What does everyone snack on during the day?

[uk elephant]

I usually take a mix of pretzels and dried fruit to work for a mid-morning snack and I always take fresh fruit such as apple or banana for an afternoon snack. And I drink lots and lots of water and some juice. And I keep a box of granola bars at work for when I get really hungry in the afternoon.

[han-grrl]

Everyone has different needs nutritionally, since a lot of it is based on genetics.

For myself, i know i am getting super out of balance hunger when i don't eat enough protein. My body tends to need more protein than the "recommended daily" and that's normal. The recommendations are rough, and its hard to make a nutritional plan for entire countries of mixed genetics.

To give an example, hubby can eat a bowl of oatmeal and last all day. I can eat that oatmeal and i am starving in an hour. So i try to add in protein at every meal including snacks

A lot of time snacking on single foods (like pretzels or an apple) can throw blood sugar off, so it is a good idea to think of snacks as mini meals - e.g. apple with cheese and some crackers. ie fat, protein carbohydrate. that tends to keep things more stable.

For rides i will bring bananas and fig newtons or granola bars. I DO NOT eat granola bars on anything BUT rides.

For everyday, yogurt with nuts and some berries, piece of toast with sliced meat and cheese....because of my job i rarely have a time when i can eat a full meal until dinner, so i have to eat small meals through out the day.

I always start the day with a bowl of fruit, cereal (measured out), milk and sometimes an egg (i try not to eat more than 4 eggs per week).

If i do get a lunch - salad with crumbled tofu, yogurt and salsa is one of my favorites.

Good luck!

hannah

[indysteel]

Almonds, a piece of fruit, yogurt, hummus and red bell paper slices or grape tomatoes, string cheese, pretzels. I try not to snack too much at work, but I almost always eat something before I head out for my weekday training rides. I drink a recovery drink--usually 16 ounces of chocolate milk--right after a ride, too. That takes the edge off my hunger.

I, too, have experienced a marked increase in my appetite because of cycling, and I have to eat a bit more these days to keep from losing much weight. However, I would note that hunger is often confused with thirst. Be sure you're adequately hydrating, too.

[Tuckervill]

I've never been much of a snacker, but when I just have to have something, it's usually a hunk of cheese. ("hanker for a hunk a, a slab, a slice, or chunka, hanker for a hunk a cheese!") Lately I've been mixing up raisins and walnuts and whatever little nut I have around, not too much, just an ounce, and that satisfies me for a long time.

Karen

[mekira]

I'm always hungry I'm the only one that has a cooler at work I bring fruit, yogurt, cottage cheese, oatmeal, etc. I don't like salty snacks but I do love sugar (I try to stay away though, gives me headache) I drink a ton of water too....

Speaking of eating, it's time for my snack

[mimitabby]

i eat pretzels, nuts mostly for snacking at work. At home I tend to eat more fruits. I try to limit my chocolate to right after lunch (or i'd eat it all day)

[GLC1968]

I plan for snacks...but for me, they are mini meals and must include some protien. If I don't plan them, I tend to pick at the stuff that has little nutritional value and then find myself hungry all day anyway (and eating more).

typical snacks:
yogurt w/ protien powder and granola
rolled up lunch meat eaten with fresh fruit of some sort
light cheddar cheese with an apple
cold chicken and fresh fruit
1/2 a protien bar
carrot sticks, raw green beans and a small handful of almonds
1/2 a protien smoothie
ff ricotta with apple butter and chopped walnuts
powerbutter on wheat crackers

[Torrilin]

Chips and salsa are one of my default snacks. I look for low-ish sodium baked chips. Pretty much any mild salsa (except they call it medium or hot in the midwest... how strange) will do. If I'm a starvling, I'll add cheese.

Another common snack for me is to grab a cup of soup, usually homemade.