January 19 is National Popcorn Day and the staff at Montgomery Foot Care Specialists is using this as inspiration to start snacking healthily. Popcorn is a great snack – it provides fiber, is low in calories, and fills you up.
Snacking on popcorn and other healthy foods is a mindful way to keep extra pounds from creeping up on you. Dr. Heidi M. Christie and Dr. Chanda L. Day-Houts always encourage our patients to maintain a healthy weight in order to keep their feet healthy, too. Common foot ailments such as heel pain and arch pain get worse when overweight kicks in. Obesity worsens the progression of heart disease and diabetes as well. So help yourself prevent weight gain and keep your feet happy by choosing snacks wisely.
Tips for Healthy Snacking
Get rid of unhealthy snacks.
Healthy snacking really starts with keeping the right kinds of food readily available, but first you have to clear your kitchen of the unhealthy stuff. But what to do with your assortment of potato chips, ice cream, cookies, cakes, and high-fat cheese? If they’re unopened, donate them to a river region food pantry. Food that you’ve already opened can be gifted to your neighbors, friends, and colleagues at work.
Stock up on the good stuff.
Fill your cabinets with plain popcorn, small containers of plain yogurt (add your own honey or fresh fruit to keep sugar content low), low-salt mixed nuts, grapes, small apples and oranges, mini-pretzels, low-calorie cheese sticks, and pre-portioned pouches of peanut butter or almond butter.
Watch your portion size.
If you make only one New Year’s resolution about snacking, make it this one: never eat from the bag/box/package. Read the Nutrition Facts label, set out one portion, and put the rest away or you’ll probably consume too many calories.
Add a beverage.
Stay hydrated and satiated by adding a glass of water or herbal tea to your snack time. Low-sodium, 100% tomato juice is another excellent beverage snack!
Our two feet are well-equipped to carry our normal weight, but when we pack on the pounds, our feet begin to protest. If your feet hurt for any reason, call our expert podiatrists in Montgomery, AL at (334) 396-3668 or make an appointment online.