Whether sitting around the house or on the go, we like to snack. With a little time and attention to what you are eating, you can make healthier snack decisions.  Here are a few Healthier Snacks for everyone, young and older. Boca Home Care recommends you pay attention to special health needs, consult your doctor or nutritionist and start eating better to feel better.

When assessing an elderly client, asking what their typical breakfast, lunch and dinner is usually yields very little information about good nutrition.  Coffee and a bagel, a sandwich, chicken with a potato are typical responses. It is practically pointless to tell an 80 plus year old to eat their fruit and vegetables…but we try.

Diets are very important to maintaining good health. For people with Diabetes or Heart Disease the issue of diet and nutrition is particularly important. No salt, low salt, low sugar,  gluten free, low cholesterol, the right cholesterol and so forth. As the elderly tend to exercise less, weight is also an issue. It would be so helpful if doctors had a nutritionist on staff who reviews dietary concerns, needs and puts forward daily menu ideas for each patient.

Consult with your doctor first before changing your diet. That advice goes for snacks also. See what you can add – a piece a fruit, and detract – a few cookies maybe, from your daily diet. For the really ambitious, add an exercise or stretching routine to your day or week.

We are what we put into our mouths/bodies and how we take care of our bodies.Walk in the pool or in an air conditioned mall. Stretch your arms and legs, bend from side to side – make an effort to be healthier and you’ll likely feel better for it.

Here are a few healthy snack ideas to replace or enhance the poor choices we tend to make: (again, you must check with your primary doctor before making these changes)-

Eat more nuts and dried fruit—make your own Trail Mix with walnuts, almonds, figs, raisins, sunflower seeds – you get the idea. Add some to a low fat yogurt.

Low sugar & fat Snack Bars – There are lots of good flavors today – try some and find your favorite. Here again, go for the nuts and dried fruit and high fiber or grain bars.

Whole Grain crackers are great with a low fat cheese or hummus. Try Almond butter too. Look for low fat, high protein snacks.

Fresh Fruit - grapes – try freezing them, berries, strawberries, bananas, apple or pear slices, oranges. Pre-slice or peel and take them with you.

Popcorn – air popping is healthiest, or at least a low fat bag. Add some pepper or a spice you like.

On the go, take whole grain pretzels, a hard boiled egg, rice cakes, veggie chips — get the idea?  Low Fat, Low Sodium, Low Sugar – Whole Grain, Fiber rich, Protein, Fresh.

Keep the snack healthy by keeping them low calorie, low fat and low sugars. Add a healthy snack and take away an unhealthy one. Try it, you’ll get to like it and feel a lot better while looking better too.