Snack time with Bethenny Frankel
Credit: Arthur Cohen
Bethenny Frankel wants us to “snack out of it” and stay healthy in 2013. That’s why she teamed up with California Almonds for a “Snack Talkin” campaign to share her tips to snacking the right way.
Why snack?
Don’t grab for the bag of chips just because you’re bored. Snacking should always have a purpose, Frankel says.
“Snacking shouldn’t be something you do out of habit, for the sake of doing it, or because some diet told you,” she says. “You will learn to know your body and whether you need to snack or not.”
Size matters
“Eating anything out of a large portioned bag, box or container is an invitation to overdo it,” she says.
A snack should have a limited number of calories. Frankel says 200 calories is ideal.
“A handful of almonds, a piece of cheese, turkey or some almond butter on a cracker can curb your appetite for few calories. It depends upon what you need,” she says.
Plan your snacks
“You should always have snacks accessible,” the TV star, author and entrepreneur says. “Baggies of nuts, soybeans, hummus and wheat pretzels or dark chocolate with almonds are great snacks.”
When craving something unhealthy like potato chips, Frankel suggests going for baked, air popped or whole grain and to choose portion-controlled bags.
But I just want a piece of chocolate!
It’s OK to indulge every once and a while, Frankel stresses.
“I eat chocolate whether in ice cream or cookie or dark chocolate form,” she says. “No one ever got fat on a small indulgence and I believe in allowing rather than depriving.”
Keep things interesting
Variety is key in snacking.
“From sweet to salty to zesty to spicy, switch it up,” Frankel says. “Even pizza would bore you if you had it everyday.”
Follow Mary Ann Georgantopoulos on Twitter @marygeorgant
