. Oh wait. Add some raising (the ants!) for the extra fiber. Cream cheese is a great change up.
Sack the Sodas. Summertime and sodas seem to go together, especially when you’re on the run. The best way to cut loads of calories from your diet is to stop with the sugar-based drinks. There’s plenty of good, tasty, sugar-free drinks, so there is no need to drink high calorie sodas or juices. Pack some water in your car and, along with it have a supply of sugar free Crystal Light packets to pour in the bottle. For a refreshing weight loss alternative, get a case of sugar-free, cold green tea.
Start your healthy summer snack plan today. One trip to the store is all you will need for a summer’s worth of yummy, filling and healthy snacks. |
