Some believe that it’s healthy, while others think that it causes weight gain or even can harm you.
In this article you will find a detailed look at snacking and the way it affects your health.
What is snacking and why do people snack?Snacking means to consume food or beverages between your regular main meals.
The term “snacks” is usually used for processed, high-calorie foods like chips and cookies.
However, snacking simply means to eat or drink something between meals, no matter if the food is healthy or not.
Hunger is the main motivation behind snacking, but factors like location, social environment, time of day, and food availability play a big part too. Furthermore, people often snack when appetizing food is around even when they’re not hungry.
One study asked people with obesity or excess weight why they chose unhealthy snacks, the foremost common response was temptation, followed by hunger and low energy levels.
However, the desire to snack and snacking’s effects on health appear to be highly individualized on each of us. Factors that mostly influence snacking include age and beliefs about whether this practice is healthy or not.
Snacking overview
Snacking is increasingly popular, but is it really good and healthy for you? Find out how snacking affects weight loss and whether it is a part of a healthy diet.
Intermittent fasting, intense workout regimens, and busy schedules of everyday life have made eating 3 times a day a thing of the past. Now, snacking is more popular than ever, with an estimated 94 percent of USA citizens reaching for a minimum of one snack per day. This can be not necessarily a bad thing but snacking can cause weight gain if it’s not done smartly. Health Benefits of Snacking
Some people believe that frequently eating small meals can boost your metabolism. However, there's not enough concrete evidence to prove that spreading out your calories will actually help with weight loss. In fact, studies suggest that you simply burn an equivalent amount of calories no matter how you distribute them. Here’s what we all know is true: choosing the proper snacks and practicing portion control can have their fair share of advantages. One study from the National Cancer Institute showed that people who prioritized fruits and vegetables at snack time not only increased their fiber intake but also lost more weight than people who didn’t choose a fresh snack. Participants also benefited more from snacking in the afternoon instead of mid-morning. Prioritizing fresh produce when snacking can't only boost your daily fruit and vegetable intake, but it can even result in a bit of weight loss along the way. Snacking also can help prevent binge eating, as long days inside the office or an early morning workout can leave you ravenous between meals. Choosing healthy snacks with fiber and protein will give you the power you need at the moment and will keep you from overeating later. Is Snacking Bad for Weight Loss? The short answer is yes—snacking can cause a higher daily caloric intake if you’re not careful enough. A study, published in Cambridge University’s British Journal of Nutrition, was shown that men who ate a 200-calorie mid-morning snack only consumed 100 fewer calories at lunch. Another showed that while snacks can bring feelings of fullness and satiety, they're often fleeting, and just cause a better overall calorie consumption. The researchers said this was very true when the snack was low in protein. Looking for some snack inspiration? We are listing here some healthy snacks that you will love:
1. BANANA BROWNIES
2. SMOOTHIE BOWL BARS
3. BANANA NUGGETS
4. SQUARE BANANAS 2GO
5. SPECIAL ITEMS FROM IPANEMA VALLEY
Choosing the wrong sorts of snacks—full of refined sugars, grains, and unhealthy fats—have also shown to spike blood glucose and so cause tiredness a couple of hours later. Even some seemingly healthy snacks are often filled with unhealthy ingredients, and nutritionists advise thoroughly checking nutrition labels when choosing a packaged snack to make sure it's a healthful option.
Is Snacking Before Bed Healthy?
Some researches show that a healthy bedtime snack can have a good impact on your overall health. Several studies have shownthat eating a high-protein nighttime snack, specifically 30 grams a half-hour before bed, can help build lean muscle and boost overall health. Getting to bed starving can even make it harder to go to sleep, and insufficient sleep has also been linked to weight gain. Who Can benefit from Snacking? Those who unintentionally go over four or five hours between meals may benefit from a healthy snack between meals. An extended day at the office can cause a hunger-fueled dash to the closest fast food drive-thru, and regularly choosing processed, fried foods can have long-term health consequences. Athletes or those that exercise vigorously at least a couple of times every week may benefit from snacking. Snacking on healthful carb sources before a workout can help performance and endurance, while a mixture of protein and carbs will help repair muscles and keep your energy up. However, staying hydrated and restoring water lost in your workout is a crucial component, because it can prevent false hunger pangs. Those who are watching their weight can truly enjoy snacking to stop binges and to remain energized for physical activity. Emphasizing healthy proteins, whole grains, and fresh fruits and veggies will keep you full and provides you with the well-rounded nutrition your body needs. Just ensure you’re conscious of how many calories you consume while snacking and be realistic with the number of calories you burn while exercising.
Healthy Snacking Tips
A snack may be a vague definition for eating between meals, so it’s essential to line some parameters. Counting on your caloric needs, a snack should vary between 100-250 calories to be sure you’re not going overboard, but also aren’t eating so little you’ll snack again in an hour.
Opting for a snack with 10-30 grams of protein and a minimum of a few grams of fiber will make sure you will actually stay full for the following few hours.
Finding a healthy snack while travelling may be tough. Packing your own homemade snacks or researching the healthiest shop snacks beforehand will save time and calories.Conclusion
To sum up, snacking can be a healthy habit if you do it right. Smart snacking may help you manage your weight and balance your diet.