Research shows that people who eat healthy snacks between meals consume fewer calories overall. This may be because they prevent themselves becoming ravenously hungry, therefore are less likely to overeat. When you feel like you are starving, you are also more likely to go for the unhealthy stuff.

Choosing snacks wisely helps you to nourish your body, maintain concentration, mood & energy levels, keep your metabolic rate up, and eliminate sugar cravings. The key is to be prepared. Have the ingredients in your cupboard or fridge, and if you are out and about, whether at work, shopping or at the park, prepare before hand and bring with you! Don’t be caught out with nothing but chocolate bars, sweets and crisps to choose from at the corner shop.

Here are some top snacks. The ideal combination is some carbs, protein and healthy fats. These are also good for post workout recovery:

• Apple & handful almond, not a whole bag
• 2 Rice cakes with hummus
• High protein fruit yoghurt eg. Danio (Danone), Total (Fage)
  

  Homemade Cocoa Bars

• Hummus with carrot sticks
• Skinny latte
• ½ wholemeal pitta with ham and tomato
• Homemade cocoa bar
• small bar of chocolate e.g. Green & Black and cup of milky coffee
• 4 apricots, spread with peanut butter, dunked in to toasted pumpkin seeds
• slices of apple spread with low fat cream cheese/peanut butter & raisins
• piece of fruit with cheese strings
• Homemade Seriously Healthy Flapjack