September Snack Ideas

Don't defeat the purpose of going to the gym by having a poor diet. Follow these nutrition tips and snack ideas to help stay in shape.

Think outside the box.
Avoid boxed foods and go for the fresh stuff.

Eat breakfast.
There's a reason for it being the most important meal of the day. Eating breakfast speeds up your metabolism. Oatmeal, egg whites, and smoothies are great suggestions. Even if you're in a rush, grab a piece of fruit to have something in your stomach. This will make you less likely to overeat at lunchtime and also give you the energy you need to get through your work day.

For more nutrition tips, check out the article "10 Tips for Easy Weight Loss," written by Gloria Tsang, Registered Dietitian and founder of the largest nutrition network, www.HealthCastle.com.

Snack Ideas
Here are some healthy snack suggestions. The best part? Each snack is under 200 calories.

• 1 sugar-free Eskimo Pie bar

• 1/2 English muffin with 1 Tbsp tomato sauce and 1 oz low-fat mozzarella cheese

• 6 gingersnaps or vanilla wafers

• 6 cups reduced-fat microwave popcorn sprinkled with 2 Tbsp grated Parmesan cheese, cajun seasoning, or spray margarine

• 30 frozen grapes

• 5 graham crackers with 1 Tbsp jam

• 2 slices whole wheat toast with cinnamon and sugar, 1 Tsp lite whipped butter

• Fruit Smoothie: Blend 8 oz skim milk or non-fat yogurt with 1/4 cup strawberries, 1/2 banana, 4 ice cubes, and 1-2 Tsp sugar or Equal (as needed)

• 3 stalks of celery with 1/4 cup hummus

• 1 small baked potato with chives, lite sour cream, salsa, and/or spray margarine