StyleNest have teamed up with nutritionist and food writer, Fiona Hunter to bring you the latest tips on how to stay snack-free this New Year and stick to the healthy foods you vowed to in your resolutions.
Teaming up with the new fat free Greek yoghurt Fruyo, us Brits are more inclined to eat unhealthy food than the rest of our Western European neighbours. We snack on crisps, cookies, cake and chocolate so Fiona Hunter is on hand to help you tackle the temptation of an unhealthy treat.
What’s the difference between snacking and grazing?
Snacking should be seen as a positive addition to your daily diet, yet Fruyo’s research found that too many of us Brits too often resorting to ‘grazing’, filling up on unhealthy products. The research found, however, that the Greeks understand the benefits of healthy snacking – over half use snacking to gain important nutrients, yet only a quarter of Brits could say the same.
If snacking isn’t a bad thing, when should I snack?
When Brits were asked why they ate between meals, boredom was named as the top reason, followed by the urge for an unhealthy and indulgent treat and a lack of energy. It also found that the most popular time we snack is 3.04pm, indicating a ‘mid afternoon slump’. To avoid this, plan a range of nutritious, healthy snacks to have to hand during this time. If you’ll be at your desk, consider bringing in something healthy from home to stop you from grabbing the cookies – a couple of oat cakes with a tablespoon of peanut butter is a good choice.
What is the perfect snack?
The perfect snack should be reasonably light and nutrient dense, rather than just adding empty calories. Your snack should provide vitamins and minerals, but should also be rich in fibre, healthy fats, calcium and also protein. A few reliable options include a handful of raw almonds (but watch your portion size) or a fruity, fat-free Greek yoghurt product, such as Fruyo – they’ll help you to feel satisfied, keeping you fuller for longer.
Fiona Hunter is a nutritionist and food writer. Fiona is an advocate for Fruyo, the new fat-free yoghurt with real fruit pieces, from the makers of TOTAL Greek yoghurt.
Click here to see StyleNest’s roundup of the best New Year healthy lifestyle remedies.