Life would be much easier if humans only got hungry at breakfast, lunch and dinner. But for most people, the feeling of hunger can strike at any time as your body digests food. Hunger is actually your body’s way of telling you that it needs more “fuel” to function properly.
But eating to best serve your body is much more than just selecting the first option you see. Think of your body like a car—you wouldn’t put unleaded fuel into a Rolls Royce, right? Selecting the best fuel for your body is key to your peak performance. Here are a few things to look out for when selecting good health snacks in Poplar Bluff, MO:
Short ingredient list
Ingredients are listed in order by weight on the ingredient list. This means that the first item mentioned is the most plentiful. Try to pick foods with a maximum of five ingredients. A lengthy list is an indicator that your potential snack may be filled with unnecessary sugars, artificial preservatives and hydrogenated oils.
Ingredients you can pronounce
When the afternoon hunger hits you may want to reach for a candy bar as a pick-me-up. While it may seem satisfying at the time, you’ll usually find yourself craving another treat way before dinner is on the table. One way to tell if your afternoon snack is a solid choice is the ingredient list. If you can’t pronounce a key ingredient it might be best to just put that snack back on the shelf.
Protein
If you’re still not feeling full after a light lunch your best option is to reach for a protein dense snack. Choosing a high protein snack is an easy way to curb hunger and keep blood sugar levels stable. Snacks such as hardboiled eggs, turkey breast slices, seeds and almonds are great options that will help you snack less while still feeling full.
Whole foods
A healthy snack will supply you with key nutrients, such as calcium, vitamin C and fiber. Choosing fresh and whole foods is an easy way to reach your daily nutrient goals without having to take a handful of vitamins every morning. Always have pre-prepped fruits and vegetables on hand as a snack. The switch to health snacks in Poplar Bluff, MO is much easier when baby carrots are more accessible than the bag of salt and vinegar chips.
Good sugars
Many granola bars pack in at least three teaspoons of refined and processed sugars. This can include unhealthy options like high fructose corn syrup or evaporated cane sugar. Fruit may be your best choice if you’re craving something sweet but don’t want to wreck your diet. The sugar found in fruit will help satiate your sweet tooth without causing a spike in blood sugar levels. Your body can turn sugar, a naturally occurring carbohydrate, into energy needed to stay alert.