Snacking suggestions wanted please....

Sparrow_Feet
Sparrow_Feet Posts: 76 Member
edited September 30 in Food and Nutrition
Hi All,

I am looking for snacking suggestions and here's why.....

To prevent peaks and troughs in blood sugar I try to eat little and often. Based on a typical working day, I have the following meals/intake:

Breakfast around 8-8.30
Mid morning snack usually around 10.30-11.00
Lunch around 12.30-13.00
Mid afternoon snack, usually around 15.00-15.30
Dinner between 18.30-19.30 (depending on what time I get home etc)

For the snacks, I have been having something like dried fruit (only natural without oil etc), rice cakes (plain), nuts, seeds etc. However, most days my sugar intake is way over my daily allowance, especially when having the dried fruit.

I am looking for some low-calorie, healthy snacks that are low in sugar but are handy when at work (e.g. no preparation). I am in England so keep that in mind if receommending specific foods (e.g. we don't have all the brands etc that are in the US).

Thanks all. :flowerforyou:

Replies

  • sharidiane
    sharidiane Posts: 212 Member
    I love the suggestions on this blog. It has totally changed the way I eat:

    http://fitnesswithnatalie.blogspot.com/2011/05/snack-time.html
  • bkelley32148
    bkelley32148 Posts: 279 Member
    I really love fresh fruit and keep a shaker with protein powder handy - with a little bit of ice you can make just about anything
  • bigfatbino
    bigfatbino Posts: 136 Member
    I've really taken a liking to boneless Brisling sardines in either olive oil or mustard. They really stave off hunger, are packed with protein, and taste less "fishy" in my opinion than a can of tuna-fish meat.
    I like to eat a can every day, either by themselves or on little whole wheat crisps with some black pepper on top.
    Works great for me, give 'em a try. I usually get "King Oscar", or "Crown Prince" brand. But I'm sure they'll have them there =)
  • lynn1982
    lynn1982 Posts: 1,439 Member
    Lately my snacks have consisted of a piece of fresh fruit with a piece of cheese or a tablespoon of peanut butter, veggies with hummus, or yogurt.
  • KayakingPublicist
    KayakingPublicist Posts: 37 Member
    Nuts are always a good snack and because of their fat and protein (vs sugar) punch, they sustain the body for longer periods of time. They are really good if you're doing an outdoor activity. Also, cheese sticks. Or we have organic turkey sticks but I would NOT do meat sticks or meat jerkey unless they are natural without nitrates. Recently I heard pistachios are very healing as are almonds so try those. I like pistachios if I'm having a salt craving and I have almonds if I'm craving something sweet. Blue Diamond has a whole line of new flavored almonds, but I'm not sure you can get those yet in the UK. But you can always flavor your own. Oh, and that reminds me. Troll the internet for a cheesy toasted pumpkin seed recipe. Those are yummy snacks. Hope this helps! My thing isn't sugar, I have to watch my dairy intake -- cause I take too much cream in my coffee. But good luck! You'll feel much better with protein snacks. Don't forget the favorite "hard-boiled egg" of many athletes. That's a good thing to match to your dried fruits. I put SPIKE seasoning on my eggs when I'm travelling.. Spike is simply a season-all and if you don't have SPIKE choose your favorite meat seasoning and try it on a hard boiled egg. That's always a good snack after a workout.
  • swtkaylasmommy
    swtkaylasmommy Posts: 42
    do you own a food dehydrator...i have a friend that uses hers religiously lol. she makes her own snacks like dried fruits and such. because she makes it herself it's always all natural, always organic and free of an preservatives or added sugars. try looking up dehydrator recipes.
  • swtkaylasmommy
    swtkaylasmommy Posts: 42
    PS: raw Almonds always work for me when trying to ward off hunger
  • whitejessamine
    whitejessamine Posts: 166
    With some minimal beforehand preparation, veggies are an excellent snack. Carrot sticks, celery, etc. are very portable. In American grocery stores, you can even buy them already cut up. Try 240 g of fat-free greek yogurt mixed with 30 g dijon mustard as a dip, or natural peanut butter (I always let it separate, then pour the oil off so it's lower in fat--a little dry, but still good).
  • Sparrow_Feet
    Sparrow_Feet Posts: 76 Member
    Thanks for all the tips and ideas. I like the sardines idea, although not sure my work neighbour will agree if I eat that at my desk. :frown: I have sardines in the food cupboard and tend to have them at weekend. Nuts are great, but I'll have to be strict on my portion control as I can be tempted to eat far too many. :blushing:

    The other thing I should have mentioned is that I try to be wheat free so quite a lot of crackers are out. Houmous and veg sticks in a great idea though. :smile:

    Wondering if protein shakes would be a good addition??? Never had them before...are they OK in fat / sugar content?
  • melaniecheeks
    melaniecheeks Posts: 6,349 Member
    I'm in the UK, and eat about the same times as you. I try to get a bit extra protein in my snacks (I dont really go for shakes or artificial protein)

    here's my snack list:

    Hard boiled eggs - I usually boil a few at the weekends so they're ready to go in my fridge.
    Almonds - I buy a big bag and then count out 20 nut portions in little bags or mini tubs, great to keep in the handbag for emergency snacking.
    Mini cheese - Babybel, or my favourite, Marmite flavour. Or string cheese.
    Rice cakes with something, usually a dairylea triangle, or cottage cheese. Sometimes humous.
    Slice of parma ham.
    3 or 4 crab sticks.
    Fresh fruit - less sugar than dried.
    Roast soy beans (Tesco) Or if you like a real horseradish hit, wasabi peas or beans. Again, I buy a big bag and portion out single portions to come in around 100 calories.
    Good quality bar like Nakd - just the nuts and fruits ones. Bit high on sugar, but great if I'm heading off to the gym later.
  • Sparrow_Feet
    Sparrow_Feet Posts: 76 Member
    I'm in the UK, and eat about the same times as you. I try to get a bit extra protein in my snacks (I dont really go for shakes or artificial protein)

    here's my snack list:

    Hard boiled eggs - I usually boil a few at the weekends so they're ready to go in my fridge.
    Almonds - I buy a big bag and then count out 20 nut portions in little bags or mini tubs, great to keep in the handbag for emergency snacking.
    Mini cheese - Babybel, or my favourite, Marmite flavour. Or string cheese.
    Rice cakes with something, usually a dairylea triangle, or cottage cheese. Sometimes humous.
    Slice of parma ham.
    3 or 4 crab sticks.
    Fresh fruit - less sugar than dried.
    Roast soy beans (Tesco) Or if you like a real horseradish hit, wasabi peas or beans. Again, I buy a big bag and portion out single portions to come in around 100 calories.
    Good quality bar like Nakd - just the nuts and fruits ones. Bit high on sugar, but great if I'm heading off to the gym later.

    Great list there! Thank you so much! I will follow your tips. :o)
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