Snacking

Course overview

It is safe to say that everyone in our society partakes in a snack from time to time. Whether it is a midmorning, mid afternoon, or late evening snack, we all have the occasional urge to munch on a tasty, crunchy, salty or sweet confection. If these opportunities are used to eat nutritional and healthy foods that increase one's intake of essential vitamins and minerals, then snacking is no longer a potentially detrimental potato chip binge and instead becomes part of a healthy diet. Though even if eaten in moderation, chips and candy are not altogether unhealthy. In the United States, the snack food industry is a multi billion dollar a year business; in 1998 Americans spent over 72 billion dollars on snack foods. Snacking trends show that salty and crunchy foods are most preferred, followed by baked goods, dairy products, and fruit. There is generally no difference between the snacking habits of men and women, though men generally choose higher fat foods. As a whole, very few people adhere to the USDA's dietary recommendations of fruits, vegetables, and vitamins and minerals such as calcium. Healthy snack choices of fruits, like oranges, and dairy products, like yogurt, can increase the intake of vitamin C and calcium. Different factors affect snack food choice, including education, gender, age, availability, familiarity, mood, and frequently important factor of cost. Studies have shown that if healthy food is discounted in price it will be bought and consumed in greater quantities that more expensive unhealthy food options. The phenomenon of low-fat and fat-free foods is also discussed, and how they are often very high in calories and sugar. It is important for people to know the many possible health benefits of snacking, which are presented and discussed in this home study. Healthy snacks can provide essential nutrients and be good sources of fiber, and snacking may not necessarily spoil appetites. Instead of increasing weight gain, snacking can benefit weight control as it promotes the steady burning of calories, and can increase metabolism. Snacking is very beneficial to those with small appetites, such as children and the elderly. Guidelines and advice on healthful snacking is provided, as well as discussion on how more frequent smaller meals can be beneficial, eating 4-6 small meals instead of 3 large meals.