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Thursday 22 March 2012

Fooducate Blog - United Grazers of America

United Grazers of America

Posted: 22 Mar 2012 05:23 AM PDT

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Consider these 2 factoids, from a recent USA Today article by Ellie Krieger, RD:

1) Every day, 90% of Americans eat at least one snack between meals

2) We now eat twice the daily snacks that we did just 30 years ago

Do you think this might have something to do with our obesity epidemic?

What you need to know:

Snacking is not necessarily bad for you. In fact, many people find that a mid-morning and mid-afternoon snack actually help them better deal with hunger and reach the next meal less likely to over consume.

The problem is that many snacks are empty calories – they solve a very short term hunger pang through a tempting combination of sweet / fat / salt. And since “it’s just a treat”, some people don’t realize a snack or two or three may be a significant contributor to their daily calorie count.

Clever marketing over the years has convinced us that everywhere and every time of the day is appropriate for a snack. Cup holders in the car, vending machines at the gym, coffe shops inside bookstores – you get the idea…

Many of us eat because food is practically thrown in front of us. Think of all the cakes, donuts, and candies you are exposed to at work because a co-worker is celebrating something and brought goodies for the team.

It takes strong willpower not to succumb to such temptations.

How do you deal with snacking?

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