Learn the rules for getting through the afternoon satisfied and junk-free.
1. Prepare Your Own
Avoid the break-room vending machine at all costs! Why? Most ready-made snacks are low in vitamins, nutrients, and protein and high in calories, fat, sugar, and sodium, which can inhibit the body's retention of much needed calcium. (Some sport and protein bars are an exception.) To snack right, you have to be prepared!
2. Eat a Balanced Snack
You should snack on more than just a piece of fruit or a handful of crackers, which are mostly carbohydrates. Why? Because carbohydrates are metabolized quickly and deliver their calories fastest. As a result, you feel a sudden spike of energy, and suffer an equally intense crash. The ideal slow-burn snack has carbohydrates, protein, and fat. My recommendation...a piece of fruit with some nuts or a handful of whole wheat crackers and a slice of cheese.
3. Snack to Maintain Weight
Snacks can keep you from getting fat. Eating snacks helps you control both your appetite and your weight, because when you don't arrive at the table famished, you're less likely to speed-eat, overeat, or just sit there emptying the bread basket into your belly as fast as is humanly possible. I recommended people eat two or three full meals and have two smaller, well-balanced snacks or mini-meals.
4. Keep Stress in Check
You may recognize the symptoms of stress: fatigue, lack of concentration, short temper, etc. Well, according to a recent study, people eat more high calorie snack foods and fewer fruits and vegetables when they are under pressure. Why? Because cortisol is released during physical or emotional stress, and that increases a person's appetite for carbohydrates, especially sweets.
6. Drink Lots of Water
You've eaten lunch. You've already had your snack. And now, you're still hungry and low on energy... When you find yourself lacking energy like this, make your way to the water bottle and down a glass. Studies have shown that fatigue is one of the first signs of dehydration, and when you're run-down, it's easy to confuse thirst for hunger.
Via: Real Simple
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