Eating Healthy Snacks Are a Good Way to Keep Your Metabolism Going

You may think you have the perfect day planned for dieting. A healthy breakfast with a low calorie sausage patty and eggs for protein, whole wheat toast for grains, and a piece of melon, and a hot cup of coffee. You have a healthy lunch packed, and fresh asparagus and fish fillets in the refrigerator to prepare for supper.

You must also plan your snacks for the day. Snacks are a very important part of your dieting program, by refueling your body every few hours you will keep your blood sugar level and boost your metabolism. If you are working away from home it is wise to plan ahead. It is easy to prepare a few things and keep them ready to grab as you head out the door in the morning. If you really want to lose weight and save a little money, avoid the coffee shops and snack machines.

Plan for a small healthy snack at mid-morning and mid-afternoon. Foods such as apples, bananas and oranges, almonds, walnuts, and raisins are easy to carry and cheese sticks, or yogurt cups offer satisfying proteins.

To avoid sugary snacks it is most helpful to eat a complete meal with the proper balance of protein, grains and carbohydrates. Sugary foods may offer a quick fix but soon fades into a desire for more junk food. Snacking on carrot sticks, celery with peanut butter or cheese sticks will satisfy your hunger with much needed proteins and good carbohydrates.

A fully balanced supper should also contain a balance of protein, vegetables, grains and good starches, such as brown rice, quinoa, couscous or baked potatoes. A good balanced meal should keep your hunger at bay for the evening. If you desire an evening snack, a few almonds, apple slices, berries with yogurt or similar light snack would be good choices but must be consumed at least two hours before bedtime.

Keep plenty of fresh fruit on hand ready to eat. Grapes, apples, oranges, kiwi's, bananas and melons are good choices. Choose yogurt cups and low fat puddings or fruit smoothies for cool and refreshing snacks on warm evenings.

When snacking do not eat directly from the package, it's not sanitary anyway. Avoid salty and sugary snacks, keep ice cream for birthday parties and very special occasions. Tuck snacks away on a high shelf in the panty to avoid temptation. "Out of sight out of mind" is my motto!

Source: Personal experience