What Are Good Snacks?

There are several reasons for snacking. Snacking can be a social event, or help us deal with emotions. If there is a lot of time between meals, snacks help us manage a drop in blood glucose levels. Properly timed, a snack can help curb overeating at the next meal. The right snacks can provide extra nutrients we may need. They can even be part of a weight loss diet.

So what are good snacks? Nutritionists tell us they contain a balance of complex carbohydrates (preferably from whole grains such as oats), healthy fats, and quality protein. Here are the specifics:

• around 150-200 calories total
• about 15 grams of complex carbohydrates
• between 3-5 grams of fiber
• unsaturated fats making up no more than 10-15% of total calories
• 10-15 grams high-quality protein

For more information about snacking:

https://nutritionsource.hsph.harvard.edu/snacking/

https://adc-us.com/blog/the-science-of-snacking-why-we-love-to-snack/


For some suggestions for good snacks:

https://www.eatingwell.com/recipes/17990/mealtimes/snacks/

https://www.foodnetwork.com/healthy/packages/healthy-every-week/healthy-snacks

https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/health/diet-nutrition/g576/healthy-snacks/

https://www.everydayhealth.com/diet-nutrition/snacks-rds-pack-in-their-beach-bags/