There are two very important things that keep my life on track – naps and snacks. And while there is only one way to nap (just fall asleep), snacking is a little more complicated. What do you eat? When? There are ways to snack well and, believe me, I’m a professional, so let me guide you. Here are my six top tips for satisfying snacking.
1 Don’t overthink it
So what if it’s only an hour until lunch? If you want to enjoy a quick taste of something that’ll make you happy, don’t let your brain talk you out of it. Instead of sitting there sad and hungry, snaffle a bagel spread with cream cheese or have a big juicy orange cut up into bright, sunshiny segments. Your body needs something, and arguing with it will only waste the time you’d take to prepare your little treat. Just imagine how much better you’ll feel with a mug of hot chocolate on your desk.
2 Actually take a break to eat
One of the easiest things in the world to do is accidentally eat your snack without really paying attention to it. Take two minutes out of your afternoon to stop checking your emails, to stop scrolling on your phone, and just embrace the sensation of eating something you truly enjoy. Bite into a crunchy cracker with a little dollop of wasabi on it and think about how it tastes and what you like about it. This type of meditation is about slowing down and remembering to enjoy the small moments of joy in our lives. It’s not a magical cure for stress, but it helps put some perspective on things. You deserve a minute to just really enjoy spreading some chutney on to a piece of cheddar, you really do.
3 Plan your snacks ahead of time
Sometimes the only thing that gets me through a morning of intensely boring admin is a pre-prepared snack waiting for me on the other side. Occasionally I’ll pack a little box of honey roasted cashews and dried fruit. Other times it’ll be a slice of baguette with a generous dollop of my new favourite filling, Bonne Maman’s Hazelnut Chocolate Spread. Its roasted nuttiness reminds me of delicious praline chocolates and it goes exceptionally well with coffee. Ideal for elevenses.
4 Be good to yourself
Please don’t let the conflicting advice of a thousand nutritional gurus on the internet influence your little treat. Snacktime is a time of freedom, a moment in the day to treat yourself and to escape your schedule. Set yourself free from the notion that food is merely fuel. Delicious food is joy and happiness, and perhaps a little bit of escapism, and you deserve more of that in your life. If you fancy peanut butter and apple, go for it. But if what you really want is a helping of jaffa cakes, who are you to deny yourself that pleasure? May I suggest though that you try some Bonne Maman Chocolate & Orange Spread on madeira cake instead? It’s made with delicious ripe oranges, candied orange zest and dark chocolate, giving you all the joy of a jaffa cake with a delightful, new textural experience.
5 Be adventurous
The same snack every day is comforting, but it can also get dull. If you’re finding yourself in a bit of a snack rut, don’t stop snacking – find another way to enjoy that treat. Remember how getting a variety pack was the absolute ultimate in weekend breakfast excitement? You can still do that for yourself! Try adding a few drops of hot sauce over a salty blue cheese such as roquefort or cabrales. Or make your own trail mix with different ingredients each time to keep yourself happy and fulfilled – I love adding colourful chocolate treats into my chosen dried fruit and nut mixtures. Mix it up and make it your own.
6 Be unapologetic in your indulgences
For many years I convinced myself that eating was something I had to do at mealtimes, and only when I was seriously hungry. This meant I was leaving it too long before I replenished my energies, and it had an effect on my stamina as well as my health. I’ve learned that you should choose a snack because it’s something that you want to eat, and because you know it’ll satisfy your cravings and your hunger. And you shouldn’t feel bad about that. At the moment I’m really enjoying slathering Bonne Maman’s Caramelised Apple Spread super-thickly on a slice of brioche. Crazy simple but so delicious. Give your body what it needs, but listen to what you want too. Be kind to yourself.
For snacks that hit the spot any time of the day, take a look at Bonne Maman’s new range of delicious spreads
