Avoiding snacks will help you lose weight: fact or fiction?

Snacks: friend or foe?

In order to maintain a healthy weight, you’ve decided to cut out snacks. But is this a good strategy?

Avoiding snacks is a good way to lose weight: fact or fiction?

This is a myth. When hunger strikes, it’s actually important to eat before you get too hungry.

Refueling every three to four hours with nutritious snacks or meals provides you with nutrients and energy, stabilizes your blood sugar levels, and helps you manage your appetite. Managing your appetite is key to eating less during meals and maintaining a healthy weight.

Plus, snacks help both adults and children stay productive and focused throughout the day, at school and at work!

A healthy and nutritious snack contains both carbohydrates and protein. Some examples are:

• A homemade muffin
• A fruit and a piece of cheese
• A yogurt
• Raw vegetables and hummus
• Mixed nuts and dried fruit

Remember to avoid fruit juice and sweets because they are too high in carbohydrates and probably won’t keep you satisfied until your next meal.

Rest assured, snacks are our friends!