Happy fall to everyone! It's a strange year, and a lot of our normal patterns have been completely blown to the wind. One thing that we have heard patients tell me regularly is that they have been snacking differently: eating more snacks and less healthy ones, just by virtue of being home more often and wanting to eat comfort foods. Many patients have reported weight gain, and some folks who have not had cavities in years are showing up with several!
The pandemic is stressful for us all. Whether it barely effected our schedule or has landed us at home with the kids, we are all finding new ways to go through life. We'd like to offer some tips for trying to mediate the little voice that tells you to eat candy.
First of all, if there are no healthy options in the house, you won't have much of a choice when you get hungry! Cut carrots, celery and bell peppers can be bought in the produce section of the grocery store, and last for about a week. They are fabulous dipped in hummus, or a spinach/artichoke dip. Roasted nuts are another great option (yes, your dentist approves!) that last even longer, and because they have a good serving of protein, they will help keep you full longer. Fresh fruit is another good choice- apples and mandarins keep for several weeks in the fridge, and are very portable as well. Lastly, small amounts of dark chocolate are filling and a great treat.
We're not saying you can't eat chips and cookies (we would never!), but next time you feel peckish in between meals, see if you can't get yourself to first eat an apple or some carrot sticks with hummus before you open that bag of chips. Small changes can lead to better habits and better health.
--Dr Jennifer Idziorek
The pandemic is stressful for us all. Whether it barely effected our schedule or has landed us at home with the kids, we are all finding new ways to go through life. We'd like to offer some tips for trying to mediate the little voice that tells you to eat candy.
First of all, if there are no healthy options in the house, you won't have much of a choice when you get hungry! Cut carrots, celery and bell peppers can be bought in the produce section of the grocery store, and last for about a week. They are fabulous dipped in hummus, or a spinach/artichoke dip. Roasted nuts are another great option (yes, your dentist approves!) that last even longer, and because they have a good serving of protein, they will help keep you full longer. Fresh fruit is another good choice- apples and mandarins keep for several weeks in the fridge, and are very portable as well. Lastly, small amounts of dark chocolate are filling and a great treat.
We're not saying you can't eat chips and cookies (we would never!), but next time you feel peckish in between meals, see if you can't get yourself to first eat an apple or some carrot sticks with hummus before you open that bag of chips. Small changes can lead to better habits and better health.
--Dr Jennifer Idziorek
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