I am sure that a lot of us are finding ourselves bored, sedentary, longing for comfort foods and at home and snacking throughout the day! Are you reaching for fruit and veggies or Goldfish crackers? Cheese sticks or a party sized bag of chips?
Our snacking tips are important to avoid tooth decay and keep our immune systems strong to fight the Covid-19 virus. Here are 5 snacking tips to help you!
- Zero in on hunger. Ask yourself, “Am I truly hungry?” It is easy to mistake emotions, such as stress, for hunger. If the answer is yes, make sure that you are not confusing hunger with thirst. Drink an 8 ounce glass of water and wait 10 to 15 minutes. If you are still hungry, choose a healthy snack.
- Go Nuts. Unsalted nuts and seeds make great snacks. Try almonds, walnuts, pistachios, peanuts, roasted pumpkin seeds/pepitas, cashews, or hazelnuts. Nuts and seeds contain beneficial nutrients and leave you feeling full. Keep your portion size small though because nuts are high in calories.
- Fall in Love with Healthy Options. Incorporate veggies into your snacks. Try hummus with baby carrots or other raw, crunchy vegetables,100% nut butters with celery or an apple, string cheese with a small bunch of cherry tomatoes or grapes, or plain nonfat Greek yogurt with blueberries. See the tooth snack guide in the posted photo.
- Don’t be a grazer. When it comes to snacking, what you eat is as important as how often you snack. When you eat, the bacteria in your mouth go to work to lower the pH of the oral cavity to create an ideal environment for tooth decay to form. Continual snacking prolongs this environment. Swishing with water after meals and snacks helps this environment recover.
- Snack Mindfully. Don’t eat your snack while surfing the internet or watching TV. Take a time out and eat your snack like you would a small meal for increased satiety.
Stay Home, Stay Safe, Stay Healthy, and Snack Wisely! The bonus is that you are building great habits for a lifetime of overall health!
