How to Survive a Snack Attack
By Sara Butler
It’s a familiar scenario: You’ve been working in your office most of the afternoon and then you start to feel your energy waning. Then it occurs to you, you simply need a snack to keep going. Or do you?
Snack attacks may help you to feel a renewed sense of purpose during your mid-afternoon slump, but they’re not great for your health. That’s because what most people choose to snack on, or what they have available to them, isn’t exactly the most nutritious or healthy. Plus, when you snack in front of any screen, whether it’s a computer screen or a television, you slip into mindless snacking territory. That’s not a great place to be.
Here are a few ways you can beat the afternoon snack attack to help you stay healthy and on track with your health and wellness goals.
Eat More
Some people fall into a trap where they don’t eat much for most of the day, then fall into a calorie-laden snackfest later in the day. Remember, how you eat is almost as important as what you eat, which means that starting off your day with a healthy breakfast and continuing to feed your body healthy foods over the course of the day will help you stay on the right track. Of course, snack as you think you need to, but make the snacks pack a nutritional punch. Think a handful of nuts instead of a cupcake.
Don’t Give into Evening Munchies
After work, it’s nice to come home and relax a bit. Unfortunately, for many people that means heading into the kitchen to find a snack before it’s time for dinner. The problem here isn’t grabbing a snack before dinner -- the problem is choosing a healthy option. Have a handful of nuts or some chopped up vegetables -- you don’t want to fill up on unhealthy options before it’s time to sit down for a nutritious dinner.
On the Road
Another dangerous place for a snack attack is on the road. When you’re traveling by car, it’s important to pack healthy snacks to take with you. If you wait until you’re on the road, you may find yourself without a lot of healthy choices at a roadside convenience store.
You can navigate a snack attack -- just be prepared! The chiropractors at The Joint make a great resource for proper nutrition information.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Marietta, Ga.