The average diet plan will give you a break down for three meals per day. Some add in the optional snack as well. Other diet plans suggest eating five to six small meals during the day which means that you are not really more than a large snack every few hours. Either of these plans could be effective depending on your weight, activity level and the speed of your own metabolism.

If you are adhering to a diet plan but finding yourself starving, you might need to add in some healthy, low calorie snacks or you run the risk of disrupting the metabolic process. When your body gets too few calories it becomes like you are starving. You will not lose weight if your body is in starvation mode. Hunger can also keep you from performing at your best whether it is day to day activities or an exercise program.

The problem with the word "snacks" is simple. Most people automatically thing of cheesy nonsense that stains their fingers a bizarre orange or greasy bits that will turn a napkin transparent. The trick is to find the right snack, one that is both low in calories (between 100-150 for most people) and healthy. That means anything where cheese is spelled with a "Z" is out, I am afraid. Cheese, the all natural, dairy variety can be a good snack choice, especially if you stick to better choices. Low fat string cheese is not only nutritious but gives you built in portion control as well. Spreadable cheeses, like those from Laughing Cow are also a great choice. Each wedge is roughly thirty five calories, so a wedge and a cup of grapes is a delicious but still low calorie choice.

Snacks do not have to be boring, of course. If you are pressed for time, fruit is a great, on the go idea but if you have a few minutes for your snack you can try hummus and cut up veggies. Snacks are a great way to try new food choices because you are opting for a smaller size and are not going to starve because you hated your choice. Nuts, especially almonds, walnuts and pistachios are great snack choices but have to be portioned correctly or they will be too high in fat and calories. If you are on a lower sodium diet, opt for nuts that are either lightly salted or completely unsalted.

Make plans for a snack attack with handy, easy to eat snacks that are always within easy reach. That way you are never forced to hit the vending machine for the Z cheese snacks that are so wrong for you for so many reasons.