Are you finding it difficult to choose something healthy to eat to keep you going until your next meal?

If you are trying to lose weight, or just trying to eat healthily, there is no reason that you have cut out eating between meals. Having a planned snack mid-morning and mid-afternoon can help to keep your energy levels up, and help to stop you getting over-hungry before your next meal – which can then cause you to opt for a quick sugary or fatty snack such as a chocolate bar or crisps, or to overeat at your meal.

Sweet snacks

• A handful of fresh fruit
• A small tin of fruit in juice
• A small handful of dried fruit such as raisins, apple rings, or apricots
• One diet or low-fat yoghurt or fromage frais with fruit
• A small bowl of breakfast cereal with hot or cold semi-skimmed milk
• A homemade fruit smoothie made with low-fat milk or yogurt and frozen or fresh fruit 

• A small handful of nuts (remember that whole nuts are not ok for under 5s – due to the risk of choking)
• A small handful of seeds
• A handful of fresh, raw vegetables – try baby carrots, pepper, cucumber, carrot sticks, cherry tomatoes, or a bowl of salad
• A small bowl of cooked vegetables - vegetable kebabs, corn on the cob, steamed broccoli or green beans
• A rice cake, wholegrain cracker, or slice of whole grain bread served with low-fat cheese, fruit spread or nut butter
• A handful of pretzels
• A handful of air-popped popcorn (homemade or not sugar coated)
  
• A handful of bread sticks with low-fat cheese
• A small sandwich or pitta bread filled with cottage cheese, chicken or lean ham
• Beans on toast
• A scone with a scraping of spread
• A slice of malt loaf with a scraping of spread
• One currant bun without any icing
  
• A cup of soup