Healthy Snacking Basics

I want to help you improve your snacking habits this week!

One of the first things I hear chronic dieters say to me is, "I'm trying to snack less often." I know what they mean, but my first reaction is always to help them re-frame what snacking looks like.

Often when we think of snacking, we associate it with the habit of mindlessly eating processed foods. Choosing foods like potato chips, candy, crackers, cookies, fruit snacks, and more.

The key phrase being the mindlessly eating part! Healthy snacks start with mindfulness. Preparing convenient foods to eat to control our hunger throughout the day until we eat our next meal, is a habit we should all aim to include in a healthy lifestyle.

You don't need to stop snacking to be healthier.
You need to start snacking mindfully.

Snack plates or packing a variety of foods for the day can help meet your nutritional needs and taste preferences at the same time!

The key points I want to make when it comes to healthy snacking habits are:

• Pair protein + fiber rich carbs together

• Eat with awareness of your environment, emotional status, and hunger level

• Choose foods that you enjoy

• Prepare foods in advance to make the "healthy" option, the most convenient option

• Make decisions around snacking that are aligned with your goals

The following are ideas and pictures of snacks I enjoy! Feel free to get creative and make your own combinations with foods you love.

I hope these snacking tips help you let go of Diet Culture's view of snacking and give you the freedom to honor your body's hunger throughout the day. If you want more ideas and recipes, check out my Pinterest board for snacking!

Save $100 on Food This Week

Grocery shopping is evolving with new ways to shop and receive weekly groceries without ever stepping foot in the store. Are these new trends saving you money or costing you even more?

The first thing to do whether you are shopping online or physically going to the store is to plan your meals for the upcoming week. Browse the sales and seasonal produce to help you decide what foods to incorporate. From those meals and recipes you can begin to make a list of the food items you will need. Shopping online for groceries can help you avoid spending time in aisles you did not need to be in and buying items on impulse. However if you fail to plan for either shopping experience you may end up making unnecessary purchases.

Take inventory of what ingredients you already have, so you only get what you need. Mark down ingredients that you are low on in case you find a sale on those items even if you have enough for the meals you are preparing for the week. Organize your list into items you need separated from the items your family may need. This organization with help to avoid those impulse purchases.

Now that you are ready to shop, here are a few tips to keep in mind:

● Limit convenience items when possible

● Shop on a full stomach

● Purchase dry foods or pantry items in larger quantities

These few steps take a little bit of time, but are worth all the money you will save! It is possible to eat healthy even on a budget. Take a look at the table below to see how exactly a family of 4 can save $100 in a week by preparing more meals at home.

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Use these meal ideas to plan your next budget friendly shopping list! Comment on the blog and let me know how this goes.