Don’t let snacking ruin your diet

Jun 2, 2009 17:31 GMT  ·  By
What we snack while on the road doesn’t necessarily have to interfere with our diet, experts say
   What we snack while on the road doesn’t necessarily have to interfere with our diet, experts say

Being able to stick to a diet, especially if it’s the more restrictive type, is often a case of getting used to a routine, experts believe. Once we eliminate all derailers by setting up the routine, we are theoretically able to go on with the diet for as long as we might want – which is precisely why a trip can act as a very strong such derailer. Shape magazine has come up with possible snack suggestions while on the road, which are meant to guarantee we don’t mess with our diet.

The idea with snacking is to have something at hand that helps us no longer feel hungry. Snacks are usually highly recommended by most nutritionists on account of the fact that they successfully prevent overeating – if they’re also healthy and mindful of our weight, then there’s really no reason why we shouldn’t embrace them, especially if we’re on the road, traveling, or away from home for longer periods of time.

We should start our snack “list” with fruits and vegetables, experts say for Shape, especially if we spend most of our day at the office. Having always one such snack nearby will help us avoid the pastry basket in the morning, the vending machine in the afternoon and all other temptations that seem to come our way throughout the day. “Fruits and veggies make for healthy, low-calorie snacks that are perfect between meals. If you’re craving crunch, reach for carrot sticks or sliced cucumber. Satisfy a sweet tooth with your favorite in-season fruit. If you need an extra afternoon pick-me-up, dip your veggies in hummus or spread peanut butter on an apple or banana.” the mag recommends.

Nuts are ideal if we’re about to travel by plane, Shape also underlines, especially if we’re talking longer hours, and perhaps a stop over as well. Since we can’t never know when our next meal will be in these conditions, nuts make for an excellent snack because they’re high in protein and fats, which means they can keep us satisfied for longer. They are also a much better variant than smelly snacks or those that might require refrigeration, a thing our traveling mates will certainly appreciate accordingly, the same publication points out.

Last but not least, if we happen to be traveling by car, even for shorter distances, granola bars are the way to go for a healthy snack. “Healthy dining options can be limited when you’re on the road. To avoid pulling over at a fast-food restaurant, pack granola bars. This fiber-rich treat will keep you satisfied for the long haul. Even if you’re not going on a road trip, keep a supply in your glove box in case you get stuck in traffic and need a pick-me-up.” Shape magazine concludes by saying.