Snack mistakes that add up

Snack Mistakes That Add Up

About 50 percent of daily calories in the average American diet come from snacks and drinks. That means that even if you eat a healthy breakfast, lunch, and dinner, what you grab in between can majorly sabotage your diet. Lucky for you, Sean Kelly is here to help. As the founder of HUMAN (Helping Unite Mankind And Nutrition), Sean has made it his mission to help people snack smarter. HUMAN uses healthy vending machines, micro markets, and direct delivery services to bring convenient, healthy foods and drinks to people across the nation. Translation: if there’s a good-for-you snack out there, Sean’s tried it. 

He’s armed with tips to turn snack sins around, boost your energy, and help you shed pounds. Ready to get serious about snacking? Here’s what you need to know:

1. Grabbing a piece of fruit? Great! Now add a fat. A fructose-heavy banana, though all-natural and tasty, will leave you hungry again within an hour. Add a healthy fat like almond butter or chia seeds to build a snack that will quell hunger until your next meal.

2. Think of a snack bar as a meal replacement. If you pick a bar high in sugar, you’re headed towards a massive energy crash. A better bar (think high protein, low sugar, and familiar ingredients) can boost you through a long day.  Sean looks for a bar with less than 10 grams of sugar, like most Think Thin and Quest options.

3. When it comes to beverages, focus on low sugar and low sodium. Reaching for juices and smoothies isn’t always a wise choice—especially when it’s not replacing a meal. Unsweetened coffee, tea, and flavored water are your best bets.

4. Need something in your coffee? If you haven’t already, give unsweetened alternative milks a try. Cow’s milk has around 13 grams of sugar per cup—more than your average energy bar. Switch to a nut milk for the same creamy taste, minus the sugar.

Find more tips and tricks, plus Sean’s go-to healthy snacks, in the video above.