Snacking is bad or at least it is when you eat without disregard for your calorie intake. Whether you’re a man or a woman, you don’t get many daily kcals to play with, so it’s essential to cut back where possible if you’re looking to be healthier and lose weight.

Of course, it’s easier to say than to do since we all lose our inhibitions when we’re hungry! It’s almost as if your stomach commands you to eat sugary treats!

The good news is that you can transform a bad snacking habit into a good one. Just follow these tips and you should be able to enjoy the best of both worlds!

Snack Strategically

Eating right before a meal isn’t going to do your body any good. If anything, it’s indulgent as reports show that you’re more likely to increase your calories intake by as much as one-hundred kcals. However, research where the snacks were consumed in-between meals and were high in fibre and protein resulted in the participants reducing their intake by more than four-hundred calories. You can even eat before bed since you’ll feel the effects in the morning due to a smaller breakfast. But, be careful of your insulin levels if you do as they tend to increase if you snack late at night.

Calculate The Content

Throwing anything that’s nearby down your throat isn’t going to result in you hitting your goals. Instead, the trick is to stick to guidelines and analyse the content of the snacks before you commit. For instance, the average person benefits from snacks that are no more than two-hundred calories and contain around ten grams of protein. Yes, that means unsheathing the scales and weighing your portions, as well as reading the packaging for the nutritional values.

Fool Your Brain

Part of the excitement of snacking is that you get the chance to eat junk food. After all, it’s only a small amount of food, so a couple of pieces of chocolate won’t hurt. The same goes for sweets, or so the logic dictates. Unfortunately, this isn’t the case as sweet foods are usually packed with sugars that lead to weight gain. Thankfully, dieting doesn’t require you to forego these snacks completely. Instead, you can trick your mind by swapping gummy bear for CBD gummies or milk and white chocolate for 70%+ cocoa. These healthier alternatives contain extra healthy ingredients without feeling boring.

Pack Snacks

Last but not least, don’t forget to plan your snacks in advance. The reason for this is simple – you can’t stick to a diet if you let temptation get the better of your brain. It’s easy to do if you’re out and about and don’t have a pre-planned treat in your bag. When you’re hungry, the idea of a Krispy Kreme doughnut is too hard to resist, whereas if you packed a healthier snack, you’d be less likely to crack. You still require willpower, but it’s about putting yourself in a position to be successful.

Can you turn your snacking habit into a positive trait?

DISCLAIMER: This is a collaborative post