Adopting a healthier lifestyle doesn’t mean you have to take an all or nothing approach with food, where you only eat foods that are “healthy” and restrict your favourite foods.
Enjoying snacks that include your favourite foods can actually be beneficial to achieving your health goals. Here are some key reasons why.
Help increase fruit and vegetable intake
Fruit and vegetable intake is important to ensure your body is getting enough vitamins and minerals. But sometimes it can be hard to increase your intake – one way is to have them as snacks paired with your favourite foods. This could look like veggie sticks with chips and dip, or fruit with cookies.
Eating vegetables on their own may be more difficult, where as if your snacks are enjoyable, you’re more likely to eat them.
You won’t feel restricted
Ensuring you have freedom to enjoy all foods will make you feel less restricted, which will make your diet more sustainable in the long term.
You’ll also be able to enjoy your favourite foods in moderation if you give yourself permission to eat them at any time, rather than restricting yourself from them which can lead to overeating.
Provide more sustainable energy
It’s great to enjoy your favourite foods, but sometimes having them on their own might not be filling or give you enough energy.
Pairing them with a source of fibre and protein, however, will help you feel fuller for longer and give you sustainable energy.
Snack Ideas –
-
Chips, hummus and veggie sticks
-
Popcorn, nuts and dark chocolate
-
Cookies and yoghurt
-
Barbecue shapes, cheese and veggie sticks
-
Nutella, fruit and yoghurt
-
Biscoff and apple
It’s common to get worried about the “extra” calories when adding to your snacks. However, even if some of these snacks are higher in energy, its important to focus on the nutrition they’re giving you as well as more sustainable energy.
You’re also less likely to overeat and be stuck in a binge restrict cycle this way, as your diet will be more balanced.
If you would like to learn more about building balanced snacks + more snack ideas – the RTH 1-on-1 coaching programs are for you!
