Can I Eat Snacks If I’m Trying To Lose Weight?
Snacking for Weight-loss
To snack or not to snack, that is the question. In this post, I’m going to share my top 5 tips for how to snack while trying to lose weight.
This post is actually an extract from my book (page 194) – but this is such a commonly asked question, that I really wanted to share how to snack for weight-loss here on the blog today.
Little snacks can seem harmless, but they can often be the reason for weight-gain – as well as the inability to lose weight!
Even healthy snacks (just like unhealthy snacks) can be high calorically, which can prevent us from achieving our body and weight-loss goals.
When I was trying to lose weight (when I was just starting out), I believed that if I ate only healthy food then I could eat as much as I wanted to (without gaining weight) – I soon learned that this belief simply isn’t true.
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You see, if we consume more calories than we are burning every day, then we will likely gain weight. However, if we consume less calories every day than what our bodies burn for daily fuel then we will likely lose weight.
Mindful snacking does not mean constant grazing – it means eating just what our bodies need and no more.
Top Snacking Tips
1. Low cal
A snack should ideally be low in calories
These calories should be worked into your daily calorie allowance and eating plan.
2. Balanced
A healthy snack will usually contain some protein, fats and carbs
Healthy fats and protein help the body to process the sugars which are naturally found in carbs.
3. Just a snack
A snack is not as big as a meal, because it is just a snack and not a meal
Meals are generally larger portions of food, while snacks are usually smaller portions of food.
4. Not a meal
A snack is just enough food to keep you going from one meal to the next
A snack is not an extra meal.
5. When it’s needed
A snack is not there just to be eaten for the sake of being eaten – it is there for moments when you need it
There may be times when you need to eat a snack because you are hungry, and there may be times when you want to snack because you are feeling bored – however, it is never a good idea to snack because of boredom.
Easy snack examples
An example of a healthy snack could be a piece of fruit with some raw nuts, or some chopped veggie slices with hummus, or even a slice of toast with natural peanut butter. Remember that these should always be eaten in realistic serving sizes, because even foods such as fruit, hummus and nuts can all be high calorically.
Here is a Free 3 day eating plan for weight-loss, that incorporates healthy snacks into a daily meal plan – You can download it here on my blog, this is what I used to lose 40 pounds!
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Remember that mindful snacking does not mean constant grazing – it means eating just what our bodies need and no more.
I hope that you found this helpful!
Liezl Jayne xo
Photos by Ross Charnock for liezljayne.com – Styled by Liezl Jayne
I stumbled upon your site only 3 days ago. I’ve started the diet plan today after downloading the book. I love how thoroughly you explain things. Thank you!
Hi Nayla! Thank you for your feedback, and I’m happy the books are helping you so far! Please let me know how your progress goes! 🙂 XO
Liezl Jayne, do you offer your 3 day weight loss book in paper form?
Hey Terri! No not at the moment, have you downloaded the eBook version? 🙂