A registered dietitian reveals her top method for making better snacking choices. The world of snacks offers a vast array of options: from a piece of fruit to a high-protein bar or even some pretzels. However, picking the wrong snack can leave you searching for something else soon after. What snack choices ensure optimal nutrition and stave off hunger until your next meal?
In her cookbook “So Easy So Good: Delicious Recipes and Expert Tips for Balanced Eating,” registered dietitian Kylie Sakaida introduces an effective system for healthy snacking, which she calls the Mix-and-Match Method. This approach focuses on combining foods from different categories to create more satisfying snacks.
Start by identifying the three main food groups. Instead of picking from just one, select foods from two categories. Combining ingredients from at least two groups fosters a more balanced snack. While protein is essential, adding fiber or healthy fats slows digestion, keeping you fuller longer and stabilizing blood sugar levels. This combination also sustains energy, preventing crashes and reducing mindless snacking urges.
Moreover, pairing different ingredients adds enjoyment to your snacks. Mixing flavors and textures makes them more appealing, which is equally important.
Sakaida shared some of her favorite snack pairs, asserting that even those with a sweet tooth can benefit from this strategy. Balanced sweet snacks are indeed achievable:
Whether craving sweet or savory flavors, the Mix-and-Match Method offers endless combinations to explore. You can create personalized lists of foods or consult the chart in “So Easy So Good.” Preparing combos in advance, like hummus with veggie sticks or cheese with fruit, can help maintain healthier choices over reaching for chips or granola bars.
Ultimately, the strategy encourages flexibility over rigidity. It’s a straightforward way to approach snacks that keep you satisfied. Eventually, you’ll discover your own favorite combinations you return to repeatedly.
