Making snack time work for you

Healthy snacking requires planning. Here are some tips to snack sensibly:

• Keep your house stocked with fresh fruits and vegetables. Buy a variety so that you don't get bored with your selection.
• Keep a supply of frozen or canned fruits at home and work for backup.
• Don't keep conventional snacks, such as candy or chips, in the house.
• Have a small amount of mixed nuts when hungry, which will go a long way toward decreasing hunger sensations.
• Experiment with herbs or spices to make fruits and vegetables more interesting.
• Prepare snacks in the evening for the next day. For example, before bedtime slice up a red pepper, wash an apple or count out a snack-size serving of grapes. Put the snack in a container so that it's ready to go in the morning.

Planning ahead by having healthy choices on hand can help make your weight-loss or weight-maintenance plan a success.