Smart Snacking

I lead a very active life and I have a constant battle with hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). If I don’t keep healthy snacks tucked in my purse or gym bag, I know that I will start to feel run down, sluggish and shaky. A constant stream of smaller meals and healthy snacks offers a lot of power to help me be my best as a mom and keep up with all the things I have to do each and every day.

Of course, knowing to snack smart is only half the battle. The other half of the battle is creating a plan to incorporate healthy snacks into your life. These four tips on smart snacking strategies are ones that I know that I can easily apply to my life and will aid in making thoughtful snack choices into our diets.

1. Be prepared
   Pack nutritious non-perishable snacks to keep in your car, your bag, or at your desk so you’re less tempted to reach for unhealthy alternatives.
   
2. Keep the good stuff in sight
   Store low-calorie, nutrient-rich fruits and vegetables within reach and high-sugar, high-fat snack foods out of sight—and out of mind.
   
3. Plan your portions
   Repackage and pre-portion foods into smaller containers or buy single-serve snacks to grab on the go.
   
4. Snack sensibly
   Choosing healthy foods and beverages can help you get the nutrients you need. Look for snacks that are good sources of dietary fiber and protein to help keep you satisfied so you don’t overeat between meals.

What's your ideal snack? Crunchy, chewy, creamy, salty, or sweet -- with a little imagination, you can find a nutritious snack to satisfy any craving. We've gathered a few ideas to get you started, but feel free to come up with your own!

• 1 medium piece of fruit and 1 cheese stick
• 1 tbsp. peanut butter and 1⁄2 banana on 2 Keebler Graham Crackers
• 2 slices turkey and 1 oz. low-fat spreadable cheese, rolled together
• 10 All-Bran Crackers (Multigrain) + 1⁄4 cup hummus
• 1⁄4 cup homemade trail mix; whole grain cereal, walnuts, dried cranberries and dark chocolate chips
• 1 cup low-fat yogurt or fat-free pudding with 1⁄2 cup fresh berries
• 2 cups air-popped light popcorn sprinkled with parmesan cheese
• 1 Right Bites cookie pouch with 1⁄2 cup (4 oz.) fat-free milk
• 1 Nutri-Grain Cereal Bar (8 grams whole grains) and 1 cup fat-free milk
• 1 slice whole-grain bread topped with 1 tbsp. peanut butter and sprinkled with cinnamon
• 1 whole-wheat tortilla stuffed with 1⁄4 cup low-fat cheese and 1⁄4 cup canned black beans
• 1⁄4 cup walnuts mixed with raisins
• 2 oz. canned chicken mixed with 1 tbsp. low-fat yogurt and seedless grapes
  (serve with whole-wheat crackers)
• 1 sliced apple spread with 2 tbsp. almond butter
• 1 small baked potato with skin topped with 1 slice diced lean turkey,
  1⁄4 cup shredded low-fat cheese.
• 1 serving of Special K Multi-Grain Crackers
• 1 serving of Special K Cracker Chips
• 1 Special K Cereal Bar
• 1 serving of Cheez-It Crackers with salsa like Wholly Salsa
• 1 serving of Flipsides Crackers served with a guacamole like Wholly Guacamole’s 
      100 Calorie Snack Pack