Let’s face it – people eat in-between meals. It’s called snacking, and it’s probably the main reason you don’t hit your fitness goals or hate the image staring back at you from the mirror. Of course, when hunger calls, you’ve got to stand to attention and respond. What are the other options? Not eating? Blasphemy!

The first essential to understand about snacking is that it can be an incredible way to boost your energy levels and mood when used correctly. All you need to do now is figure out how to consume snacks correctly.

These four tips will help.

They Should Be Small

It’s one thing indulging in junk food that you know isn’t healthy, and it’s another to go overboard and add fries and shake! Essentially, snacks are light bites that are ideal for satiating your stomach when it begins to growl. As such, it’s vital to keep them to no more than two hundred calories per portion. Otherwise, you’ll have a calorie intake imbalance, and that’s when you start to put on weight. The good news is that two-hundred is a lot of kcals. Web MD has a list of top snacks that are under one-hundred calories, so check them out for more info.

Snacks Are Necessary

Yes, they are necessary, yet only in certain circumstances. The best way to look at it is to eat when you’re hungry. The pangs in your belly are a result of your body telling you that it’s time to refuel, so don’t be afraid to follow the instruction. Of course, the snack should be a light bite and shouldn’t be calorific. If possible, you can attempt to wait; however, be aware that this can cause you to overeat when you reach lunch or dinner time. Overeating is just as unhealthy, so you’re better off having a snack.

It’s Better If They’re Portable

Imagine investing time and energy into eating better and snacking healthier. Then, you’re out and about, busy and on-the-go, and you’re hungry. You check your bag and pockets and they’re empty. What do you do? Mostly, people use this as an excuse to cheat and indulge. Part of the reasons why Youtopia Snacks are popular is that they are portable and accessible. By packing them, you can maintain your attitude to snacks regardless of your workload or daily schedule. Also, you want something that won’t perish quickly. A piece of fruit sounds like a good idea until you pull it out and it’s brown!

Drinks Aren’t Snacks

There are lots of fluid “diets” flying around, and some of them could appeal to you. The smoothie cleanse is a prime example as smoothies are tasty and packed with healthy ingredients. Yet, you won’t last long before the novelty wears thin. The reason is simple – drinking isn’t snacking. Fluids add to your kcal intake, but you don’t receive the same mental and physical benefits. All you end up doing is jumping on a fad bandwagon.

As a rule, you want to eat if you’re hungry. It’s that simple!