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Wednesday, October 22, 2014

10 COMMANDMENTS OF SNACKING

An example of a good and healthy
snack brought to you by:
skinnymom.com
Having a snack is often neglected to be a random need to stay nourished because it's either you didn't have time to eat a proper meal or that you are on a diet and you are cheating on yourself making it believe that you're eating lesser than usual. Emily Bibb, Assistant Editor of Popsugar, aims to make you see snacking in a different perspective by writing the 10 Commandments of Snacking. You see, I've been researching for healthy substitutes on what I loved doing:

eating 3 big meals a day,
packing up on rice and
not including that much veggies in my diet.

I just gave birth and I would want to lose the excess weight yet be efficient in breast feeding my baby. How do I do that? By doing right exercise and eating healthy. And by eating healthy, I mean increasing the portion of veggies and fruits, decreasing that of carbs, substituting it with less sugary sources and most of all, maintaing good eating habits considering, portion sizes as mentioned earlier, eating more frequently: 6 times! Eating more frequently somehow keeps the body's metabolism up, somehow leaving no food not utilised.

So, I've come across an important lay out and I thought of sharing it in my blog as my own reminder. This is a repost of the original one infused with illustrations to help you better understand her point. Here it goes:

Chili's Queso Recipe:
Gluten Free!
Click here!
1. Thou Shalt Measure It Out

Once you choose a snack measure out the appropriate serving, leave the kitchen and sit down to enjoy it. Avoid eating straight from the box of cereal or while standing at the kitchen counter, because you're more likely to keep going back for more (and more!).

2. Thou Shalt Fill in the Gaps

Use snacks to fill in the holes in your diet. If you didn't get your greens in at lunch, munch on a few veggies in the afternoon. This will ensure you have a  well-balanced diet - not to mention fruits and veggies are lower in calories and higher in nutritional value than a handful of candy.

3. Thou Shalt Acknowledge Cravings

Can't stop daydreaming about chocolate? Don't try to suppress it. Instead, see if you can come up with a diet-friendly alternative that'll satisfy the craving so you don't over indulge later on. Try these healthy chocolate snacks that won't undo your diet.

4. Thou Shalt Keep It Under 200 Calories

It's important to keep snacks between 150 and 200 calories, especially if you're trying to lose weight. Although this sounds small, there are plenty of options under 150 calories that are satisfying and filling.

5. Thou Shalt Consider the Workout

The right snack is key to a good workout and recovery. Pre-workout snacks should offer a combo of protein and carbs, and you should offer a combo or protein and carbs, and you should nosh on your snack about 30 minutes before setting out to exercise. For a good recovery, also choose post-workout snacks that are a combo of protein and carbs to build and repair muscle and quickly recoup lost energy.

6. Thou Shalt Pair It With Water

Fill a reusable water bottle or a glass with nature's beverage, and sip a few ounces after each bite of snack. The water will help you feel full and satisfied without adding any calories.

7. Thou Shalt Savor It

Since snacks are small, make your snack last at least 15 minutes and really savour each bite. Slowing down when eating will help you feel satiated by the time you finish, which will prevent you from wanting to reach for more. Don't forget to apply the same rule for meals too!

8. Thou Shalt Make It A Triple Threat

Don't just reach for a handful of crackers. For a satisfying snack, the right combination of proteins, carbs, and fats will keep you feeling full and allow your blood sugar levels to stabilise so you don't crash and burn. Stick to a combination of fruits, veggies and bread with nuts, yogurt or cheese.


9. Thou Shalt Pack It

When you're on the go, you're likely to snatch up whichever snack is most convenient (cough, cough, chips!). Rather than settling for unhealthy picks, make sure that you always have a healthy choice on hand. Keep protein-packed energy bars or a small bag of nuts in your nurse so that you're never forced to go with an unhealthy on-the-go option.

10. Thou Shalt Make It A Do For A Weight Loss

Although you're consuming calories, snacking can actually help you lose weight. It satiates your hunger, making you less likely to reach for high-calorie treats when you're beyond starving or to eat more at dinner than you normally would.

Related posts:

1. GOOD TO KNOW - These are fun facts you may find beneficial for home cooking.
2. WHICH DO YOU EAT MORE - Bad habits leading to fatal results. Read on!
3. AFFORDABLE FOOD IN HONG KONG - Tourists may find this exciting to try and useful for the trip most especially if they are on a budget!

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