When you hit a midday slump, your first instinct might be to reach for the closest snack. However, with a primer on nutritional medicine, you can snack smarter by fueling your body with the nutrients it needs to power through the rest of your day. The team at IMUA Orthopedics, Sports & Health, based in Honolulu, HI, shares some tips to give you an edge.

3 Tips to Snack Smarter With Nutritional Medicine

1. Balance

Nutritional medicine advocates enjoying foods that provide your body with essential nutrients. One way to snack smarter is to have more than one macronutrient, or “macro,” so you can feel satisfied until your next meal. Macros refer to proteins, fats, and carbohydrates, and they provide your body with energy. Instead of just reaching for a handful of carb-heavy granola, enjoy a serving of nuts (protein and fat) and a piece of fruit (carbs), or combine cottage cheese (protein and fat) with berries (carbs).

2. Healthy Swaps

Candy bars may be delicious, but they’re calorically dense and don’t provide your body with vital nutrients. Instead, listen to your cravings and use them to guide your snack choice. If you want something sweet, whip up a Greek yogurt parfait with berries and almonds, or top rice cakes with nut butter and sliced bananas. If you’re craving something salty, try air-popped popcorn with sea salt or deli meat and whole-wheat crackers.

3. Be Prepared

Nutritional medicine isn’t a crash diet—it’s a lifestyle choice. That means actively making choices that support your overall health and wellness. So instead of grabbing a bag of chips in the office, keep a stash of wholesome foods at your desk or in your bag. Hardy fruit—like apples and clementines—protein bars, individual servings of nuts, and single servings of nut butter travel well and can come in handy when you need a quick boost on the go.

Whether your goal is to lose weight or simply feel your best, it’s important to consider whether you’re fueling your body with the nutrients it needs to thrive. A dietary plan based in nutritional medicine can support your overall wellness with healthy, wholesome snacks.  

To learn more about functional medicine and nutrition, reach out to IMUA team today by calling (808) 521-IMUA. The doctors at this medical and surgical care center believe in guiding patients through individually tailored, comprehensive dietary and lifestyle prescriptions to improve overall vitality. You can also visit them online to learn more about their nutritional medicine services.