Unhealthy snacking can be a tough habit to break. Oftentimes, the most convenient snacks are also the most unhealthy. There’s research that suggests that some unhealthy snacks can help release “feel good” chemicals in the brain. When you fall into the habit of unhealthy snacking, you can disrupt your progress toward your health goals. Let’s look at ways to avoid unhealthy snacking and stay on track.
Out of sight, out of mind
One way to reduce unhealthy snacking is to eliminate temptation. When you can’t see it, you’re less likely to reach for it. Try these tips to help keep unhealthy snacks out of sight and out of mind:
- Use a box to hide your remaining snacks in an inconvenient location
- Place unhealthy snacks out of reach on a high shelf or in the back of a cabinet
- Give away your remaining snacks or throw them away
Find healthy, satisfying alternatives
Once you’ve made room for healthy snacks, start looking for alternatives. Here are a few articles with delicious, healthy snack ideas:
- 6 easy, healthy snack recipes
- What are some healthy snack ideas for traveling?
- 10 healthy snack combos for weight loss
- 9 healthy snacks under 200 calories
- Healthy snack attack: quesadillas pequeñas
Other great healthy snacks include:
- Fresh fruits
- Vegetables
- Nuts
- Seeds
- Yogurt and granola
Set yourself up for success
Now it’s time to build healthy habits to ensure that you can stick to healthy snacking as part of your daily routine. Here are some tips to help you plan ahead for success:
- Make snack prep a part of your weekly routine
- Shop and plan for healthy eating
- Make your snacks in bulk
- Keep your portions small by using smaller containers
- Make sure your snacks are easy to grab and go