Snacking often gets a bad rap. Maybe your mom warned you that eating before dinner would ruin your appetite, or perhaps too many visits to the office vending machine have caused you to gain weight. The goal is to snack smartly. If choosing the right foods in the right amounts, snacking can play an important role in a healthy diet.

Snacks:
• Are a great way to get extra nutrients into your diet especially when constantly on the go
• Prevent the “monster munchies” and overeating
• Ensure you’re getting enough calories if you have high calorie needs

Who benefits from snacking?
• “Grazers” who tend to prefer smaller but more frequent meals
• Toddlers or other young picky eaters who have smaller appetites and may not eat enough during regular meal times
• Older adults who may have a smaller appetite from less physical activity or taking multiple medications that decrease appetite
• Athletes who have high calorie needs
• Growing tweens and teens who have high calorie needs
• Pregnant women
• Those who need to control their blood sugar levels such as individuals with diabetes