Food For Thought: Top 5 Healthy Snacks
I asked my friend, a regular gym-goer, someone who pays attention to what he eats and how he looks, to write down his top 5 healthy snacks. Here was his list:
While he aced some selections, he missed it entirely on others. Food should be seen as a source of nutrition for the body, not just as a calorie source.
Bananas are a nutritious grab-and-go snack: A good source of vitamin B6, vitamin C and fiber as well as manganese. A piece of banana also provides approximately 460 milligrams of potassium, making it a heart-friendly health snack. In addition, apples fill you up with fiber, and skim milk is a great addition to any snack for its calcium, riboflavin, and vitamin D.
On the other hand, Low Fat Kettle Crisps, Popchips, and Reduced Fat Triscuits might be low in fat, but provide the body with empty calories. Just because a product is low-fat or contains low sodium does not mean its good for you. Maybe it’s better for you than the original product, but it’s not healthy.
When eating, I ask my clients to ask themselves these 2 simple questions:
1. Is this food or meal providing nutrition (vitamins, minerals)?
2. Is this meal balanced (protein, fruits-vegetables, complex carbs, and maybe some healthy fat)? If it’s a food item, how does this fit in with what I’ve eaten or will eat today?
Without counting fat grams, carbs, calories, answering these two questions can help you easily determine if your providing your body with the fuel it needs to perform at its best.
Named the Hottest Fitness Celebrity of 2010, Heather Cohen, master trainer, entrepreneur, and group fitness guru, has more than 10 years of industry experience. Heather has been featured in the Washington Post and NECN’s TV Diner, which broadcasts in 5 million homes. She recently led Miss DC Jen Corey, to a top ten placement in the 2010 Miss America Pageant, by blowing out her competition in the swimsuit category. Heather’s brand, Haute Fitness LLC, is launching the newest and hottest classes in group fitness and personal training. In Heather’s own words, "You don’t have to go to the gym to sweat." For more, visit www.hautefitness.com
