How Many Calories Should Come from Snacks?

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Question: How Many Calories Should Come from Snacks? Answer: Dieters who want to lose weight usually pay attention to the amount of food and calories that they consume every day. Of course, the type of calorie matters as well, but in the end, you want to eat reasonable portions at mealtimes and make healthy choices about nutrients. But what about snacktime? Do you know how many calories to consume from snacks? Even if you eat perfect meals, the calories you consume between meals could have a big impact on your overall weight loss success. So I went to a well-known registered dietitian to get an answer. Rachel Berman, R.D., is an editor at About.com Health. When I asked Berman about a recommended number of calories from snacks, she asked me to define the word "snack." “The number of calories depends on how you define snacking. “Snack” shouldn’t be a negative thing as long as you are choosing nutrient-dense foods that help you meet your needs. If you are referring to “discretionary calories” meaning empty, non-nutritive calories, I’d recommend no more than 200 on average per day.” Berman went on to say that the best number for you may also depend on the number of calories that you require each day. The average American consumes nearly 25% of their total calories from snacks that are not nutritious. Beverages account for 50% of the calories consumed through snacking according to recent data from the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT).

• Question: How Many Calories Should Come from Snacks?

• Answer:

Dieters who want to lose weight usually pay attention to the amount of food and calories that they consume every day. Of course, the type of calorie matters as well, but in the end, you want to eat reasonable portions at mealtimes and make healthy choices about nutrients.

But what about snacktime? Do you know how many calories to consume from snacks? Even if you eat perfect meals, the calories you consume between meals could have a big impact on your overall weight loss success. So I went to a well-known registered dietitian to get an answer.

Rachel Berman, R.D., is an editor at About.com Health. When I asked Berman about a recommended number of calories from snacks, she asked me to define the word "snack."

“The number of calories depends on how you define snacking. “Snack” shouldn’t be a negative thing as long as you are choosing nutrient-dense foods that help you meet your needs. If you are referring to “discretionary calories” meaning empty, non-nutritive calories, I’d recommend no more than 200 on average per day.”

Berman went on to say that the best number for you may also depend on the number of calories that you require each day.

The average American consumes nearly 25% of their total calories from snacks that are not nutritious. Beverages account for 50% of the calories consumed through snacking according to recent data from the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT).