Snacking

Snacking does not have a concrete definition. A study taken by Katherine Chaplin and Andrew Smith from the journal Appetite says, “Participants defined snacking as food or drink eaten between main meals”.

Calories

As told in the textbook Nutrition: Concepts and Controversies by Frances Sienkiewicz Sizer and Ellie Whitney, sedentary men have a recommended daily calorie intake of about 2400 kcal. For sedentary women the intake is about 2000 kcal. The average calorie intake during a meal is about 500 kilocalories leaving a range of 300-800 kilocalories for snacks between meals. Overdoing this daily allowance can cause weight gain no matter whether the snack is healthy or unhealthy.

Healthy snacking

Snacking on foods that are low in energy density, high in nutrient density, and follow the five characteristics of healthy snacking increase satiation and satiety. Sustaining a high level of satiation and satiety helps keep one within the caloric discretionary allowance, and helps one maintain a healthy body weight.