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Snack smarter: Tips from a nutritionist on what to look for (and avoid!) in the snack aisle
These days, it’s no easy task searching the grocery aisle for a great snack that’s cheap, tastes good, and is relatively healthy. It seems the easier choice to just avoid snacking altogether (or head straight for the tim tams) rather than go to the trouble of ticking all those boxes.
Good thing that nutritionist Lyndi Cohen is here to bust common snacking myths and misconceptions so that Aussies won’t have to avoid the snack aisle anymore!
Nutritionist Lyndi Cohen shares helpful tips so Aussies won’t have to avoid the snack aisle. Credit: Healthy Food
‘A lot of Australians think that it's almost too complicated of a shopping experience to go into the snack aisle,’ Cohen shared. ‘There are so many different product claims or weird marketing buzzwords, and there is loads of misinformation.’
The health benefit claims of different snacks can be misleading and Lyndi cautions that what you see isn’t necessarily what you’ll get. ‘We see the words “natural” and we assume that means the product is going to be better for us.’
‘Or we're trying to find those simple ingredients lists, but they're hard to find. And I feel like we're not entirely sure what we should be looking for because there are so many competing ideas.’
Cohen suggests that when selecting a snack, the best way to go is balance. ‘There are a few things we want to try and balance,’ she says. ‘We're looking for something that hopefully is going to be beneficial for us, but at the same time, it is really important that we actually enjoy it and that it tastes good. So that satisfaction factor really, really matters.’
Natural doesn’t always mean it’s better for us, according to Lyndi Cohen. Credit: Pexels
Here are some takeaways from Lyndi Cohen on what to reach for in the snack department:
- Go for a combination of fresh and ready-to-go options for convenience. Examples would be fresh fruit, nuts, and yoghurt which are her ‘go-to fresh options’.
- If you want something sweet, you can go for snacks like dried dates or figs.
- If you’re in the mood for something crunchy and tasty, options like chip brand ‘Simply’ offer choices with no artificial flavors or added coloring.
- Don’t be afraid to try something new so you don’t get stuck in a food rut buying the same things all the time.
- Stop feeling guilty. It’s great to have different types of food in your diet, including the ones that satisfy you, as long as it’s in moderation.
Like Lyndi says, it’s all about balance, and to give you an easier time navigating around the snack aisle, here are 4 tips to make educated choices on what goes in your cart (and body):
- Be mindful of health claims on the packaging. Instead, look for positive nutrients in the ingredients list such as fibre, protein, and whole grains.
- Go for products that have an easy-to-understand ingredients list. If you don’t understand what’s written down as ingredients, then you probably shouldn’t get the product. Also, the longer the list, the higher the chances are of added sweeteners, preservatives, and colorings.
- Watch out for flavourings, because they include more additives than their plain counterparts. So if you feel your sweet tooth kicking in, something simple like dark chocolate might be the best way to go!
- Use the health star rating which is a simpler and easier way to help consumers sidestep deceiving health claims.
And, as always members, we recommend chatting with a medical professional about what snacks might be right for you, especially if you have any health complications like diabetes or IBS.
How do you feel about Lyndi Cohen’s advice on healthy snacking? What are some snacks that satisfy you? Let us know in the comment section!