How big are your snacks?

When you get home from a long day do you snack whilst you get sort out the house, get dinner, do laundry and anything else that can't wait until your next day off? When you snack like this do you choose a small bowl of yoghurt or is it more likely to be several biscuits, some chocolate, a chunk of cheese or just what ever comes to hand easily?

When we are tired our brains demand glucose, which can be found in sugars such as table sugar. We also want comfort food which means high saturated fat added to sugar. This is why we are more likely to want hot toast with butter and jam or a slice of cake than a bowl of natural yoghurt or an apple.

There is often much to be done once we get home but we need to charge our batteries before we can start again with some renewed strength.

Whilst it may appear that there is no time to spare; we must dive straight into the household tasks, most of the time we could take 10 - 15 minutes to sit down with a cup of tea or a glass of sparkling mineral water and a snack that offers some energy for the next part of our day. This will help you to recharge your batteries, supply your brain the energy it requires and to relax a little.

A snack that contains some protein will help you with sustained energy until dinner time and some carbohydrates supply some sugar for your brain. You could try:

• cheese and crackers and/or an apple/pear/peach
• natural yoghurt with Cinnamon and/or a teaspoon of honey/maple syrup
• 1 slice of toast with a slice of ham and tomato
• 1 slice of toast with nut spread
• a banana and some nuts (non-salted)

 It is what we do 80% of the time that makes the difference, so if you change to a short break with a more sustaining snack during the week you can enjoy a slice of cake or crumpet dripping with melted butter and honey on the weekend.

Enjoy being slender
love
Sarah