Snacks and Scraps: Healthy Munchies to Enjoy While You’re Creating
Hi Happy Scrappers!
Polly Liana here, with some tips for smart scrap snacking (say THAT five times fast!). If you’re anything like me, it’s nice to have something to nibble while you’re creating. Problem is, if you’ve got the wrong food at your fingertips, you’re liable to finish off a bag full of potato chips faster that you can finish a speed scrap! You may have encountered that guilty feeling of realizing that you’ve just polished off a huge amount of unhealthy snacks while scrapping, because you’re thinking more about what you’re creating than what you’re eating. Here are my four tips for making better choices about snack foods while scrapping:
1. Make it Healthy
This is kind of a no-brainer. If you reach for carrot or celery sticks or slices of cucumber, you satisfy the need for chewing on something but you’re putting healthy vitamins and minimal calories into your body. You can eat a whole bunch of them and still feel good after you’re done. Another healthy snack I like is dried seaweed.
It’s a bit salty and crunchy but if you eat each thin slice one at a time it will take you a long time to finish the whole container. I love to eat it because it takes a long time to separate each slice. Which brings us to my next piece of advice:
2. Make it Tricky
You can’t argue with this: if it takes you a long time to get at your food, naturally you will eat less of it. Take popcorn vs. edamame (soybeans): you can eat a whole bowl of popcorn in a matter of minutes… it’s very easily accessible. Edamame on the other hand, takes some work. I have to concentrate a bit on what I’m doing when I’m popping those little suckers out of their pods and even when I’m finally done, the pieces are still quite small. A nice segue to the next tip:
3. Make it Tiny
Tiny pieces, especially if eaten one-by-one, will amount to a lot less overall food consumption that large pieces. Sunflower seeds are great because you can eat them for a while and only eat about a tablespoon’s amount when all is said and done. Another favorite of mine are chocolate nibs:
They’re really tiny pieces of raw cacao, surrounded by a light coating of dark chocolate. And they’re only one calorie a piece! They satisfy my chocolate craving, without the guilt of consuming too much. My last piece of advice for consuming fewer snacks while scrapping is:
4. Make it Spicy
Now, this tip is ineffective for those of you who love spicy foods. My husband could plow through a plateful of buffalo wings in one minute flat so this wouldn’t work for him. But for me, something spicy has to be eaten slowly. Take these Thai-Lime rubbed cashews:
I can grab a small handful of these while I’m scrapping and eat them very slowly so I’m not overwhelmed by the spice. They’re tasty but I have to eat them slowly to enjoy them. Bingo!
Here are some other general tips:
* Check out the nutritional information on your snacks and, most importantly, the serving size. You may be surprised that something that looks low in fat or calories is because the serving is only two or three pieces.
* Do not eat directly out of the original container– I guarantee you will eat more than you think you’re eating. Choose a very small bowl or plate (the smaller size will trick your brain into seeing more food) and dole out one serving’s worth.
* Try to stock your fridge and cabinets with healthy options (and remember: “low fat” is not necessarily a healthy label).
*Lastly, one of the best tips I have is to drink a big glass of water before you reach for any snacks. You may be experiencing signs of thirst, instead of hunger.
What are your favorite snacks to eat while you scrap? Add them to the comments below!
Enjoy the rest of your week and keep an eye out for all our fab new products premiering tonight at the Pad!
