Healthy News

There’s a big deal being made  in the media for snacks that only contain 100 calories. It’s great in theory because you can have a snack that’ll tide you over until the next meal without having something that will equate to the caloric value of a meal.

But…are you doing yourself any favours by eating a 100 calorie chocolate bar?  Maybe you’ll be tempted to eat TWO.  Maybe you’ll be tempted to eat them more often?

Doesn’t it make much more sense to change your eating habits altogether so that you don’t crave sweets and junk food?  Here are some low calorie alternatives to the sweet junkfood snacks you’ve been going for that are low in calories, high in benefits and meet a similar craving:

Salty:  go for popcorn instead of chips

Sweet:  go for fruit instead of baked goods or a bowl of cereal

Forget ice cream and go for yogurt with berries and granola

Instead of a sweet chocolate bar, go for a granola bar or some healthy trail mix.

Calorie counting is important for weight loss but it’s not just the calories that matter…it’s what kinds of nutrients and sugars are contained in those calories. You’ll feel fuller from a big bowl of popcorn that is only 100 calories than a little wafer thin chocolate bar that tastes like “more please” and popcorn is high in fiber.  You’ll do wonders for your body with an apple for some crunch versus some greasy potato chips and while potato chips are made with a vegetable they don’t qualify as a vegetable.  The sooner you trade your child-sized portion of fries for a big, giant, colourful side salad the better you’ll feel.

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