Snack attack! Rethink your munchies

By Wendell Fowler

---

Munchies don’t talk back or say no. They instantly make you feel good. If you’ve ever speculated that your favorite snacks are nibbling at the crispy edges of your family health, you’re not alone. How often this week did you eat on the run? Hectic days are spent running countless errands for the kids, hunting and foraging or plugged into our work station or home computer while chowing whatever is handy, or via industrial manipulation, what you’re hard-wired to crave. The quandary: Do your tasty sources of instant gratification convert to useful energy and health supportive sustenance? [ad#single-post] It’s simple to cheat with low-grade fuels continuously oozing from vending machines skulking every few steps — convenience stores with hot, rotating weenies or greasy, fast-food “macho” burgers lying in wait, eagerly ambushing your birthright of a healthy, quality life. To dodge disease, examine your assumptions regarding snacks. With every decision, are you squandering family health? One way or another, everything we place into our Holy Temple affects our bodily functions. As sure as I’m never wearing Speedos, you’ll in no way find wholesome foods at a convenience store. In their defense, I’ve observed speckled bananas, wrinkled oranges and bruised apples at the some checkouts, however it depends on the local culture. People would rather swallow than chew. Plan out your snacks just like you would a meal. When the munchies attack, Sandi and I head to the local grocery, walk past the prepared hot food entrees and boogie to the produce section, where we grab fresh seasonal fruit and seasonal vegetables. Beware. Many “fresh” pre-cut fruits and vegetables contain MSG, which can trigger a variety of not-so-pleasant cardiac, respiratory or neurological reactions. Naturally, fresh is best. Keep a paring knife with you in the car or at your desk. Then we visit the deli for humus, guacamole or salsa, then grab whole wheat pita bread. Check labels for added sugars, colorings and preservatives. Fresh and pure is best. Before work, cut up celery, carrots, radishes or broccoli; pack hard boiled eggs and tuna (sans mayo) with fresh squeezed lemon juice in mini-containers, whole wheat bagels or crackers, leftover chicken or turkey slices, a fruit smoothie in a Thermos, bagged grapes or frozen mixed berries in zip-locks. Sandi and I often nibble from a box of Kashi Go-Lean cereal to subdue our natural craving for sweets. We’ll grab a bag of dried fruit or ginger, bulk granola, soy cheese or whole almonds or walnuts and keep them within arm’s reach at work, home or in the car. Some granolas and nuts have added fats. “All natural” (wink, wink) juice drinks and sodas as well as some energy drinks can be filled with sugar. Find it in yourself to walk past the potato chip, gooey thingies, cookies and fried bits. Groceries now carry healthful versions of snacks. You’ll instantly notice increased energy and mental clarity. Science supports that eating junky, processed foods makes us stupid, which thoroughly explains the first half of my life. My favorites are raw veggies spritzed with virgin olive oil and rice wine vinegar, a hand full of raw almonds or walnuts, soy cheese, hummus, grain crackers, apples with peanut butter and iced green tea sweetened with Sweet Leaf brand stevia. Food becomes part of you. Please avoid compromising your health with friendly nibbles; stick to nourishing groceries. If you have a weakness for junk, like everyone else you know, don’t purchase them next time you forage. Then you won’t brawl with the temptations when the munchies attack. You can do it! Food enhances the immune system and maintains every single mental and physical function within our internal ecology. With H1N1 looming this fall and winter, it’s time to tune up your health with high-grade snacky-poo alternatives. In short time you’ll gain confidence as you note there’s more variety at the grocery than what you’re seeing.

Leave a Reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.