5 Health-Supporting Benefits
The USDA reports that Americans eat an average of three snacks a day, as opposed to the traditional three meals a day our grandparents ate. The snack food industry brings in a whopping 124 billion dollars each year.
Considering that we get one fourth of our daily calories from snacks, it’s extremely important that we make good decisions and choose healthy snacks over processed snacks that can sabotage our health.
What Are The Benefits of Eating a Healthy Snack?
1.) A scheduled healthy snack can prevent stress eating or eating out of boredom. Allowing yourself to get too hungry can increase the chances that you’ll binge eat. A healthy snack keeps you from feeling deprived and keeps your blood sugar levels even.The trick is to choose a snack that is the perfect mix of protein and good carbs. A good choice would be string cheese or cottage cheese and a piece of fruit, or crackers or toast with peanut butter. Both of these options will keep you satisfied and are low in calories.
2.) Supplementing your diet with a healthy snack can help improve concentration at work and in school. The American Dietetic Association found that a snack that includes protein and complex carbs helps you to retain information and keep focused throughout the day. Choosing a healthy mid afternoon snack at work will help you push through the day, without adding unwanted pounds.
3.) A healthy snack boosts energy long term compared to the short burst of energy you get from a sugary, processed snack. The sugar in processed foods causes a drastic increase in your blood sugar, followed by a crash as the sugars leave the body. A snack that contains complex carbs offers sustaining energy without a crash.
4.) Healthy snacking can help seniors and children avoid nutritional deficiencies in their diets. Both of these groups are susceptible to nutritional deficiencies due to changing appetites. In an American Dietetic Association study of over 2,000 seniors, a healthy snack boosted levels of vitamins and minerals, as well as improved brain function and evened moods. In children with ADHD, a healthy snack can help keep the body’s chemistry on an even keel, and help level out brain function.
5.) Athletes who choose healthy snacks can maximize their performance. The average athlete burns 600 calories per workout or event. Their bodies require more calories than sedentary people, and snacking is a great way to provide them while keeping energy levels up. Teen athletes require even more calories to meet nutritional needs. Choosing a portable snack such as trail mix or a high protein shake. Earth Turns offers a host of snacks that are portable, and offer a lasting energy boost.
Healthy Snack Suggestions
Here are just a few suggestions for healthy snacks that boost nutrition and provide a lasting energy boost:
- Organic Raw Nut/Seed Butter with fruit
- Protein Shake
- Organic Trail Mix
- Organic Nuts & Seeds
- Protein Bar
Taking the time to stock your refrigerator and pantry with healthy foods, divided into appropriately sized portions is a great way to keep healthy eating on track.
For more information on all natural healthy snacks, please click here: Natural Health Food