There's no denying that everyone, at one time or another, has had a snack attack. Views on snacking differ. Some of us feel that snacking is bad and that eating between meals leads to weight gain. Others believe that eating many small meals and snacks throughout the day is healthy for maintaining energy levels and optimal weight. If there were one way of snacking that was right for everyone, we would all be doing it! 
 
To alleviate snack attack guilt, try to understand why you are snacking and what snacks work best for your body. Perhaps you snack because your daily diet is missing nutrition, or because you are eating too little at meals. You might be snacking to soothe jangled nerves when you are emotional, or to entertain yourself when you are bored. Whatever your reason, acknowledge it and start thinking about how to create a life that is nourishing and truly satisfying.
 
Although snacks are no substitute for loving your life, they can be great energy boosters. Many convenient snack foods are highly processed and full of chemicals, additives, damaging fats and refined sugars. When a snack attack hits you, try foods that are filling and satisfying, but also nutritious. Snack on things that don't come in a plastic wrapper or a box, like fresh fruit, leftover vegetables or rice cakes with almond butter and fruit spread. Make your own signature trail mix, organic hot chocolate made with almond milk sweetened with agave nectar, or blue corn chips with hummus.
 
You can also try "upgrading.'  If you are craving something crunchy, upgrade from potato chips to raw carrots, apples or whole grain crackers; if you are craving a candy bar, upgrade to a handful of nuts and dried fruit; instead of a cup of coffee, upgrade to green tea; instead of ice cream, upgrade to applesauce with cinnamon. Upgraded snacks are high in nutrition and give you a greater sense of satiety and satisfaction; you won't feel physically or psychologically deprived, and you'll have plenty of energy to sustain your activities for hours.
 
Snacking is enjoyable and there is a wide variety of healthful goodies for whatever you're craving, be it sweet, crunchy, salty, creamy or spicy. Dive in, be creative and enjoy your snack attack.

After more than 16 years in corporate Change Management, I decided to follow my passion to help others more directly. A vegetarian since the age of 14 (and a Southern vegetarian at that!), I've been an advocate of conscious living for some time. Delving more deeply into nutrition seemed natural and an ideal way to help others, especially given the current health crisis that is creating so much inconvenience and pain. As the late astronomer and educator Carl Sagan said, "we are made of star stuff." Literally, we are organic beings made from the same elements that make up the universe and to regenerate we need organic materials. We need to eat foods our bodies recognize. We are doing ourselves a great disservice by consuming all of the artificial, synthetic junk-food made available to us by desensitized, profit-hungry corporations. There is a time and place for packaged food and pharmaceutical drugs, but they should be last resorts - not how we live on a daily basis. Our bodies can heal themselves when given adequate amounts of organic vitamins and minerals. These essential elements are best assimilated through whole foods rather than synthetic versions. I look forward to sharing ways to live healthier lives through these newsletters and my counseling services.    

I received my certification to practice Health Counseling at the Institute for Integrative Nutrition, have completed the Food As Medicine course through The Center For Mind/Body Medicine, and graduated from the Natural Kitchen Cooking School as a Natural Foods Chef.  I am also a certified personal trainer and incorporate exercise into my counseling services. Come join our running group in Myers Park every Mon/Wed/Fri morning at 6:30 a.m.  Beginners are welcome! Contact me for details.

I offer a complimentary one-hour health consultation. If you or someone you know needs support, I'd love to hear from you to see how I can help. Just complete the confidential Health History form located in the bottom right-hand corner of my website and we'll meet to discuss your specific health goals.

Sincerely,