Many individuals believe that fat-free cookies are healthier than ordinary cookies, and that a chef salad is far superior to a cheeseburger. However, many meals that are marketed as “healthy” are actually high in hidden calories and sugar.
Despite your best efforts to eat healthy snacks, many of your selections may be harming your health and weight. Even granola, which is a popular healthy food, isn’t as nutritious as you might assume, thanks to added sugar and the large amount sizes that most people consume.
Is my nutritious snack actually nutritious?
Karen Massey, an INTEGRIS dietitian and community nutrition educator, explains that any food can be good or unhealthy. It all comes down to the quality of the nutrients you obtain from your food.
“How do you know whether your ostensibly healthy snack is actually junk food?” “All meal options are on a spectrum with varying nutrient density (quality),” she explains. Although so-called junk meals don’t provide many nutrients, they might nonetheless be included for ‘fun’ in a larger picture.
“Marshmallows won’t win any nutrition prizes,” Massey adds, “but a few aren’t an issue when blended with a diet that otherwise contains a variety of healthful foods from the major groups.” “On the other hand, eating an apple won’t make up for eating a basket of fried steak.”
What factors should I consider when selecting healthy snacks?
Snack selections should, ideally, follow the same logic as meal selections. After all, snacks account for a sizable amount of the average American’s daily calorie intake.
“At snack time, incorporate fruit, vegetables, low-fat dairy, nutritious grains, and lean protein foods to fulfil health goals,” she says.
“Every person is unique,” says the author. Snacking does not have a recommended ‘quota.’ “A person’s activity level, body size, medical state, schedule, and personal preferences all influence how many snacks they consume,” adds Massey. Some people don’t snack at all, while others get a large amount of their daily calories from snacks spread throughout the day
Healthy snack ideas
If you’re having trouble locating nutritious snacks, we have a few suggestions! Snacks that are healthy include:
String cheese with a low fat content
a handful of pistachios or almonds that haven’t been salted
Fruits such as an apple, banana, or other fruits
A couple of teaspoons of hummus or almond butter on carrot sticks
3 oz. guacamole with sliced red bell pepper
a half-cup of berries in Greek yoghurt
Low-sugar peanut butter or almond butter with apple slices
Kale chips that have been baked
Avoiding Snack Foods
Extra calories or preservatives in some snacks might throw your blood sugar out of whack and create sleepiness. When picking food, stay away from:
Added sugar: Even simple foods like granola or dried fruit can contain a lot of sugar.
Soft drinks or “energy” drinks: Just one more 12-ounce can of sweetened beverage each day can add up to 15 pounds over the course of a year. Because of the extra sugar, sports and energy beverages are just as unhealthy.
Baked sweets: It may be difficult to resist the break room doughnuts, but cookies and pastries are high in processed carbohydrates, bad fats, salt, and, of course, sugar.
White foods include white bread, potatoes, cakes, rice, and pasta.