Surprise, surprise: snacks and
desserts can be good for you!
They can provide needed nutrients, and they
definitely make life more pleasurable. In between meals, snacks satisfy
growling stomachs and help keep our sugar level steady. They’re even good for
bonding moments with family and friends. The key, as always, is making smart
choices.
First of all, moderation, variety, and
balance are just as important for
snacks and desserts as for main dishes. Incorporate items from different food
groups (vitamin- and mineral-laden vegetables and fruits; protein-rich meats
and dairy; carbohydrate-rich sweets, grains, and starchy foods such as pasta)
and consider snacks and desserts part of your overall nutrition plan.
If it seems too agonizing to ban
your favorite high-fat, high-sugar, or high-sodium foods, cut down on them and
alternate with healthier items.
For example, merienda need not be soft drinks and chips all the time.
Try these instead:
- Milk or juice and oatmeal cookies
- Fruit, or veggie sticks with a
low-fat dip for more minerals, vitamins, and fiber.
- Another good option is yogurt—cool,
creamy, and a source of calcium and probiotics, which help maintain healthy
bones and an efficient digestive system. NESTLÉ Fruit Selection Yogurt has six
fruit-based variants, thereby also supplying nutrients from fruits.
By mixing options, snack time will
also become an exciting adventure in tastes and textures.
References:
Duyff, Roberta Larson. 2002. American Dietetic Association
Complete Food and Nutrition Guide.
2nd ed. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley and Sons.
Williams, Melvin H. 2005. Nutrition for Health, Fitness, and
Sport. 7th ed. Boston, MA: McGraw-Hill
Higher Education.
Source:
http://ww1.nestle.com.ph/wellness/wellnesssite/articles.aspx?id=14
