Is Your Snacking Out of Control?

Mostly everyone enjoys a good snack. But what happens when you can’t control the munchies and your nibbling gets in the way of your fitness goals? A more important question might be: why is this happening? I believe it boils down to one or more of the following: stress, skipped meals, or cultural habits. Understanding where you stand, and developing a plan can help you get off this rollercoaster.

1. STRESS - For some of us, food is a form of self medication during stressful moments. The satisfying crunch of a potato chip, the pure pleasure of a scoop of ice cream all involve chemical processes within the body. Sometimes in a world that's out of control, food feels like the one thing we have power over.

2. TOO BUSY - Other times we skip balanced meals because life is so busy we either don’t have time to prepare whole meals, or don’t want to interrupt work to focus on food. Under these circumstances our bodies still crave nutrients, and snacking is an attempt to nourish the body, though it usually falls terribly short. Most popular snacks are vitamin and nutrient deficient, so we never solve the problem. We just stave off hunger until the next snack.

3. ENTERTAINMENT - Finally there are some forms of entertainment, that we traditionally pair with snacking. For instance, watching a movie or show seems to always feel better with popcorn, chips, or candy. Hosting friends at home, or hanging out around town almost always involves appetizers and tasty treats.
   

All of these scenarios feel so natural, but are accompanied by empty, extra calories that slow our progress. So what do we do?

BE PREPARED. Meal prepping is the most ideal response, but having healthy snacks or supplements readily available, at home or in the car, can be really helpful. Below are a few snacks that have helped me and many of my clients snack responsibly. Simply click on the titles to purchase from my Amazon page!

PROTEIN BARS - Quest bars are great because they are low sugar, high protein, and high fiber. A quest bar is quite filling and can hold me over for a couple of hours! (Click here to buy)

PROTEIN CHIPS - Quest protein chips are a healthier option than the average potato chip. They are less starchy, and contain way more protein which means they are more filling. This brand has a few tasty flavors as well! (Click here to buy)

PROTEIN COOKIES - The Atkins Protein Cookie has fewer calories than the Quest Cookie (less fat, and less sugar alcohol). Though it has a little less protein, it's a great lower calorie option if you're counting! (Click here to order)

ALMOND PACKS - Almonds are a great snack because they are a good source of fiber, protein, Vitamin E, and magnesium. Overeating them can add on lots of calories, so the travel packs are ideal for portion control! (Click here to buy).