Written by Imane Dodo
Image by @Africaisnowmagazine
Are you constantly living in an eternal internal conflict between having that cookie because “YOLO” and wanting a snatched body for summer? Or feeling horrible when you have a chocolate bar outside your cheat days? You are not alone Hun, we can fully relate. Poor snacking habits tend to be the enemy of progress when it comes to achieving your fitness goals. Let’s stop pretending, controlling snacking habits is one of the hardest things to do, yet it brings major rewards when done right. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to build healthier and more balanced snacking habits
FAIL TO PLAN YOUR MEALS, PLAN TO FAIL YOUR GOALS
It is critical to plan your meals ahead of time to build healthier snacking habits. Take the time to plan your meals at a cadence that works for you (weekly or twice a week tend to work best) and plan your food shops around your schedule, especially during the week. Go for simple yet yummy snacks that are very quick to make. If you prefer more complicated snacks, prep the different components of the snack ahead of time so it is very quick to put together when it is time to attack
KEEP THE BAD (JUNK FOOD) AWAY
If you know that you lack self-control, it is fundamental to keep the bad energy far away (in Wizkid’s voice) by not putting yourself in compromising situations. If you have a sweet spot for crisps or sweets, stay away from them in the supermarket aisle and do not buy them. It is like going to the same places as your ex and only relying on your inner strength to resist. We all know how that ends.. Fine, not the same but kind of. Unfortunately, junk food is likely to be the first thing you grab when you are starving if you have it readily available in the house
EAT THE RAINBOW BUT BE CREATIVE
Prioritise unprocessed food for snacking. Most of your favorite meals can be made generally healthier by adding more fruits, vegetables or healthier carbs, unless those favorite snacks are junk junk. For example, replace your beloved toast with a rice cake or whole-grain toast. However, portion control remains critical as no matter how healthy your snacking habits are, your goals may be impacted if you do not control portion sizes, especially for fatty food such as avocado and nuts or high sugar content food like dates or bananas. There is a reason why a snack is not a meal; it is meant to keep you going in between meals. We all know how boring salads or carrots sticks can be so you have to be creative. Invest the time to experiment and build your top snack list (Tasty app is a gem). Here are the snacks I swear by as pre-workout, post workouts, rest days and late nights fixes.
DELICIOUS HEALTHY SNACKS IDEAS
– Green smoothie (Recipe: 2 handful spinach leaves, 4 fresh mint leaves, ½ medium-sized cucumber, ½ green apple, 1 celery stick and unsweetened coconut water and ice)
– Banana smoothie (Recipe: 1 frozen banana, ½ tbsp nut butter of choice (e.g. peanut butter), 1 cup nut milk of choice (almond, cashew, oat, etc.), 2 dates)
– Banana & honey toast
– Nutty cashew dates
– Toasted muesli with yogurt
– Rice cakes with avocado and tuna
– Cherry tomatoes and Buratta
IF YOU REALLY WANT THAT COOKIE, HAVE IT
Times can be tough when life is “lifing”. The key to living a healthier balanced life is.. balance. So if you really feel like having that cookie, have it and get back on track immediately. Living up to that balance is better than depriving yourself and constantly thinking about that cookie you wished you had, which may then lead to binge eating down the line.
