Many people think snacks are off-limits while following a weight loss plan, so you might be happy to hear that’s not true! Yes, you can enjoy a snack (and should, in fact). But like everything else regarding your eating plan, you need to plan carefully. Avoid making these common mistakes during snack time, or else you could undermine your results.

Snacking out of habit, boredom, loneliness, etc. Before eating, ask yourself to rate your hunger on a scale of 1 to 10. When you’ve reached about a 7, it’s time for a snack.

Eating when you’re not actually hungry, or for emotional reasons, is one of the primary habits to break when you adopt a weight loss plan.

Misjudging portion sizes. A 100-calorie snack gives you a small energy boost, and will prevent you from becoming so ravenous that you over-eat at your next meal. But when snack sizes are too large, they can put you over your daily calorie allotment.

Avoid snacking right out of a bag, as this is one of the primary culprits of portion size miscalculation. Measure your snack into a separate container, or go for pre-packaged snacks that are already correctly portioned for you.

Overdoing the carbs. We tend to reach for snacks when our blood sugar gets low, and instinctively gravitate toward simple carbs like sugar and white flour. But those only trigger a quick spike in blood sugar (and energy) followed by another crash (and cravings). Instead, pair complex carbs with protein or healthy fats to slow the energy release.

Snacking on the go. Resist the urge to grab something on the go, because it will be more difficult to locate adequate fare. Pack snacks before leaving the house, so that you’re not tempted to indulge in fast, calorie-heavy solutions.

Skipping snacks. As we said, snacks can be essential to keeping your metabolism burning and your energy levels adequate! So definitely resist the urge to skip snacks, or you might find yourself burnt out on this weight loss plan.

For more help with your eating plan, or information on the right balance of carbs, proteins, and fats, give us a call. We’ll review your goals and help you adjust your regimen.