Eating between meals is common among most people. Whether you are a construction worker, or a manager or a work from home mom, munching tit bits or snacks is commonplace.

In between hectic schedules and work related stress, it’s whole lot easier to just grab some fries or a burger. This does temporarily take care of the hunger pangs and may provide you with a much needed boost; however this is potentially dangerous in the long run.

Is snacking healthy?

While eating fat rich or high calorie snacks is harmful for the body, eating healthy or nutritious snacks can keep your energy levels high and your mind alert and is a great way to kill the hunger.
Smart snacking tips

Here are some tips on healthy snacking:

  • Prepare and stock up on healthy snacks. Keep fresh fruits, low fat yogurts, and vegetables at home. You can use them for fillers and toppings on your sandwiches or just munch on them. Healthy and scrumptious these make for tasty snacks.
  • Try different substitutes for your favorite snacks. Instead of eating a chocolate bar try drinking a cup of hot chocolate or eat pretzels instead of chips. You can do the same with sandwiches or any other snacks. The idea is to keep calories low yet not loose out on flavor or variety.
  • Get creative with your snacks. Eating healthy does not have to be boring. Mix different ingredients and experiment a little. Low fat fruit yogurts, whole wheat pretzels with spicy mustard, find out your tastes and work on it.
  • To avoid weight gain, keep away from foods with simple carbohydrates (sugar) like sweets, candy or sodas. Go in for complex carbohydrates like whole wheat bread and cereals. Couple them with protein rich snacks.
  • Check serving size information. Many times a small packet of cookies or chips may contain extra servings. This will add on to your fat and calories intake, so be careful about how much the serving size really is.

The key to smart snacking like everything else is moderation. It is natural to feel hungry at times, but knowing how much your body needs and what is good for you is critical. And therein lies the difference between healthy snacking and over eating.