There’s no denying that everyone, at one time or another, has had a snack attack. Opinions on snacking differ. Some feel that snacking is bad and that eating between meals leads to weight gain. Others believe that eating many small meals and snacks throughout the day is healthy for maintaining energy levels and optimal weight. If there were one way of snacking that was right for everyone, we would all be doing it!

To alleviate snack attack guilt, try to understand why you are snacking and what snacks work best for your body. Perhaps you snack because your daily diet is missing nutrition, or because you are eating too little at meals. You might be snacking to soothe jangled nerves when you are emotional, or to entertain yourself when you are bored. Whatever your reason, acknowledge it and start thinking about how to create a life that is nourishing and truly satisfying.

Although snacks are no substitute for loving your life, they can be great energy boosters. Many convenient snack foods are highly processed and full of chemicals, additives, damaging fats and refined sugars. When a snack attack hits you, try foods that are filling and satisfying, but also nutritious.

Here are some tips:

• Snack on things that don’t come in a plastic wrapper or a box. Try fresh fruit or chopped veggies with a raw nut butter of your choice.
• Make your own signature trail mix using superfoods like goji berries, raw cacao nibs, raw seeds and nuts.
• Munch on whole grain crackers (“Mary’s Gone Crackers” are one of my fave’s) with a raw no-bean zucchini hummus or some creamy guacamole.

You can also try “upgrading”. Upgraded snacks are high in nutrition and give you a greater sense of satiety and satisfaction. You won’t feel physically or psychologically deprived, and you’ll have plenty of energy to sustain you for hours.

• If you are craving something crunchy, upgrade from potato chips to raw carrots, celery, apples, raw crackers or hot air popped popcorn topped with high mineral salt, nutritional yeast and a drizzle of flax oil.
• If you are craving a candy bar, upgrade to a handful of nuts and dried fruit, or a raw snack bar like “Lara Bar”, or “Go Raw” bars.
• Instead of a cup of coffee, upgrade to green tea, white tea, or an herbal coffee like “Teecino”.
• Instead of ice cream, upgrade to applesauce with cinnamon, or make a mango pudding by blending fresh and/or frozen man go until creamy and smooth.

Snacking is enjoyable and there is a wide variety of healthful goodies for whatever you’re craving, be it sweet, crunchy, salt y, creamy or spicy. Dive in,be creative and enjoy your snack attack.