Snack Hacks: 3 Tips for Smart Snacking

There’s a fine line between waiting too long between meals and snacking all day to curb your hunger.  Waiting too long can cause you to overeat during your mealtimes because you’re ravenous – and grazing all day can lead to mindless or habitual eating that could cause overeating, especially when you’re still eating full meals at meal times.

The fine line – the sweet spot – is figuring out your unique way of snacking smart and being prepared.

Here are three steps to get you there…

1. Hunger vs. Habit.  Check in with yourself and notice if you are reaching for a snack out of actual hunger or habit.  Do you reach for a snack during that 3 pm slump at the office, purely out of boredom?  If it’s boredom you’re trying to cure rather than hunger – take a 10-minute break to enjoy a short walk around the office to curb your boredom.
2. Fill the gaps with snacks.  Since a large part of the population finds it difficult to fit in all of their fruits and veggies each day, use snack times to fill those gaps.  Snack on fresh fruit, celery/carrots with hummus or nut butter, or some kale chips!  My favorite thing to hold me over is a spoonful of high-quality nut butter or even a spoonful of coconut oil. (And a Firebird Tip here: coconut oil boosts your metabolism and helps you burn stomach fat.)
3.  Once you experiment and find your favorite healthy snacks, keep them within reach.  Have a snack stored in your desk, car, purse, and gym bag so that you are never without a healthy snack when you need it.  If at all possible, making your snacks feel more like a treat may help you enjoy them even more.  Enjoy your snack on a plate or in a bowl to slow down and eat more mindfully.

Snack tip:  Having a tall glass of water when you feel the urge to snack will help keep you hydrated throughout the day.  Dehydration can cause you to crave unhealthy foods and to feel hungry when you’re just thirsty.  So keep your hydration levels up and you’ll be feeling great in no time!