Howdy y’all,
Friday is finally here, and it is time for Fitness Friday. Today I want to share with you what I learned about the importance of eating a snack between your meals. Eating a snack between your meals does not only stop you from overeating, it also helps your body get most of the nutrients that it needs to function properly. I try to eat at least three snacks a day (between breakfast, lunch, and dinner). Snacking replaces my dinner most of the time, because I become so not interested in big meals after 3 P.M. That’s why I try to eat lunch before I pick up the kids from school. If I don’t do it before that, by the time I am done helping with homework, cooking dinner, and giving them a shower, I am not interested in the food anymore. And after they go to bed at 7:30 P.M, that’s when you will find me with either two Halo oranges or one apple in my hand.
Before I started to get serious about my weight, my idea of snacking was eating a big bag of popcorn while watching TV. And you guys know how unhealthy unconscious eating can be. Another problem is the serving size. There is nothing healthy about eating a whole bag of theater popcorn. The same goes for other snacks, too. The recommended serving size for my Santa Fe Trail Mix is only 1/3 cup, about 30 grams. I get 9 grams of fat, 4 grams of carbohydrates, 4 grams of protein, plus fiber and other nutrients. Anything above the recommended serving size is and excess. An excess that you will have to burn later if you are serious about losing weight. Sometimes I switch between Santa Fe and Planters Trail Mix. If you get two servings of fruits from snacking everyday, you are already a winner because the food pyramid recommends 2-4. Eating a snack two to three hours before eating lunch or dinner speeds up your metabolism, allowing you to burn more fat during the day.
My snacking strategy
Eating three heavy meals a day may work for somebody who genetically has a fast metabolism, but snacking three times a day works best for those of use who were not blessed with those genes. My father-in-law eats two big meals a day plus supper, and I have never seen him gain one pound. But the same is not true for me. I always end up working out harder when I try it. Eating healthy snacks is one of the best ways to lose weight if you have time to eat small portions of food throughout the day.
Which one works best for you, snacking during the day, or eating three big meals?
Snacking during the day works best for me since I miss meals sometimes (bad habit to develop btw) My biggest issue when trying healthy snacks is finding snacks I love. I eat a lot of fruits but I've never found anything I love outside of that.
I agree with everything you said in this post! If only I could remember to eat my snacks, healthy snacks, throughout the day.
I prefer snacking throughout the day, I find it easier with my little ones. My all time favorite snack would have to be trail mix, it gives me energy which is what I usually need lol. Great post. Thanks for sharing=)
healthyhairbyspecialk.com
This is great doll, I love snacks!! But, it is important to make sure they are healthy too!! I should make a schedule like this really as I sometimes tend to snack too much, haha 😉 I hope you have a great weekend xx
Not a bad way to stay fit and healthy benefits weight and beauty great post. Have an awesome weekend.
http://tifi11.blogspot.com
I am with you on the 3 snacks + 3 meals because my metabolism is dead and I an trying to raise it. But it's hard to do some days when I am home all day because I miss a meal here and there. . .too much time on my computer! Keep it up Girl. . . .
I concur with all you said and I snack a lot too all throughout the day sometimes I think I oversnack lol
Great Article as usual! I love nature valley honey and oats! Setting a snack schedule is good, I don't have one, but I eat way more fruits than I should in a day, sometimes I don't even eat actual food, which I need to work on. Thanks for sharing 🙂
Lol!
Neti, you are too funny! "You are trying to raise it from the dead"?
Happy weekend, doll!
A lot of oversnackers here:-)
Thanks for stopping by and the follow!
I usually have a snack between lunch and dinner especially if I know that I'm going to the gym later that afternoon. The last thing that I want is to be starving and then carve for whatever terribly unhealthy thing I see first…like these chips looking at me! Ha-ha!
Thanks for being apart of the #fitnessfriday movement chica!
http://www.savingourstrands.com
I support what you said. I'm really not the snack person, but have started lately because it curbs my hunger. Great post sis!! Have a good weekend. 🙂
missymayification.blogspot.co.uk
Great post hun. I am all for fruit and veggies as in sweet pepper cucumber… see they don't need cooking 😉 Thx for the suggestion. I never thought about wearing it at the beach, great idea.
Happy Friday sweetie
kisses
Lenya
FashionDreams&Lifestyle
So funny, Lenya!
Love your blog so much! do you wanna follow each other? follow me and I will follow you right back!
Have a lovely day!
Bryony xxx
http://glitteryberry.blogspot.com/
Sure thing!
My pleasure!
Work it gurl! I'm also trying to get an healthier body.
No more sweets or candys or at least tryin to reduce eatin those haha.
xx Lori
http://fabeau-trends.blogspot.de
My husband eats a lot of calorific foods that if I did same I would be massive! I think his metabolism is on point. I find myself envying him because I have to work hard to burn off extra calories whenever I fall off the wagon. I try my best to snack on fruits and eat smaller portions of meals. It works most days 😉
Haha! I works only most days?
Girl, I never miss breakfast either!
Way to go, hope will reach your goal weight soon. Even I am working towards mine.
I also find that eating a lighter dinner is best for me! I tend to do two meals and several snacks throughout the day.
Your post reminds me to eat more fruits throughout the day. Time to hit up the market lol.
http://www.thestyleboro.com
I eat three meals a day and sometimes take snacks between meals too. One thing I never do is miss Breakfast.
Nice and unformative Post.