snacks-Jenny Craig article

Contrary to what you may have heard, "snack" is not a dirty word. Snacking fuels the body and helps maintain your energy, blood sugar and appetite levels if you snack smart. Sure, that candy bar looks good from where you stand in line at the grocer's, the potato chips you're eyeing are labeled "low-fat", and packaged and fast foods are quick and easy. But don't forget that sugary snacks spike blood sugar and you're hungry again in no time while high calorie snacks leave you lethargic rather than energized.We all fall prey to the snack attack in the gotta-eat-something-now danger zones. But, good news, there are plenty of healthy snacks to choose from! And there are many ways to prepare yourself so you don't snack poorly. Pre-workout - Eating before exercise has been shown to improve performance and boost stamina and endurance. Snacks low in fat and high in complex carbohydrates will keep you going longer. Drink a cup of pomegranate juice, eat a small banana or munch down a non-sugary trail mix granola bar. On the road - The best travel snacks are non-perishable foods in transportable containers. Single-serving cereal boxes or fruit cups, trail mix or granola, peanut butter and cracker packages, fresh fruit and canned tuna lunch packs are convenient choices. If you pack along meal replacement bars, be sure to watch sugar levels and when you eat one, have half and put the other half away for later. Before the party - Never go to a party hungry. Enjoy a pre-party snack that contains protein and carbohydrates and it will be easier to resist a second trip to the buffet table. Good options are a 100-calorie snack bag of nuts or crackers, an 8-ounce serving of tomato juice with string cheese or cottage cheese and fruit. Mid-morning pick-me-up - Get your brain going and avoid overeating at lunch by eating a snack low in fat with a balance of carbs and protein. Some delicious solutions are a packet of low-sugar oatmeal topped with a hand full of berries, a low-fat sugar-free latte or apple slices with a tablespoon of peanut butter.