It is a common belief that less food will equal better results in a diet regime. The first thing that the majority of people remove from their diet plan is their snacks. Since people tend to snack on unhealthy foods like chips or candy, this may seem like a sound idea during the planning stages. What removing snacks entirely actually does for most dieters is cause mild starvation while they wait for their next scheduled meal. When they do have their next meal, the dieters are then more likely to engage in binge eating. The feeling of starvation is an inherently unpleasant one, so this sets the stage for a failed diet. To help you to properly incorporate snacks into your diet, we will look at facts about snacking and diet, the dangers snacking can pose, and some ideas for healthy snack options.
The Theory of Snacking
Due to the focus on health and weight in today’s society, many have attempted to answer how many meals and snacks we should eat in a day. Studies have shown that eating a larger number of smaller meals will assist dieters in boosting their metabolism, which will help them burn off more fat during the day. The studies also showed that by denying themselves meals, a dieter will lower their metabolism. In addition to the benefits of a metabolism boost, they can also gain extra energy to get through the day and avoid the feelings of hunger that encourage binging during their regular meals.
Snacking Pitfalls
While it is important to include snacks in your diet, choosing the wrong snacks can hinder your progress more than help it. Studies have shown that adults who consume only one single serving of potato chips a day have increased their weight by 1.7 pounds per year. Dieters should focus on both what they are eating and how much of it they are consuming during their snacking period. It is important that caloric intake for each snack is monitored to avoid an unnecessary increase in calories that can damage even the best diet plan.
Healthy Snack Choices
There are quite a few options when it comes to healthy snacks. The USDA recommends that a person who is on a 2,000 calorie diet should consume approximately 4 ½ cups of fruits and vegetables a day. This amount can be an issue for some people, but with proper snacking you can easily reach it. Snap peas, celery, and carrots are always popular choices for healthy snacking that you can enjoy while on the road. If you are looking for something with a little more flavor, then you can try a cup of grapes, halved, with two tablespoons of peanuts tossed in. This helps you achieve your fruit goal while adding a little protein for extra energy. If you are on a low-carbohydrate diet, then almonds make a great snack food; just make sure they are not over-salted and cooked in oils.
Conclusion
Despite most beginning dieters overlooking snacking in their plans, accounting for and managing your snacking habits can play a large role in creating a successful diet plan. By including healthy snacks throughout the day, you can add extra nutrition to your body, fight off hunger pangs, and help keep you both happy and healthy. As with any advice on medicine and nutrition, consult with a trusted physician to ensure that the plan you follow is the right one for you.
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