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Snack Hacks: Easy Tricks To Skip The Junk And Feel Satisfied

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork)--  Things can get so busy, a lot of time you end up snacking instead of eating a real meal.

You may go for things you think will stop your stomach from grumbling, but as CBS2's Cindy Hsu reported, there are lots of sneaky snacks that look healthy, but leave you wanting more.

Registered Dietitian Willow Jarosh said even when you think you're going for healthy snacks, you may be eating the sneaky ones.

Hsu mentions she sometimes grabs for yogurt as a quick snack, but they may not always be the best choice. Jarosh said the protein is great, but the sweeteners can spike your blood sugar and leave you feeling unsatisfied.

"Often times fat-free yogurts will have the fat taken out, but sugar added instead," she said. "Go for low-fat or full fat yogurt and look for one that has 14 grams of sugar or less per 6 ounces."

Energy bars can be sneaky, too. Go for the ones with the shortest ingredients list and things you recognize like nuts, seeds and fruits.

An even better option is a snack bag of nuts, dried fruit and even some dark chocolate.

"Pretzels can also be tricky, they're often nothing but carbs," she said. "Instead of opting for those you can opt for a whole grain version and pair it with something that has protein in it, like cheese or a hard boiled egg or even some nuts."

Going for a diet soda to hold your appetite is not a great idea. A better option is sparkling water with lemon or orange, and if you go for coffee in place of a snack, a more satisfying choice would be a latte with milk or soy milk which gives you protein.

Other filling and healthy snacks include a hard boiled egg with hummus or whole grain chips with salsa and guacamole.

Experts said you should eat something every 3 to 4 hours, so make sure you pack your bag with lots of healthy snacks.

The key for satisfying snacks is the rule of two. Out of fat, protein and fiber, you want your snack to have at least two of those things to stop that grumbling stomach.

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