Does hunger pop up unexpectedly between meals, leading you to snack on anything that’s available?
The findings of a recent survey by Harris Decima, showed that more than 75% of survey respondents say they snack at least once a day and more than half say they snack at least twice daily, but most would like to be smarter about it.
The majority of survey respondents said they would like to include leaner, healthier meats in their diets and snacks that leave them feeling fuller longer.
When given a choice, 85% of snackers said they prefer something that leaves them more satisfied. That’s where complete protein foods come in. Complete proteins or whole proteins are foods that contain all nine essential amino acids that we can’t make in our bodies. We need to get them from foods such as milk, meat, eggs and poultry. Eating proteincontaining foods can help with appetite.
The survey also found that:
• 72% of respondents were aware that protein is a good source of energy, however only 58% knew protein helped with weight control by making you feel fuller longer.
• 45% of respondents said that most of the snacks they are currently eating aren’t very healthy.
• 53% said that hunger drives them to snack and for 49% of respondents said taste is the most important factor in snack selection.
Choosing foods like nuts, grains and legumes with higher amounts of protein will help you feel fuller longer so you don’t reach for a second snack quite so soon.
