Disclosure: I’m proud to partner with CVS Pharmacy on this post for the CVS healthy foods line. All opinions expressed are my own, and all product claims or program details shared should be verified at CVS.com or with the appropriate manufacturers.
The kids are approaching their one-month mark since the new school year started. It’s hard to believe that the time has passed so quickly. I still feel like we’re adjusting to the new school year, but I suppose that the fact that I was traveling out of state for 2 full weeks out of the last month has made it even harder for me to get used to the new schedule.
There are a few things that have hit me even harder the last few weeks. Whether I’m on the road or sitting behind my desk all day, finding (and then choosing!) good-for-me snacks is a constant struggle. When I’m at home by myself OR on a plane with hundreds of fellow travelers, I will inevitably get hungry – or just get the munchies, which is often even worse! I realized that I need to prepare myself ahead of time so that I’m equipped to make the best decisions and stay within my healthy-eating goals.
5 Easy Smart Snacking Tips for Moms
Here are a few tips that have helped me snack smart, whether I’m at home or on the go:
Remember: it’s ok to eat snacks between meals. In fact, it can be a good thing! Snacking on the “right” foods in between meals can help curb hunger so that you don’t over-eat at meal time. Just remember not to over-do it or eat empty calories that lead to eating too much. Check labels and go for more snacks that are low on sugar and high in protein for snacks that will stick with you longer.
Drink water. I have a tumbler full of water next to my desk at all times. And if I’m on the road, then I carry a water bottle. When I fill up on water (which has a ton of additional benefits, of course!) then I am less likely to want to snack all day.
Plan ahead. This tip applies both for snacking at home and when you’re away. Stock up on healthy snacks that will give you an energy boost (ie, fresh fruits and veggies, a handful of nuts, a Larabar, or a Greek yogurt). You can only eat what you have on hand. Keep plenty of guilt-free snacks ready so that when hunger strikes, you’ve got good options. I love that CVS has a ton of healthier options at check out so that I can grab a KIND bar instead of a candy bar when I’m shopping.
Eat mindfully. Rather than keeping a bag of chips next to my desk while I work (which I know will disappear without me even realizing I’ve eaten the whole thing!) it helps me to dish out reasonable serving sizes when I want a snack. It’s so easy to mindlessly pop a candy or a chip or nut in my mouth as I work, but eating that way can get out of control really quickly. I’m all about proportions and planning and knowing what and when I’m going to eat.
Find better-for-you snacks that satisfy your sweet tooth. I’ve got a pretty strong sweet tooth, so if I don’t watch myself carefully, I could graze on candies and sweet stuff all day long. I’ve discovered that a small handful of roasted cashews satisfies my cravings for candy, but since they are salty they also satisfy my cravings for salty foods. Another favorite is frozen grapes, which taste as good and as sweet as candy!
Here are just a few ways that CVS is helping me meet my healthier snacking goals:
- Adding more healthy foods: You can find more than 250 refrigerated and non-perishable healthy foods and beverages at CVS Pharmacy stores from brands including: Amy’s Kitchen, Annie’s Homegrown, Chobani, Vita CoCo, Bai, Krave Jerky, Rhythm Superfoods, That’s it bars as well as new products from the CVS Pharmacy exclusive line, Gold Emblem abound™ which is free from artificial preservatives, flavors and colors.
- Moving healthy foods forward: Not only are CVS stores stocking a wide assortment of healthy foods (with more coming all the time), displays of healthy foods and grab-and-go snacks are being displayed more prominently, making it even more convenient to find healthy options. That includes roughly 25% of the front check out space being dedicated to better-for-you snacks like KIND bars, Larabars and Vega One bars.
- Healthy eating trend zones: It will be easy to spot foods that meet your dietary preferences including paleo, raw and vegan as more and more diet-friendly products are added and displayed clearly in the store.
- Fit Choices tagging program: CVS’s Fit Choices shelf tagging program makes finding healthier items in store so much easier by clearly identifying foods that fit nutritional and dietary preferences including: Good Source of Protein, Heart Healthy, Gluten Free, Sugar Free, Organic and Non-GMO Project Verified. It’s so helpful to scan products for my personal preferences.
Be sure to check out your local CVS Pharmacy to see the healthy snack options that are available, or visit CVS.com for ideas that will make snacking more healthy and more delicious all year long. Follow hashtags #CVS and #FindYourHealthy and @CVS_Extra (Twitter) and @CVSPharmacy (Instagram) for even more healthy eating ideas!
And don’t forget to check out my post last month about packing a healthier school lunch!
© 2016, Food Fun Family. All rights reserved.
Leave a Reply