Believe it or not, snacking can actually be good for you.

Snack Attack!!! (And Why That Shouldn’t Make You Feel Guilty)

September 22nd, 2011 by CrispRoot

OK, raise your hand if you ever heard your mother say, “no, you can’t have a snack, you’ll ruin your dinner!”

Well, guess what? There’s now a school of thought that says eating a little bit several times a day may actually be better for you than doing the traditional three full meals thing. So, now you can call your mom and say you were right after all! (if she mentions that’s not why you wanted a snack, you can always change the subject…)

So, how could this be? Well, eating a little at a time kicks your metabolism into gear – and when it finishes devouring the energy gained from your small snack, it goes to work on your stored energy source… otherwise known as fat. Please note, though, that if you’re thinking this technique will replace a good exercise program when it comes to losing weight, you’d be way off base. Exercise not only leads to better overall health, but to burn serious calories, so it’s pretty much required.

All right, how about carbs… carbs are usually omnipresent in snack foods, but are they good or bad? Good question! The answer is, Yes!!

Huh?

Well, carbs are a great source of energy, which is why many athletes “carbo load” the day before a big game. OK, that’ll work - but, be warned! Carbs not burned off in exercise have a propensity to turn into fat, which is probably not the outcome you were looking for.

Speaking of fat, a lot of what you eat, snacks or otherwise, are loaded with or cooked in some type of fat. You want to be careful here, because just like the drain to your kitchen sink, pour enough fat into your system and things will tend to clog up… and roto-rootering your arteries is not a great option! The thing to do here is avoid what are called trans-fats – they’re loaded with cholesterol, and not the good kind.

Also, in considering healthy snacking, remember this: “Low fat” products still have fat. Diet soda still has calories. Energy bars can be loaded with sugar in quantities you normally wouldn’t think of eating. That’s not saying these things are all bad; they’re not. Just read the label first, and be aware of what you’re eating… and keep track of things like carbs, fats, cholesterol, etc. etc. etc. All things in moderation, my friends!

Speaking of checking the labels, we thought we’d throw in a guilt-free plug: our CrispRoot Cassava Chips are a great snack choice for those seeking healthier alternatives, as evidenced by the nutritional labeling from Sea Salt, one of our four great flavors (the other flavors being Original Flavor, BBQ Bliss, and Thai Ginger!)…

For more options, there’s always the natural route… you know, grapes, apples and the like. Baked snacks are another source to give you variety. Also, mix it up as you go… have an apple at 9:00, then maybe string cheese at 11:00. Some protein, like beef jerky, might fit the bill at 1:00, and then allow yourself some chips at 3:00. See, that was easy - and in no way boring.

One housekeeping note: if you’re under medical care, make sure to follow any and all dietary instructions. Finally, remember: eating healthy is not meant to replace exercise, and btw… exercising is a great way to “earn” yourself a snack!

Now it’s your turn – if you have a great suggestion for a healthy snack, post it on our Facebook page and share it with your fellow the CrispRooters – I’m sure they’ll appreciate it!

If you’d like to read more on healthy snacking, check out these articles online:

http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=60805

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/childrens-health/HQ00419

http://dedham.patch.com/articles/whole-foods-pitches-parents-on-healthy-snacking-to-curb-obesity