| Why are healthy snacks important? Let's be | | | | less than 35% of calories from fat, less than 35% |
| honest, they don't taste as good. Bottom line, | | | | of calories from sugar, less than 10% of calories |
| nothing will taste as good at that exact moment | | | | from saturated fat, and the item itself be less |
| as a chocolate bar, ice cream, cinnamon roll, | | | | than 250 calories. |
| cheese Danish...get the idea? But that doesn't | | | | 4. Better Brain Function |
| obviously mean that's what kids and people in | | | | Putting less sugar and fat into one's body, and |
| general, should eat. On the contrary, healthy | | | | doing more to meet basic nutrition needs will |
| snacks should be encouraged for the multiple | | | | certainly allow one's brain to function at its highest |
| positive effects they'll have. | | | | capacity. |
| 1. Encourage Discipline | | | | 5. Potentially Protecting Against Type 2 Diabetes |
| Don't laugh. Eating healthy, or healthier is all about | | | | While the data isn't conclusive in this area, many |
| discipline. You'd rather have ice cream, but instead | | | | believe that lowering sugar content and starch |
| opt for pretzels. You'd rather have a chocolate | | | | content in one's diet may prevent the onset of |
| bar, but instead opt for chex mix. It's not easy, | | | | type 2 diabetes for those who are predisposed to |
| but can be done. If done once, it develops | | | | it. Certainly we understand that when someone is |
| discipline, and gets easier in the future. This | | | | diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes, they are |
| discipline will make other things, like waking up in | | | | immediately instructed to reduce sugar intake. |
| the morning, completing school tasks, homework, | | | | So the support for the idea that kids should eat |
| studying, etc easier as well. | | | | healthy snacks is pretty overwhelming, or it would |
| 2. Establish a Long Term View | | | | seem so. That said, the opposing view is |
| Similar to the above item, Eating healthy snacks | | | | represented by something pretty overwhelming |
| does establish a long term view of the situation in | | | | on its side....the American Advertising Industry! |
| that the effect of choosing a healthy snack over | | | | Whether through TV, Radio, the internet, or |
| candy is not always immediately apparent. The | | | | countless other advertising mechanisms, unhealthy |
| positive effects may take some time to manifest. | | | | snacks are presented in enticing fashion by the |
| 3. Reduced Problems With Overweight and | | | | some of the smartest advertising minds in the |
| Obesity | | | | world. So what to do? Just keep doing what you |
| Finding Healthy Solutions for your snacking will | | | | can to encourage proper diet, present the facts |
| definitely promote weight management. A good | | | | and hope people make the right choice. |
| rule of thumb is that the snacks be made up of | | | | |