The accessibility of the kitchen (and all the treats in it!) makes it very easy to succumb to the snacking temptation. However there are ways to avoid mindlessly going to the fridge and pantry.
Start with scheduling in your snacking times; mid-morning and mid-afternoon.
Keep to your normal meal routine. If you don’t have one, it’s a great time to set one up! (See previous blog).
Boredom may be the reason you are drawn to the kitchen. Take a moment before you head in there and try doing something else:
- Read a book
- Go for a walk
- Do an activity (eg knitting or a puzzle)
- Talk to friends or family…
Once you are in the kitchen (at your scheduled snack times) let’s reduce the temptation to snack on unhealthy options in favour of healthier ones.
Keep your healthy snack options accessible. Have them at the front of the fridge or pantry.
Here are some healthy snack ideas:
- Chop up cucumbers, peppers, celery, mushrooms and keep them in a container ready for you
- Make your own hummus with chickpeas, herbs, garlic, lemon juice, tahini and spices
- Make other dips such as butter bean or edamame
- Try different salsas and chutneys
- A glass of hot or cold milk with a dash or vanilla and cinnamon
- Latte or flat white
- Milo (1-2 teaspoons of milo) with milk
- Miso sachets
- Chop up fruit in a bowl and top with yoghurt (feels like a dessert)
- Dairyworks do a great Edam cheese and rice cracker packet (3crackers per packet with small slices of Edam). They are individually wrapped so portion controlled for you
Stay safe and be kind: especially to yourself. We may not be perfect in lockdown but we can minimise the effects.