Snacks: When They're Good, And Bad, For Your Diet

You got the kids ready in the morning, got them to school on time, then headed out to work. You even managed to find time for a healthy breakfast. But by the time lunch rolls around, four to five hours may have passed. Unfortunately, grabbing a quick snack between breakfast and lunch may hurt your attempts at weight loss.

That's according to researchers with the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, whose study was published recently in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association. According to the researchers, things like when you eat, the frequency of when you eat and even snack quality can have an impact on weight loss.

Don't Snack Too Close To A Meal
The 12-month long study showed that women dieters who had a healthy breakfast in the morning lost an average of 11% of their weight when they turned down a mid-morning snack. That compares to 7% for women who ate a snack between breakfast and lunch. According to the study, a snack is considered any food or drink consumed between meals.
And according to researchers, the time of the day you eat a snack is less important than the stretch between breakfast and lunch. Remember telling your kids that they will spoil their dinner if they eat a snack beforehand? The same holds true for adults. Eat a snack too close to a meal, and you'll struggle with your weight loss plan. But waiting too long between meals isn't good for you, either.

You'll Spoil Your Dinner - And Spoil Your Weight Loss Plan
The key, researchers said, is to eat a snack for what they call "true hunger." Dieters should determine whether they go through long stretches between meals, like anything longer than five hours. A small, healthy snack between long intervals could actually help people deal with hunger while also ensuring they make a good choice for their next meal.
The study's other findings include:

* Women who eat at least two snacks a day typically consume more fiber than those who don't;
* Women who eat an afternoon snack typically consume a higher daily dose of fruit and vegetables compared to those who do not snack between lunch and dinner.

Almost Everyone Snacks
Studies show that 97% of American adults snack, and that's true among all age groups. The most common types of snacks include salty and crunchy snacks (like pretzels, chips and nuts), baked goods (such as cookies), fruits and ice cream. But foods with empty-calorie items (think fat, salt and sugary beverages) have virtually no nutritional value.

The bottom line? According to the study, healthy snacks can help with weight loss plans - provided that they're not consumed too close to a meal.

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