Are Your Snacks Sabotaging Your Progress?
Here’s what to do instead
From: FITT Meals
Nutritionist - Helen Conway
Whether you’re working towards weight loss, building muscle, or just trying to stay on track with clean eating, your main meals might be well-balanced, but your snacks could be quietly working against your goals.
Snacking gets a bad rap but the truth is, it’s what and how much we’re snacking on that really matters.
When chosen wisely, snacks can support your goals by keeping energy levels steady, curbing cravings, and aiding post-workout recovery. But many people aren’t sure what to reach for, and those convenient grab-and-go options between meetings or after the gym could be the reason you’re not seeing the results you want.
The Hidden Calorie Trap
Many people underestimate how much they snack in a day, both in frequency and portion size. Even nutritious options like granola bars, trail mix, or smoothies can be surprisingly calorie-dense if they’re not portioned mindfully or factored into your overall intake. Add milky coffees or sweet teas into the mix, and those extra calories can quickly add up. The point is, it’s easy to unintentionally rack up an extra 200-300 calories a day, which, over time, can stall fat loss, affect body composition, or simply take you off track from your goals.
This matters even more if you’re following a structured plan like FITT Meals, where your meals and snacks are already designed to align with your calorie and macro targets. Adding extra snacks on top could unintentionally set back your progress, unless you’re already factoring them in.
Smart Snacking
There’s a difference between a “healthy” snack and a snack that’s right for your goal. Even nutritious foods like nuts, dark chocolate, or dried fruit can be high in calories when eaten freely. That’s why portion control and balance is important to consider.
Here are a few nutrient-dense options to keep you satisfied between meals:
- Berries and yoghurt: A refreshing source of vitamins, antioxidants, and in some cases, gut-friendly probiotics (depending on the type of yoghurt used).
- Fruit with peanut butter: A healthy combination of carbs and fats, but remember, peanut butter is calorie-dense, so stick to a measured portion.
- Chia pudding or overnight oats: Fibre-rich and slow-digesting, these options keep you fuller for longer and help maintain energy levels.
- Veggie sticks with dips like hummus: A satisfying snack that adds fibre, plant-based protein, and healthy fats.
- A small handful of nuts: Nutrient-packed but easy to overdo, so pre-portion them to stay on track.
The thing is, sometimes you just need a sweet treat to get through the day, and for many people, that’s where things start to go off track. That’s why we’ve created a smarter solution to keep you on course without compromising on taste.
Introducing FITT Meals Energy Bites
We’re excited to launch our brand-new Energy Bites which are delicious, portion-controlled snacks that clock in at around 100 calories or less. They’re designed to satisfy your sweet cravings without derailing your day. Whether you need a post-workout boost or a mid-afternoon pick-me-up, these bites give you what you need, without what you don’t.
Made with real food ingredients and aligned with your nutritional targets, to help you snack with purpose.
At FITT Meals, we go beyond meal prep. Our nutritionist-approved, chef-cooked meals (and snacks) are created to help you fuel your body with the right balance of macronutrients while still tasting great.
So whether you’re working on fat loss, performance, or long-term health, clean eating doesn’t stop at dinner. Every bite counts, including the little ones.
