5 Tips for Healthy Snacking

Diet experts have long supported healthy snacking as a way to lose weight and stay healthy. According to them, it\'s actually healthier to snack lightly throughout the day than eat three big meals. It keeps you alert throughout the day, helps you avoid overeating, and even gives you an energy boost for exercise. But to make it work for you, you have to choose the right snacks. These five tips can help you snack wisely and stay healthy without missing out on the fun.

1. Load up on veggies. Raw vegetables should always be your first choice when you\'re up for a snack. Because they\'re unprocessed, you get their full nutritional value minus the extra calories and preservatives. Baby carrots, celery, bell peppers, and turnips all make satisfying snacks. Dip them in hummus or low-fat yogurt for added flavor.

2. "Indulge" in fruits. Think of fruits as an alternative to sweet treats and desserts. Unlike cakes and pastries, you can have as much fruit as you like and not pile on the pounds. Concentrate on fiber-filled fruits like apples and bananas-they fill you up faster and help you last longer before your next snack.

3. Keep an energy bar handy. You don\'t have to make a habit of it, but it helps to have an energy bar at hand for when you need an energy boost. Healthy as they are, vegetables often lack the carbohydrates needed for moderate physical activity. A low-fat granola bar will help you stay active better than most sugar-loaded energy drinks.

4. Slow-cook your foods. Crock pots are a great way to make low-fat snacks that pack in lots of flavor. With slow cooking, you can cut down most of the fat and use about half as much flavoring as traditional stovetop recipes. Use your crock pot to cook vegetables, cold cuts, and other snack foods you want to stock for the week.

5. Spread out your meals. For healthy snacking to work, it has to be spread out evenly throughout the day. Don\'t snack every hour in the morning and just eat a few carrots at night, or vice versa. Pace yourself so that you get five to six small snacks a day, spaced two to three hours apart.

Smart snacking can help you keep a balanced diet and maintain a healthy weight. Here are five tips to help you choose healthier snacks without missing out on your favorite foods. Find more information about crock pot snacks.