Snacking can provide energy between meals, but it’s essential to choose nutritiously-dense snacks. Avoid choosing snacks high in sugar, salt or saturated fat; opt for healthier whole food snacks like chia pudding or baked apples instead.
Nuts make an excellent snack option with only 14 almonds being under 100-caloric and providing protein and fiber benefits.
Stable blood sugar levels
Healthy snacking can help to regulate blood sugar levels and can be an integral part of a diabetic diet. When selecting nutritious snacks for diabetics, be mindful to select those without too much saturated fat, added sugar or sodium content; choose snack options that also provide energy and nutrients, plus are easy to consume.
High blood sugar levels can damage blood vessels, increasing your risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke. They may also result in peripheral neuropathy – loss of sensation in feet and hands due to nerve damage – as well as loss of feeling in these regions.
To keep your blood sugar stable, select nutritious snacks that are low in carbs and include protein. Examples include small containers of berries with nuts or yogurt, hummus made with chickpeas or tomatoes with mozzarella cheese and balsamic vinegar – these foods provide fibre and protein, counting as one portion of fruit or vegetables toward your five-a-day commitment. When selecting carbohydrates-rich snacks make sure that insulin can cover them.
Stimulates the metabolism
Snacks can help keep you energized throughout the day, especially when concentration is required. Snacking can also boost metabolism – essential to weight loss and maintaining good health – but selecting processed, high-sugar foods may only give a quick burst of energy before leaving you hungry again later on.
Choose high-fiber, low-sugar snacks such as fruit or granola bars to satisfy hunger with no excess fat and sugar intake, like cottage cheese or hard-boiled eggs as additional sources of spreadable protein. Snacks should contain no more than 400 calories and should consist of whole foods like fruits, vegetables, low-fat dairy and whole grain snacks rather than processed snacks such as chips, cookies and ice cream that contain an excessive amount of fat and sugar. Eating your snacks at regular times throughout the day will keep your blood sugar stable while controlling hunger – helping prevent overeating during meal time as well as weight gain.
Maintains a healthy weight
Healthy snacks can play a pivotal role in managing weight and lowering the risk of chronic diseases. Aim to consume snacks rich in nutrients such as carbohydrates, proteins and fats along with fiber and water that is low in calories, sodium and added sugars – opt for whole foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains and low-fat dairy products as opposed to packaged products with large amounts of added sugars and salt.
Snacking may increase energy intake and lead to weight gain if done frequently and excessively, according to studies. One such study linked larger snack food items with a greater annual increase in weight than their smaller counterparts; other research indicates that snacking may actually be harmless provided the appropriate type of snacks are chosen carefully.
Snacking on nutritious food such as nuts and fresh fruit can provide energy between meals. When selecting snacks, read the Nutrition Facts label to identify how many calories each serving contains; be sure to serve a portion from its packaging rather than eating directly out of it!
Supports the immune system
Our immune systems provide our bodies with protection from diseases and infections, such as flu, colds and cancer. To keep it strong and boost the effectiveness of its defense mechanisms, it’s important to get enough sleep, exercise regularly, manage stress and consume nutritional foods (including snack bars) containing essential vitamins that may support our immunity system. Nutritional snacks are another great way to bolster it!
Food, nutrition and immunity are highly interlinked processes; particular nutrients have a profound influence on optimal immunological response. An inadequate nutrient intake may significantly increase your risk for major human diseases caused by immune dysfunction.
“An apple a day keeps the doctor away” may hold some truth to it after all. Consuming diets rich in nutrient-rich foods such as citrus fruits, berries, whole grains vegetables and herbs can support immune health by keeping our immune systems strong – helping us avoid illness while keeping energy levels up and sustaining strong energy levels. Mushrooms provide additional immune-enhancing vitamins such as selenium and B6.
