Nowadays, due to busy lifestyles, many people focus on eating healthy snacks instead of meals or in between meals. Foods like dried fruits, granola, protein bars, seeds, yogurt or fruit smoothies are considered good for health. However, it is a misconception that just because these foods are ‘healthy’, they can be eaten in any quantity. According to dieticians, eating healthy snacks in excess can lead to excess calories in the body and weight gain.
Why do healthy snacks cause weight gain?
Many healthy snacks contain fiber, protein, and good fats. However, they can also be high in calories. For example, eating too many dried fruits, nuts, peanut butter, or granola can lead to more energy than you need. If your body can’t use those calories, they can be converted to fat.
‘Healthy’ does not mean unlimited
Many people eat a food without considering the quantity as soon as they think it is healthy. However, every healthy snack contains some calories. Therefore, it is necessary to plan how many snacks to eat in a day and at what time.
These mistakes must be avoided.
Don’t just believe claims on the packet like ‘low-fat’, ‘sugar-free’ or ‘high-protein’. Many products may contain added sugar, salt or fat. It’s important to control portion sizes when snacking, read nutrition labels and avoid habitual snacking even when you’re not hungry.
What snacks might be a good choice?
Fresh fruits, sprouted grains, vegetables with yogurt, a handful of nuts, roasted chickpeas, or unsweetened yogurt can be relatively balanced options. These foods give a feeling of fullness and also provide essential nutrients. However, it is important to keep the quantity of these in check.
What should be remembered for weight control?
If you want to lose or maintain weight, it’s not enough to just have healthy snacks. Total daily calories, regular physical activity, adequate sleep, and a balanced diet are all equally important. No matter how healthy a food is, it’s important to eat it in the right amounts to reap its true benefits.