Happy Tuesday Newsday!
Today’s tidbit of news comes as no surprise to me, a self-proclaimed snackaholic whose weaknesses include carrots with hummus and anything smothered in peanut butter. But new research from The NPD Group shows that snacking actually accounts for a whopping 20 percent of all “eating occasions” for American adults.
If you’re wondering what happened to breakfast, lunch and dinner, they haven’t disappeared – they’re just shrinking. Results of the research indicate that although fewer people are skipping meals altogether, more are eating “mini meals,” with less food.
More than 50 percent of those surveyed admitted to snacking two to three times per day – and surprisingly, those with the healthiest diets were likely to snack frequently.
Is all this talk about snacking making you hungry?
Before you reach for your favorite snack food, read our top 3 snacking tips to help you keep it healthy:
1. Drink water. We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again – if you’re feeling a twinge of hunger, you may actually be dehydrated. Drink a glass of water to see if it satisfies your needs. If you’re still hungry, go ahead and grab a (healthy) snack!
2. B.Y.O.S. When mid-afternoon hunger strikes, don’t rely on the unhealthy options in the vending machine. Pack your own snack to ensure you’ll be munching on something healthy. Our favorite ideas: 1 medium-sized apple with almond butter, baby carrots with hummus, a snack bar or a handful of pistachios.
3. Measure it. Unlimited portions can lead to mindless snacking – instead of grabbing an entire bag of pretzels, avoid the temptation to overeat by measuring out a snack-size portion ahead of time.
Be prepared for your next snack attack by stocking up on healthy foods at Vitacost.com! (And don’t forget to Set & Save your favorites – because it stinks to run out!)