Be smart when snacking on the road

best snacks

Eating small, nutritious snacks throughout the day helps keep your blood sugar levels steady and your hunger at bay. But not all snacks are created equal, and you can add on the pounds by choosing snacks loaded with fat, calories and sugar.

Your best protection against impulse snacking is to pack your snacks before you go on the road. Read food labels, and be on the alert for snacks advertised as “healthy” that are instead full of sugar, sodium and calories.

Good snack choices include:

• A palm-size amount of unsalted almonds, sunflower seeds or walnuts

• Apples

• Carrots/celery sticks

• Zucchini circles

• Broccoli spears and cauliflower

• Unsalted rice cakes

• Popcorn (plain/no salt)

Thirst quenchers:

• Water (flavor with fresh fruit or cucumber slices)

• Fat-free milk

• Unsweetened fruit juice

• Low-sodium tomato/vegetable juice

Satisfying snacks:

• Low-fat or fat-free cheese (string or cubes)

• Plain, low-fat/fat-free yogurt

• Plain bagel

Sweet tooth:

• Unsweetened canned fruit

• Raisins

• Fresh or dried fruit

(Source: American Heart Association)