Nowadays many of us are working from home and you may find yourself eating more snacks. According to a 2007 study, we make daily over 200 decisions about food but aware only a fraction of these. (Environment & Behaviour https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/0013916506295573). Reasons for mindless snacking can be boredom, increased stress levels and feelings of loneliness. Mindless snacking can lead to making poorer food choices, eating too much and weight gain.
Snacking between meals can help to balance your blood sugar, depending on the type of the snacks. Healthier options such as nuts, fruit and vegetables maintain your energy levels and focus. Sugary foods such as cookies and chocolate cause energy dips, fatigue and increase sugary cravings.
5 Top Tips to Healthier Snacking
Before eating a snack, check-in with yourself - are you truly hungry? What are your emotions right now (are you bored, stressed etc).
Drink water. Sometimes we mistake hunger for dehydration. Your body could just be craving for water.
Eat good wholesome main meals – breakfast, lunch & dinner with plenty veggies (half of the plate) + good size of protein.
When you eat a snack, put away your laptop, don't check your phone or put your book down. Eat your snack slowly & enjoy it.
Eat a good & satisfying snack; few nuts with a piece of fruit or chopped cucumber + 2 tablespoons of hummus or few energy balls. Energy ball recipe here: http://sannasumner.com/blog/2015/2/11/chocolaty-energy-balls