Healthy Snacking

Healthy Snacking

Spread the word: Snacking between meals is good for you! Eating when you're hungry will keep you from overindulging at mealtime. The key is knowing what to fuel your body with to keep you feeling full and your metabolism humming. Try these ideas when your next snack attack hits. Make your own snack mix. Combine nuts, dried fruit, carob or chocolate chips, and cereal pieces. Try a savory selection of several cereals, pretzels, nuts, and rice crackers.
Whip up a berry parfait. Layer fresh raspberries, cherries, or blueberries with granola and yogurt or freshly whipped cream. Take a dip. In a food processor, mix 1/2 cup peanut butter with 2 tablespoons orange juice concentrate, 1 tablespoon brown sugar, and 1/3 cup orange juice. Run through food processor and accompany with crackers or sliced fruit. Have a half a sandwich. On whole grain bread or a pita pocket, try any of these fillings: nut butter (peanut, almond, or sunflower) and fruit-only jam, egg salad, tuna salad, tomato and cheese, cream cheese and apple butter, or turkey and Swiss cheese. Munch on carrots. Got an urge for crunch? Grab a bag of baby carrots. Dip them in hummus or tzatziki (a Greek cucumber-yogurt dip) for a mid-afternoon energy boost. Protein and fiber are key ingredients in snacks that really satisfy.