Some people think too much snacking can lead to weight gain, but the key is nibbling on the right things in the right amounts. Here are a few of my favorite choices.
By: Katie Cavuto Boyle, M.S., R.D. One thing I look forward to every day is my snacks. Some people think too much snacking can lead to weight gain, but the key is nibbling on the right things in the right amounts. Choose wisely and these daily treats can be beneficial, too.

Creating healthy snacking habits gives structure to your daily eating regimen — plus, these foods can add some important nutrients you might not get from your other meals. Better still, a healthy snack provides extra energy to get you through your busy day and it may curb your appetite, which keeps you from overdoing it at lunch or dinner.

So what do I eat? My snacks usually consist of about 1 serving of carbohydrate (about 15 grams), an ounce or so of protein and some fiber so it's balanced. Carbohydrates offer the energy, while the protein and fiber help keep me feeling full because they take longer to digest.

Here are a few of my favorite snacks -- all for under 200 calories:

Katie Cavuto Boyle, MS, RD, owns HealthyBites, LLC and competed on Season 5 of The Next Food Network Star.

[Photo courtesy of enzo & lulu / Flickr]
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