To snack or not to snack: what does healthy snacking tell us?

The snacking what is healthy snacking?

You’ve probably already heard of it: the term is appearing more and more in magazines and supermarkets… Particularly in the snack aisles, where you can eat on the go without feeling guilty. The term snacking healthy” snacking was mainly created by the food industry to offer us snacks that would satisfy our snacking cravings… without making us gain 1 kilo.

For Jérôme Gruson, a “real snacking snack is above all ” food that’s good for you “. In other words, ” a low-calorie food – with a low number of calories per 100 g. “. Any examples? ” Fruits, vegetables, dairy products and whole grain products (unprocessed). ”

Does that mean we can munch on carrots, apples or any other snack healthy all day long? Why do people say it’s not good to snack?

In fact, the term “snacking” refers to an “Eating Disorder”. Eating Disorder”. And that’s what’s not “good”. Snacking is not directly linked to hunger, it happens under the influence of an emotion. Nibbling is eating outside of mealtimes… without being hungry. ”

” Some people can snack without affecting their weight. “But the fact is if your metabolism is low, then snacking – eating without feeling hungry – could be one of the reasons for weight gain. “In this case, unfortunately, snacking becomes a problem… whether it’s a snacking healthy or not.

If not out of hunger, where does that 4pm muffin craving come from? Or any other compulsive craving…?

According to Jérôme Gruson, ” compulsive snacking is often linked to temptations, reflexes or emotions… ” This compulsion can be triggered by positive emotions, such as snacking with children or socializing in the office, or by negative emotions. ” Dealing with a stressful situation, for example, can be so unpleasant that eating gives us immediate pleasure. ”

We should add that dieting can also be the reason for compulsive snacking, because ” dieting deprives us, puts us under pressure and… we break down “.

As a nutrition specialist, what do you recommend?

” As a dietician-nutritionist, my advice is simply not to snack*. “. My best tip for not snacking is not to frustrate yourself by dieting. Instead, ” learn to eat without feeling guilty, of everything, according to our hunger and satiety, so as not to feel frustrated. ”

That’s why all nutritionists recommend eating 3 balanced meals a day, taking the time to chew and savour each food. When you’re full, you won’t get frustrated and… you won’t throw yourself on the first piece of candy that comes along.

That said, if you’re on the verge of giving in or if you feel the need to snack for pleasure or conviviality, here are some other ideas to consider dig crunch.

– Relieve stress. If your urge to snack stems from a stressful situation, you need to find an alternative activity that will help you relieve that stress… Examples? At the office, get out and clear your head for a few minutes; in the evening, try a sport or a more zen activity such as yoga. They’ll help you get rid of bad emotions.

– Move up your mealtime. If you feel the same urge to nibble at the same time every day, it’s a good idea to bring your meal time forward. Instead of throwing yourself on something too rich, too fatty or too sweet, opt for a well-balanced meal that will keep you going all afternoon.

– Turn to a hot drink or a tall glass of water! In the afternoon, when your colleagues or children are having a snack, you can turn to a warm drink such as sweet herbal tea, green tea or chicory with no added sugar.

So, if the urge to snack arises, unfortunately, the snacking There’s nothing you can do about it. Because it’s not your stomach that needs it, it’s your head. So, rather than biting into a square of chocolate or even a cereal bar, keep your mind occupied, be more cunning than your sweet tooth, and find a de-stressing activity.

To find out more about Dr Jérôme Gruson, dietician-nutritionist in Lille, you can have a look at his website.

* “except for medical or surgical reasons that require the patient to split his or her diet”.