Tips to snack; from the Site dietitian

As a dietitian, we too end up with hectic days and very less time to eat and exercise. Although I feel cranky if I miss my work outs but my toughest times are the snack times. I converse with patients from ten in the morning up till six in the evenings. This makes it hard for me sometimes to think of grabbing a healthy snack.

Snacks can really add up to calories if you do not keep a check on what you are eating.

The snacks I love to eat -

• Pop corn with less or no oil.

• Fruits- I always carry a zip pouch with cut fruits. I add a dash of pepper or chaat masala for a zing.

• Carrot sticks, Julienne of red, yellow and green peppers are my favourite.

• Boiled eggs if I do not have time to make a healthy snack after my work out.

• Nuts- walnuts and almonds

• Yogurt- Low fat categories helps me meet my calcium requirements.
• Bananas- I have not included it in my fruits list as I consider this sometimes as my cover up for a late meal. If I know I am going to go with out food for a longer time, or if my meal mostly lunch is going to be delayed by more than an hour, I eat a medium sized banana. Keeps me active a little more longer. It reduces my hunger pangs and hence can work better.

Fruits and vegetables need a little pre-preparation but the efforts are worth while. Nuts can be just added in small air tight containers. Healthy snacking keeps me perked during my work and with out the guilt of unwanted calories.