Healthy Snacking

A Better Understanding

If you think the act of snacking between meals is taboo, think again.  It's not the act of snacking that should guilt-trip you, but rather your choice of greasy potato chips from the office vending machine before lunch.  Next time, try to choose a snack full of nutritional value such as fruits or nuts to hold you over, rather than that sugar-soaked candy bar from the vending machine at the office.

Growing up, we were all taught the importance of three square meals a day, and that anything more or less was simply unacceptable.  Well, just as our understanding of the internet has moved forward with leaps and bounds, we now have a better grasp on healthy eating habits.  More and more studies have shown the health benefits to eating five or six smaller meals a day.  According to the American Chronicle, "eating six meals a day will boost your metabolism, helping you to burn more calories all day long."[1]  By keeping your body busy burning calories throughout the day, you can actually train your metabolism to maintain a higher overall rate.  This dietary understanding can benefit everyone from toddlers (through thoughtful parenting) to elderly adults who want to lead an active and healthy lifestyle. 

Many of us simply do not have the time to sit down for six meals every day, not to mention prepare each one.  This is where Healthy Snacking habits come into play.  Finding healthy snacks can be a difficult task, made even more difficult when surrounded by the tempting convenience of vending-machine junk food.  We want to make it as easy as possible for you to find KIND bars at a store near you, or to shop at our convenient on-line store.

What Is Healthy Snacking?

As recently stated by the Mayo Clinic, "a wide variety of snacks can fit into a healthy diet, so you don't need to avoid snacks.  Rather, plan for them with variety, moderation and balance in mind."[2]  Healthy Snacking can provide the extra boost of mental and physical energy you need in your hectic schedule.  By having a few small healthy snacks in between meals, you may not feel so inclinded to stuff yourself at the dinner table in the evening, which can lead to lower overall consumption for the day.  According to the University of Michigan Health System, "there are times when snacking is important and good for your body."[3]  Healthy Snacking entails choosing foods that can be KIND to your body, your taste buds, and the world.

Remember only to snack when you are hungry, and not to eat too fast.  If you slow down and enjoy what you are eating, you run less of a risk of eating more calories than you need in one sitting.  Healthy snacking relies on consuming not only healthy snacks, but controlled portions of healthy snacks.  If you don't keep track of your healthy snacking, you run the risk of adding more calories than you need to your daily intake. Next time your body is screaming with hunger don't put up a fight, be KIND to your body with a healthy snack waiting near by.

The best snack foods are the ones that provide your body with energy and nutrition, and satisfy your cravings at the same time.  Such snacks include foods high in whole grain, fruits and vegetables, along with many nuts and seeds.  WebMD states "rather than offer just one food item as a snack, the goal in healthy snacking should be to combine at least two food groups."[4]  It is important to not snack on one item too much, so snacks composed of ingredients from multiple food groups are the healthiest snacks.  Our bodies require nutrients from every food group, including grains, fruits and vegetables, dairy, and meats.  Every KIND bar offers the nutritional benefits of both fruit and nut, working together as a delicious duo to offer you a convenient snack whenever hunger strikes.  

Who Benefits From Healthy Snacking?

Everyone.  People of all ages and lifestyles can benefit from healthy snacking.  From Toddlers and their quickly growing bodies to professionals in the work place, people have very high energy demands that may not be completely satisfied by three meals a day.

Where Is Healthy Snacking Important?

Snacking at home is one thing, but healthy snacking in the work place is quite a different story.  Finding nutritious foods in the office can be quite a challenge, made even more difficult by busy schedules and meetings. That's why we developed a Corporate Loyalty Program, so that you can get KIND healthy snack bars in your work place and with a volume discount deal!

Snacking at school is a part of every child's lunch hour, and a very important time to pass on healthy eating habits to our youth.  Showing a child the road to a healthy life is no less important than showing them how to read and write.

 

 

Sources

1. Roach, Kim.  Eat Six Meals a Day for Maximum Weight Loss. January, 2007. American Chronicle.

2. Mayo Clinic Staff. Snacks: How They Fit Into a Healthy Diet. June 2, 2006.  Mayo Clinic.

3. Berning, Jackie, Ph.D., R.D. Eating Healthy Snacks.   McKesson Provider Technologies.   Approved by University of Michigan Health System.

4. WebMD. Secrets of Healthy Snacks for Kids. 2003. 

Healthy Snacking is made easier with KIND Fruit and Nut bars, since you won't ever need to sacrifice the taste for healthy eating again.