(CNN) - Everybody knows that proper nutrition is a key part of good health.
But when energy lags and you need a snack to keep going, it can be tempting to reach for something sugary instead of something good for you.
Because there’s so much temptation, snacking has a bad image for some. But it doesn’t have to be that way.
A healthy snack can provide energy in the middle of the day and keep you from overeating at meal time.
So try these healthy snack hacks.
First and foremost – avoid the junk food. If you have to keep sugary snacks in your home, put them where they’re hard to see or reach.
Don’t spend money on pre-packaged snacks.
Buy healthful choices in bulk and divide out the portions yourself at home.
This will keep you from eating too much at one time.
Give your veggies a kick with healthy dips or spreads – like humus or tzatziki.
Try to vary your vegetables to include green, red and orange options.
Bring your ready-to-eat snacks so you have power over you’re your snack choices.
Stock up on whole fruits like bananas, apples and oranges – they’re easy to throw in a bag and provide natural sugars rather than the processed kind.
And give yourself a nutrient blast by combining food groups – yogurt and berries, apples and peanut butter, or whole grain crackers with turkey and avocado.
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