Here’s a breath of fresh air: It’s OK to snack, whether you’re trying to lose weight, maintain weight or just get through the day! In fact, snacking between meals can keep your metabolism humming and your energy and mood steady. Of course, it’s not a total free pass. It’s important to make healthy snack choices that satisfy yet don’t break the calorie bank for the day.Plan it. To prevent overeating at meals, fit a morning and afternoon snack into your schedule. Planning your snack means you’ll have a healthy option ready when your stomach rumbles so you don’t pounce on the nearest vending machine or easy-to-grab chip bag. When you’re on the go, keep a healthy snack with you.
Know your taste buds. If you always crave sweets in the afternoon, plan to have fresh berries, a crisp apple or a juicy tangerine handy. You could even top it off with a small piece of dark chocolate and still be in the safety zone. Or if crunch is what you crave, keep a handful of nuts on call.
Span the food groups. Nuts and seeds are good sources of protein that keep hunger at bay and offer other important nutrients. Whole grains are high in filling fiber and give you an energy boost from carbohydrates. And fruits and vegetables offer vital nutrients along with fiber. Low-fat dairy is another good choice to boost your daily calcium intake.
Practice portions. Be careful not to make a snack a meal-size extravaganza. Until you know your portions, measure your snacks and know their calorie content.
Keep it interesting. Try something new for the ultimate snacking satisfaction. Sample star fruit. Chop up jicama sticks for a crunchy alternative to carrots. Mix up your choice of nuts: Almonds one day, soy nuts the next — or a little of both.
To satisfy your sweet tooth, indulge in one of these homemade Reliv granola bars for guilt-free goodness anytime!
Katrina van Oudheusden’s Reliv Now® for Kids Granola Bars
Ingredients:
- 1/4 c. Butter
- 1/4 c. Honey
- 1/3 c. Light Brown Sugar Packed
- 2 c. Quick Cook Oats
- 1 c. Rice Cereal
- 1 or 2 Scoops Reliv® Now for Kids Vanilla
- Chocolate Chips (or nuts, raisins, etc.)
Directions:
Mix together oats, rice cereal, and Reliv Now for Kids.
Melt butter, honey and brown sugar. Bring to a simmer and reduce heat. Cook for 2 minutes. Mix with dry ingredients.
Pour mixture into a lightly greased small pan.
Press together until 3/4″ thick. Sprinkle with chocolate chips and let cool at room temperature until set.