Pick the right snack for weight loss

From almonds to yoghurt — here’s how you can snack healthy to curb those mid-meal hunger pangs through the day, without piling on the calories

Do you ever just look into the mirror and the only thing you can see is that bulging belly? Or when you go out shopping and try on the usual size of jeans and realise they don’t fit anymore? It’s time to keep weight gain in check and decode what might be leading to it. Most often than not, the food we take — the quantity and the calorie count — are to blame.

Experts say that one way of keeping weight gain at bay is by snacking at regular intervals, rather than having heavy meals. “Snacking can increase your metabolic rate and stimulate your body to burn more fat. But snacking does not have to mean high-fat, high-calorie foods that are fried. There are several healthy and tasty options possible,” says nutrionist Kavita Devgan. She also advises to keep the portion sizes in check to keep things under control. “Learn to differentiate between feasting and snacking. A big burger with fries is not a snack — it’s a meal. Snacks are meant to be small, but satisfying portions,” she adds.

A thumb of rule while snacking? “Always snack to satisfy hunger, not boredom,” she says. Foods like dry fruits, low-fat yoghurt and coconut water are excellent to eat between meals,” she suggests.

Experts also add that what you don’t eat is more important than what you do eat. One must know what to avoid while snacking. “It is very important to list the snacks we want to consume. Almonds, youghurt, fruit chaat are among the snacks that one should have,” says clinical nutritionist Lovneet Batra.

If you think that skipping meals might be the answer to your weight woes, you need to think again. “One must not skip meals. Skipping meals leads to increased hunger, and to satiate that, one would end up binge snacking, which will not help in the weight loss

SNACKING DOES NOT MEAN EATING HIGH-FAT AND HIGH-CALORIE FOODS THAT ARE FRIED OR ARE EASY TO MAKE OR BUY

process,” says Batra, adding, “Also, if you plan to stay awake at night after dinner, you must plan the kind of snack that you want to eat, else you might end up eating food with too much calorie count.”

PHOTOS: ISTOCK