Choosing Healthy Snacks

Choosing Healthy snacks:
3. We all want to reach for a snack at times. What are some foods you recommend that can satisfy us but still have nutritional value?
When working with kids, we instruct caregivers to "think of snacks as mini meals," but I think the same can be applied to adults. Though snacks don't typically include all the food groups, combining one carbohydrate-rich food (e.g., from the fruit or grain groups) and one protein and/or fat-rich food (e.g., from the dairy, protein, or oil groups) creates a satisfying, nutritious snack. Here are a few of my favorites:

• Trail mix (nuts, seeds, dried fruit, maybe popcorn, and definitely a pinch of chocolate)
• Apple or banana with peanut butter
• Apple or berries with cheese or Greek yogurt
• Whole-wheat crackers with cheese
• Multigrain pita chips with hummus
• Whole-grain cereal with milk

Additionally, there are many granola/nutrition bars on the market to choose from. Some of them are just chocolate chip cookies in disguise, but others are great options for a satisfying, nutritious snack on the go. Check the nutrition facts label and look for a choice with less added sugar and more fiber, protein, and fat.