Mindless scoffing (yes I thought that might get your attention!) is a bad habit and one to break now if you want to take care of your health. Eating before your gut is ready means low enzyme production and the likelihood that food will sit around and cause bloating. Most package snacks are high in processed carbs so your insulin will run high, which can be damaging to the arteries and they also contain chemical preservatives, artificial flavourings and colours which can sit around and cause trouble too.
So if you like a snack, or need one to keep your blood sugar steady, always think to combine Whole Food carbs with protein and/or fats. That way you’ll get a mini-meal that is nutritious and will keep you going for longer. So, choose your snack, eat it slowly, then return to what ever you were doing! Otherwise that packet of biscuits will simply disappear without you even noticing it.
Here are some simple combinations:
2 Oatcakes, Seeded Thins or a single seeded flat bread, with one of the following:
smoked salmon
smoked mackerel
mashed avocado
cottage cheese
goats cheese
hummus
low fat pate
peanut butter
hard boiled egg
tinned sardines / mackerel
and a handful of one, or a combination of these:
cherry tomatoes
cucumber / carrot / celery sticks / pepper sticks
sugar-snap peas
berries / cherries
chopped up apple
baby spinach leaves / fresh rocket
anti-pasti from a jar (artichokes, sun dried tomatoes, peppers)
olives
mixed nuts
pumpkin or sunflower seeds
Or make a trail mix from mixed nuts and seeds and a little dried fruit, and measure out a portion.
Other popular combinations:
Yoghurt + berries + pumpkin seeds
Celery sticks or apple slices with peanut butter.
Roasted chick peas (coat in spices and roast in a hot oven for 10 minutes)
Edamame beans, steamed with a pinch of sea salt
AS LONG AS THE FOOD LOOKS LIKE NATURE INTENDED IT TO, I DON'T MIND WHAT COMBINATION YOU CHOOSE!