This week on our Instagram, our practitioners are sharing their favorite snacks to help motivate and inspire you to snack smart. Wonder what an ND looks for when choosing what to snack on? In this post we will share our tips for selecting the best items to nosh on.
During the day, you should aim to enjoy three larger meals, making sure they are properly balanced. Hunger between meals is natural as your blood sugar declines and it is your opportunity to nourish your body just enough to get you to your next meal. Let’s break down the components of a well-rounded, nutritious snack
First and foremost, balancing out your blood sugar is key to having a smart snack. The reason for moderate hunger between meals is in fact our body alerting you that your blood sugar is dropping.
When choosing a snack, consider its effects on your blood sugar. You should aim to balance so pair good carbs with healthy fats and clean proteins.
Reaching for a muffin, donut, or other “white” flour, high sugar snack will send your blood sugar soaring only to have it crash. The good carb component of your snack should be a healthy “slow” burning carb such as whole fruit or whole grains.
Fat is your friend, as long as it’s the right kind of fat. Polyunsaturated fats are utilized heavily in the body and keep you feeling full longer. These are the fats you want to include in with your snacks. Choose nuts, seeds, or fish for your healthy fat option.
Proteins are essential building blocks for our body. Choosing clean proteins for snacking will further help balance blood sugar and provide good nutrition. Ideal snack options for clean proteins are nuts, seeds, legumes and pulses, and hard boiled eggs.
Here are some quick ideas for snacks from clinic co-owner, Du La, ND :
Our ND’s are ready to assist you with a properly balanced diet plan to support your overall health and wellness – Get in touch!
