Snack Like A Pro: Master Healthy Snacking That Works!

As a practicing physician, I encourage my patients to ask me anything about living a healthier lifestyle. Questions about nutrition are the most popular. The other day, I was asked, “Hey Doc, you give lots of ideas and suggestions about meals, but what about when I’m between meals and watching a ball game or hanging out with my family? What are some healthy snacking options that we can enjoy?”

I told my patient what I’m about to share with you. The key to snacking like a pro is learning to make smart food choices and incorporate them into real-life, everyday situations (I even wrote a Super Snacks Cookbook!). It is what I want you to know about the importance, benefits, and how-tos of healthy snacking.

Why You Should up Your Game and Snack Smarter

When it comes to nutrition, the focus tends to be on your meals, but it should be on everything you eat, including snacks. Snacking often gets a bad rap, but what you eat between meals is a crucial part of your diet. On average, about 24% of your daily calories come from snacks. So choosing healthy options impacts your overall health and wellness goals.

Some of my favorite benefits of healthy snacking include:

• Increased energy
• It supports even blood sugar levels.
• Increased focus and concentration
• Provides daily essential nutrients
• Prevents overeating
• Supports weight control
• Reduces cravings
• Boosts your mood
• It helps fight heart disease, depression, and anxiety.

How to Implement a Healthy Snacking Strategy

If I were to give you only one piece of advice, it would be this: keep your strategy simple! Eating healthy shouldn’t feel like an overwhelming chore. Making realistic choices that compliment your lifestyle is all you need to achieve long-term success.

But when have you known me to give only one piece of advice? I’m about to drop some expert knowledge that will have you snacking like a pro in no time. These are the questions I get the most – and the answers you need to know:

Q. When should I snack?

A. Snack between meals (but only when hungry). It will help keep your blood sugar even and prevent you from getting super hungry (when bad choices happen).

Q. How much snacking is too much?

A. It’s fun to reach for your favorite snacks, but you have to manage how much you’re eating and what you’re eating. Try to master portion control. Instead of eating until you feel stuffed, stop eating once satisfied. Savor the moment and focus on the delicious flavors and textures.

Q. What is mindful eating, and does that apply to snacking?

A. Mindful eating applies to everything you eat – meals and snacks. It’s nothing more than thinking before you eat. Get in the habit of asking yourself questions before you snack. Will this nourish me? Am I really hungry, or am I just bored or emotional? How will I feel afterward (good, energized, sluggish)? If there isn’t a benefit, eat something else.

Q. How do I know if I’m doing it right?

A. You know by listening to your body. So many people eat unhealthy foods and then feel awful afterward! They reach for pills or antacids every time they eat, and it doesn’t have to be that way. Bloating, nausea, fatigue, and sluggishness are all signs that you can make healthier choices. If that happens, it’s ok! All you have to do is listen to your body and pay attention to the signs. Nourish your body with healthier snacks, and you’ll feel so good after you eat.

Q. What are some things I can do to snack smarter?

A. You have so many options! Here are a few of my personal favorites:

• Follow the 80/20 Rule. Eat healthy 80% of the time, and enjoy some of your favorite foods 20%. You’ll stick with purposeful healthy eating and honor your commitment to foods that nourish your body and soul by not feeling deprived.
• Plan ahead. A saying goes, “Those who are nutritionally unprepared wind up at the McDonald’s drive-thru.” Ok, that’s not a saying, but there is truth in it! Stocking up on healthy snacks means you’ll always have something healthy at the ready. You’ll avoid making bad choices that become very tempting when you have nothing else to eat. Take the time to make your healthy snacks, and you’ll be prepared to make more rational choices that won’t derail your progress.
• Use snacks to fill nutritional gaps. If you typically don’t get enough fruits and veggies, try snacking on celery with a bit of peanut butter or yogurt with your favorite fruit. It’s a fun way to get more of the essential vitamins and minerals.

Q. So long as my meals are healthy, make my snack choices matter?

A. Absolutely! Healthy snacks provide all of the benefits listed above and round out your overall nutrition – one of the most significant contributors to a long and healthy life!

Q. What are some healthy snack options?

A. Where to start? There are so many healthy options that keep your new healthy habit fun and easy to maintain! The key is to go for snacks made with healthy, natural, and whole foods, as these choices will keep you full, energized, and nourished all day long. Here are a few of my favorites (and don’t forget to grab your free instant download of my Super Snacks Cookbook – there are over 40 fabulous recipes!):

• Vegan Buffalo Cauliflower Wings. The perfect snack for Super Bowl Sunday! The recipe includes my own Dr. Nandi’s Ranch Dressing (because you don’t want to take your healthy snacks and drown them in fattening dips!).
• Coconut Apricot Balls. Delicious, easy to make, and perfect for snacking on the go!
• Seasoned Chestnuts. Ridiculously good and good for you. Chestnuts can increase your energy, improve bone health and fight off damaging free radicals.

Are you ready to snack like a pro? I challenge you to take the first step. Make one small change – swap out one processed food snack with one healthy alternative once a week. This small change will have a significant impact on your overall health.

If you have questions about healthy snacking, please send me an email to share your thoughts.

Make healthy living a part of every day.

The light in me honors the light in you. Namaste.

Dr. Nandi

Partha’s Rx

• Change the way you snack. If you’ve ever gotten stuck in snack ideas, you need my Super Snacks Cookbook, which provides over 40 easy recipes with the healthiest ingredients and superfoods to support your health and wellness goals.
• Be mindful. Think about how you choose to nourish yourself. Make informed choices. Nourish your body with healthy snacks every day!
• Keep it simple. Health Heroes know that keeping things simple is the best way to achieve long-term success. Stick with healthy snacks that are easy to make and pack a nutritional punch, and you’ll be snacking like a pro in no time!