Written by Kimberly Ellul Bellia
Snacking is a significant component of the fast-paced lifestyle led by teenagers and young adults, as it provides them with an extra kick of energy, alertness, and motivation. Lectures, homework, extra-curricular activities, and after-school part-time jobs, often leave limited time for preparing healthy snacks. Therefore, such often opt for the cheaper and more accessible unhealthy snacks.
Contrary to common belief, a hectic schedule is not mutually exclusive to the consumption of healthy snacks.
Why is snacking so important for teenagers?
Adolescents often express a strong and persistent appetite. During this period of growth and maturation the body needs the right balance of nutrients to develop into a healthy adult, therefore this appetite is understandable. Healthy snacks, in adjunct to healthy and adequately portioned meals are an excellent way to satisfy this hunger, in addition to ensuring that all of the right nutrients the growing body needs are consumed.
How will I know if the snack is healthy or not?
Opting for a healthier snack requires making smarter choices. Although a product is labelled “Organic” or “100% natural”, it does not necessarily mean that it is healthy.
Snacking on chocolate provides an intense short-lived energy boost, proceeded by an insulin mediated response where there is a sudden drop in energy levels. Alternatively, sugar free peanut butter based granola bars could provide a high protein and slow release carbohydrate snack, benefiting the development of the teenager and maintaining energy levels, respectively.
Juices with no added sugar often still have a high amount of natural sugar, contributing to a high calorific value. Further, products such as low fat flavoured yogurts generally have a high sugar content and hence a similar calorific value to that of its high fat content counterpart. The high sugar content provides a sweet taste which compensates for the low fat content. Such knowledge can contribute to making smarter choices when snacking.
Smart Snacking Strategies
- Prepare snacks in advance.
- Stock up your car, bag, and desk drawer with healthy snacks.
- Keep it interesting! Vary colour, flavours, and textures.
- Compromise with cravings by substituting ingredients in unhealthy snacks for healthier ones.
- Follow MHSA’s Nutritional Label (below) to determine whether a snacks’ macro and micronutrients are adequate.
