<h3>Question</h3>
<p>
Hello Victoria,<br />
I'm always snacking because with three children under 5, I'm never find myself sitting down long enough to have a real meal. Is there anything I can do to make &quot;snacking&quot; work in my favor?<br />
&mdash; Debbie, Port Washington, New York 
</p>
<h3>Answer</h3>
<p>
Keri Glassman, mom of two, president of <a href="http://www.kkgbodyfuel.com/">KKG Body Fuel, Inc</a> and author of <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0307351475/islandtravela-20">The Snack Factor Diet</a></i> graciously answers this question - 
</p>
<div>
<p>
ABSOLUTELY!
</p>
<p>
Snacking can not only work in your favor but it is essential for
keeping your metabolism up and energy high. Also, snacking has been shown to
help lower bad cholesterol and keep your mood&nbsp;&quot;happy&quot;&nbsp;and
your mental acuity in tact. What could be better? But, Doritos and Teddy
Grahams are not going to do this... You need to make smart snack decisions.
</p>
<p>
Think of snacks as mini meals. Snacks do not have to be chips or
cookies. A couple slices of turkey is an excellent snack! So, if you are a
&quot;snacker&quot; and have been snacking on a bite of a muffin, then some
chips, then maybe a piece of fruit... TRY, starting the day off with a good
breakfast that provides fiber and protein. This will help give your body a good
foundation for the day.
</p>
<p>
Then, make your snacks mini meals by thinking about eating
&quot;real&quot; food in snack size. For example, 2 fiber crackers with reduced
fat cheddar cheese and honey mustard, non fat plain yogurt with 10 almonds, one
cup of edamame, a whole wheat wrap spread with almond or peanut butter and
rolled up, carrots dipped in hummus, apple and peanut butter or pear with Lite
Laughing Cow garlic and herb cheese.
</p>
<p>
Try to get fiber, protein and/or healthy fat at your snack. This
will ensure adequate proportion of nutrients and help stabilize your blood
sugar. Make a snack shopping list and keep these foods around all the time so
you can always whip up a healthy snack for home or on the go.
</p>
<div class="ask_author">
<h3>About Keri Glassman:</h3>
<p>
<img src="images/stories/ask_savvy_mommy/keri_glassman.jpg" class="left" alt="Keri Glassman" title="Keri Glassman" height="150" width="100" /> 
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0307351475/islandtravela-20" target="_blank"><img src="images/stories/ask_savvy_mommy/snackfactor.gif" class="right" alt="The Snack Factor Diet" title="The Snack Factor Diet" height="151" width="100" /></a> Keri Glassman, M.S., R.D., is the president of <a href="http://www.kkgbodyfuel.com/">KKG Body Fuel, Inc</a>., a nutrition counseling and consulting practice, and the founder and president of KeriBar, a nutrition snack bar company. Keri received her M.S. in clinical nutrition from New York University. She is a media dynamo who has appeared in various media, including Marie Claire, Glamour, Shape, Men's Journal, Self, Cookie, Fitness, Life &amp; Style, US Weekly, Men's Fitness, WebMD, Oxygen, Today, and the Early Show. She is a regular contributor to NY1 and Fox News Channel. Keri resides in New York City with her husband, Brett, and their children, Rex and Maizy. 
</p>
<div class="clear">
</div>
</div>
<p>
If you have a question, you would like to see answered here, <a href="communicate/savvy_mommy.html">send an email</a> and a leading mom expert in the appropriate field will respond to it in the <b>Ask Savvy Mommy</b> section. Remember to include your first name, city and state. 
</p>
</div>
