First, learn what foods/snacks are your downfall and BAN them entirely from your home! These are the unhealthy choices that you cannot keep from eating tons or all of, if in the house. Don't torture yourself by knowing they are there.
Next, you will find that most of us crave a certain textures and taste. I know my downfall is salty and crunchy snacks, so I created a list of alternative healthy snacks that I keep posted in my cabinet for various temptations I get. Feel free to print it out, add YOUR favorites alternative healthy snacks in the appropriate heading and post it so you can check it out before snacking on the worse choice possible!
Have these food items on hand for when cravings hit! Remember that the less processed (more natural) a food is, the better it is for your health.
Are you in the mood for:
Something Sweet and Soft? Fruit, yogurt, banana, prunes, grapes with a square of DARK CHOCOLATE (only dark) or how about eating a gummy vitamin instead?
Something Sweet and Crunchy? Apple or apple slices with peanut butter or even better, sprinkled cinnamon (which stabilizes blood sugar and may lower cholesterol), cereal with nuts, celery, granola in yogurt, carrots, TUMS (it's a calcium supplement!) or another type of chewable vitamin! I never seem to remember to EAT my vitamins and this is a great way to start!
Something Salty? Nuts, pretzels, lite popcorn, veggies with hummus, a slice or two of fake bacon (soy)
Something Warm?
Baked (I microwave it) apple sprinkled with cinnamon, chai tea, cocoa, slightly melted string cheese on cuke or tomato slice, granola or favorite cereal with WARM milk
Something Cold? Watermelon, FROZEN grapes (try them, surprisingly good-yum!) breakfast drink with COLD milk, sorbet, Italian ice, ice water with a slice of lemon or cucumber in it. I personally love ice cold milk and freeze some milk ice cubes to add to a glass occasionally.
Reward yourself with NON FOOD related items to encourage your health; nice sneakers, fancy jogging clothes. Buy locally for the health of your community too. Co-ops are great! And finally, make KALE a part of your diet!
I hope one of these hints are new to you and that it helps you all stay vital and healthy!
Add your voice! Click below to comment. ThriftyFun is powered by your wisdom!
A lot of those sound great.
One thing about the Tums - it's an antacid. We NEED stomach acid to properly digest our food and taking antacid when you don't need it can lead to digestive problems and general health problems.
Multivitamins contain fat soluble vitamins that shouldn't be taken in excess, they aren't a random snack and should be taken as directed only.
Tums is an antacid because it contains calcium. The Original Tums contains about 2/3 as much calcium as an 8-oz glass of milk, or as much as an ounce of cheddar cheese. If you're not getting enough calcium in your diet, Tums is an appropriate way to make up the difference, and if you don't overdo it, there's no problem.
Absolutely true! I am NOT advocating taking numerous vitamins nor Tums. I just have trouble even taking the daily suggested vitamin or calcium tablet but have learned that when I want to eat a 'bad for me' snack that if I take something I should be taking (vitamin, calcium tablet, etc) I get a healthy dose that satisfies my snack craving.
Excellent recommendations, Donna, and thanks for posting!
Along with other commenters, may I recommend nutritional density instead of considering supplements as snack options? That is it say, if we consider everything we eat in terms of nutrients, we'll need fewer supplements (check good [emphasis on "good"] online resources). Raw fruits and vegetables are excellent sources of nutrients, as are legumes, nuts, seeds and cooked (not over-cooked) leafy greens.
Lastly (but as part of not ingesting anything without nutritional value), avoid oils and butter. For help with that, check oil-free recipes and keep an eye on www.facebook.com/
Add your voice! Click below to comment. ThriftyFun is powered by your wisdom!
