How Healthy Are Your Snacks?

We all do it, but just how healthy are our snacks? This helpful article from Urban Green Cuisine talks us through the things that trigger our impulse to snack, how you break those cravings, and if you can't, a recipe on a healthy alternative - A raw chocolate brownie!

Most often snacks are high in fat and processed sugars which can make maintaining a healthy diet very difficult indeed. There are a myriad of reasons for us craving those snacks, the top ones for me are dehydration vs. hunger, boredom, stress, hormones and the big one: willpower.

How do I stop the cravings?

Plan your meals and snacks. I plan my weekly meals and snacks by preparing these at the weekend. I know every day what I’m eating and when I’m eating it. I have smaller portions but eat more often; breakfast, snack, lunch, snack and dinner. Being consistent with your planning will help towards eliminating those cravings.

Feeling hungry? I check this by drinking water. Water keeps you hydrated and your brain can confuse dehydration with the feeling of being hungry. So don’t reach for the snack just yet, grab a big glass of water.

Boredom

Change your routine up, go take a walk, jump around for 15 minutes, stand up and take 5 minutes from your desk. Look at the triggers that make you bored and change them!

Stress

This was a big factor for me, in my goal for a healthier lifestyle. I had a stressful job and bought that stress home. This resulted in trying to find quick solutions at meal times, takeaways or going out for dinner and making unhealthy choices. I sought a confidant to address that stress and to help me redirect it; this person could be a professional, friend or family member. My confidant helped me to address the stress and manage it, the results speak for themselves and I have achieved and continue to achieve the goals I set for myself.

Hormones

I’m not an expert; apart from being a woman! We all know that hormones have a massive impact on our diet. Again go seek professional advice, hormone imbalance could be from simply not having enough sleep. Be more active and turn off those tablets and phones before bed!

Temptation

Finally, take temptation out of the way… do not buy crisps, biscuits and chocolate! Look at replacing these with healthy alternatives and making them part of your daily food plan. Replace crisps with natural nuts – roast them in the oven sprinkled with chilli and paprika no oil needed! Make your own popcorn – a sprinkle of coconut sugar and toss in the pan!

Chocolate is the big one for a lot of people. Have a look at my Raw Brownie recipe, guaranteed to stop those afternoon craving - give them a go!

Raw Chocolate Brownie

1 cup of Pecan Nuts
½ cup of Chopped Dates
½ Cup Ground Flaxseed
1 tbsp. Cacao Powder

Blend the nuts until fine, add all the ingredients and blitz together. Add a couple of tablespoons of water, to enable the mixture to form a large ball in the processor. Take out and mould into bite-size balls! Refrigerate for an hour and enjoy!

If you would like to know more about Urban Green Cuisine and its services please contact Lorna via www.urbangreen.uk.com