I ran across this suggestion for a desk-friendly snack selection on a major health magazine website. Scanning their list, I could see that there was plenty to criticize about every selection and none of their suggestions was a nutrient-dense, hunger-tamer you need.
healthy and conveniently portable midday snacks: NOT! Ixnay to all the choices below:
- Baby carrots and hummus.
- Apple and cheese. Choose any reduced-fat cheese, such as mozzarella or Swiss, to enjoy with apple slices or grapes.
- Whole-grain crackers and peanut butter.
- Banana and peanut butter. This is a great idea if you are craving something a little sweeter. Peanut butter spread on a just ripe banana is truly satisfying.
- Trail mix. ·
- Low-fat vanilla yogurt topped with raisins.
Why? Carbohydrates whether they’re in carrots, apples, grapes, or bananas convert immediately to glucose in the body, putting your body on an immediate roller coaster ride with a sure path to hypoglycemia before the day is over.
And all those muffins, and crackers? Remember that flour was the first processed food being a derivative of wheat and no better than any of the other carbohydrate bombs.. Do not buy or eat cookies, chips, crackers or cake. Avoid sugary soft drinks.
Most crackers and grain-based snacks are not any more nutritious than eating a piece of paper you pulled from your computer.
SATISFYING MID DAY SNACKS THAT ARE NUTRIENT DENSE
1-ounce servings of full-fat cheeses
Jerky or nitrate-free sausage
handful of nuts
a spoonful of peanut butter or plain butter served on a celery stick or eaten by itself.
A cup of coffee with cream (not milk)
Lemon Water. That would be a glass of ice water with a lemon squeezed in and an artificial sweetener to taste. Plus it’s free.
Water is always good. Aim for 64 ounces each and every day.