|
You are here: main  online features
|
|
Your Best Defense
Better Bites
When you get a snack craving, it's all right to give in - if you know how to make the most of your snack options. Look for snacks that pack a big nutrient bang. Not only are they better for you, but they may help you feel more full than your normal snack would. Here are a few ideas:
Munchy Snacks
Sweet Bites
Thirst Quenchers
Many snack foods and drinks have added sugar. While they taste good, they tend to be low in vitamins and minerals and higher in calories. And they probably won't make you feel full, so you could be tempted to overeat. You might not recognize some of the hidden sugars listed on food labels. Here are some other names that sugar goes by: sucrose, glucose, fructose, maltose, dextrose, corn syrups, high-fructose corn syrup, concentrated fruit juice and honey. When to Eat Three regular meals a day? Five smaller ones? Which is better - and where do snacks fit in? Choose what works best for you. The main goal is to not overeat. Some people find it easier to control the amount they eat with four or five small meals. Eating just once or twice a day may lead to overeating because you are hungry. Most people do just fine with three daily meals with a healthy snack in between, if they feel hungry. Healthy snacking doesn't have to mean boring, tasteless food. There are plenty of good-for-you choices with loads of flavor. The American Heart Association can help. Visit heartcheckmark.org to build your free, personalized, heart-healthy grocery list. The list includes various categories - including snacks. Snack attacks don't have to control you - if you make the right choices, you can enjoy a snack - guilt-free. The fiber found in unrefined whole-grain foods can help lower your blood cholesterol, which is important in preventing heart disease and stroke. When looking for a whole-grain snack:
To make shopping easier, look for the American Heart Association's heart-check mark. The mark identifies products that meet the association's criteria for being high in whole grains and fiber and low in saturated fat and cholesterol. Shop smart. Live well. Look for the heart-check mark! Products bearing the heart-check mark meet the American Heart Association's nutrition criteria per standard serving size to be:
Additionally:
Cooking spray Put a piece of aluminum foil about 12 inches square on a platter or baking sheet. Lightly spray with cooking spray. Set aside. In small nonstick skillet, dry-roast almonds over medium heat for 2 to 3 minutes, or until lightly golden brown, stirring occasionally. Stir in brown sugar, water, cinnamon and nutmeg. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes, or until liquid has evaporated and almonds are coated with mixture, stirring constantly. Transfer to foil. Let cool completely, 15 to 20 minutes. Meanwhile, in medium bowl, stir together the remaining ingredients. Add cooled almonds to cereal mixture, stirring to combine. Store in an airtight container for up to 7 days. Cook's Tip: For variety, substitute different nutrient-dense dried fruits, such as cherries, apricots and plums, for the cranberries and blueberries. Cut them into 1/4- to 1/2-inch pieces before adding them to the cereal mixture. Nutrition Analysis (per serving): Calories, 139; Total Fat, 2.0 g; Saturated Fat, 0.5 g; Trans Fat, 0.0 g; Polyunsaturated Fat, 0.5 g; Monounsaturated Fat, 1.0 g; Cholesterol, 0 mg; Sodium, 124 mg; Carbohydrates, 28 g; Fiber, 4 g; Sugars, 15 g; Protein, 2 g; Dietary Exchanges: 1 fruit, 1 starch This recipe is brought to you by the American Heart Association's Food Certification Program. Recipe copyright © 2008 American Heart Association. For more information heart-healthy grocery shopping, visit heartcheckmark.org. SOURCE: American Heart Association  Recipes | Food Articles | Food Safety | Culinary Schools Copyright ©2008 culinary.net Before using materials from this site, please read our usage agreement.
|
(Family Features) - Do you fight food cravings but feel guilty for snacking? Snacking doesn't have to be off-limits when you're trying to eat healthy or lose weight. In fact, snacking can be an important part of your diet if you know how to make the right choices.