Eating snacks can help you be leaner part 2

I always carry with me snacks (of the good variety) wherever I go that are ready to eat. Good snacks that give you "nutrition punch" and take care of that hungry feeling are:

. Fresh or frozen fruits with fat free yogurt or low fat cottage cheese
. Vegetables with hummus or low fat cheese such as “Laughing Cow”
. Edamame
. Fruit yogurt with sliced almonds
. Handful of almonds, hazelnuts, soy nuts or macadamias
. High fiber dry cereal with almonds and dried cranberries
. Sunflower seeds

The Biggest Loser Club eating options include: morning snack (strawberries and pecans), mid-afternoon snack (carrots and an oatmeal cookie), evening snack (fat-free pudding and raisins) - visit http://www.thedietchannel.com/biggest-loser-club-diet.

You can also make your own snacks in bulk every couple of weeks and freeze them: try homemade protein bars* (see recipe below).

PORTION SIZE YOUR SNACK
Don’t just reach into a large container for your snack; pack them into small zip-top bags or containers so that you are in control of how much you eat.

PLAN YOUR SNACKS
It’s hard to choose a healthy snack at the last moment. Remember to always plan your snacks and eat them BEFORE you feel hungry (mid-morning and mid-afternoon).


*Berry bars
Makes 16 bars
- 3 cups of fresh or frozen and thawed raspberries, blueberries or a mix of both.
- 1 cup large flake oats
- 1 cup of high-fiber cereal
- ½ cup ground flax seed
- ¼ cup wheat germ
- ¼ cup whole wheat flour
- ¼ cup sesame seeds
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 2 egg whites
- ¼ cup concentrate apple juice
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1. preheat the oven to 350f. Grease an 8 inch square baking pan and set aside
2. combine the berries, oats, cereal, flaxseeds, wheat germ, flour, sesame seeds, and cinnamon in a large bowl.
3. whisk together the egg whites, apple juice concentrate and vanilla in a medium bowl. Add to the dry mixture, stirring thoroughly moisten.
4. Press the mixture into the baking pan and bake for 35-40 minutes or until lightly golden and firm. Let it cool in the pan completely and then cut into bars.


If you are struggling with a few extra pounds or more - you can get back on tract with healthy eating and exercise. Here is a picture of the biggest looser contestants showing how they look today. Email me at info@gaiaadventures.com. I would love to hear your story.

Catherine D'Aoust at GAIA Adventures
http://www.gaiaadventures.com
Kinesiologist, Personal Trainer and Adventure Guide
An invitation to love your life