Snack Attack

How to control your uncontrollable cravings for snacks.

Fact: When people are stressed they tend to crave carbs. That means more snacking during stressful times. Think about tax season, rough weeks at work, preholiday shopping; it’s amazing we aren’t always chomping on some carbs.  The truth is the crunch of snacks helps relieve some of that stress, so why not use that knowledge to your advantage? During those high stress periods it is wise to anticipate that craving and stock your pantry with a lot of healthy, crispy snacks full of delicious carbohydrates!

Myths: Many people think that if they are trying to lose weight that snacks are the first thing they have to eliminate, especially snacks loaded with carbs. Like everything else we have spoken about thus far, we just need to be making smarter choices. For example, there is no reason to eat an entire bag of potato chips. However, you do not need to completely remove potato chips from your snack options. It’s all about moderation. I’ve found that when you put restrictions on your diet, it makes you want the “bad” food even more. If nothing is off limits, you won’t have that feeling. It’s also important to remember that carbs give you energy, so don’t be afraid to eat a handful of pretzels before your spin class or run on the treadmill. Snacks curb hunger throughout the day, making sure you don’t overeat during your meals. Clearly snacking has many benefits.

Healthy Snack Options: There are many alternatives for people to consider when snacking. Instead of eating chips and dip, consider multigrain pita chips and hummus. You will still be satisfying that craving for crunch, but doing it in a way that makes you and your body feel better.  Not to mention that you’ll be fitting into those skinny jeans in no time. So, next time you start to reach a greasy doughnut to snack on, stop and consider a healthy alternative like Whole Grain Pita Chips with Avocado Goat Cheese Dip courtesy of the Food Network.

Happy snacking!

Do carbohydrates deserve the bad reputation?

Looking into the myth that carbs are the enemy.

Fact: The body receives 4 calories per 1 gram of carbohydrates consumed.

Does that mean eating an entire bag of potato chips is bad? Yes. Should people eliminate carbs from their diet? Absolutely not. Carbs should make up about half of the calories in your diet. You crave them because they are delicious, but your body wants them because they are useful for your health. They provide energy for consumers. According to the United States department of Agriculture, eating grains reduces the risk of coronary heart disease and helps with weight management.

Elimination is not the answer. With all of these benefits it’s amazing that anyone would suggest total elimination of carbohydrates. Instead, diets should focus on finding what balance works best for your body. The goal of this blog is to help my reader understand that diets don’t have to be hard and stressful. Diets should be harmonious and make you feel like you are improving yourself from the inside out.  With that said, we are not eliminating carbs.

What can you do? It all comes down to making healthy choices when picking your carbs. Instead of a doughy loaf of white bread, get something more crusty and full of whole grains. Personally, I think the flavor is better anyway so you won’t be missing out on much. Whole grain breads and snacks will make what you are eating healthier without having to limit your consumption. Consider starting your day with whole grains, because how many times have you heard that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. There are tons of alternatives to a greasy bacon, egg and cheese on a bagel. Instead of stuffing yourself with that, try multigrain cereal or old-fashioned oatmeal. 

For a fast and delicious breakfast recipe try Apple Harvest Oatmeal courtesy of the Food Network. So next time you feel famished by 11:30 a.m. because your breakfast isn’t cutting it, consider the fact that you could have had a delicious, healthy and satisfying breakfast full of whole grain goodness.