MINDFUL SNACKING How to Eat Between Meals Without Guilt

Because it's not about eating less-it's about eating smarter We've all been there.

- By Sunil Malhotra

The clock strikes 4 PM, lunch feels like a distant memory, and dinner is too far away to wait. Or it's midnight, and suddenly your kitchen lights feel more welcoming than your bed. And yet, somewhere along the way, snacking got labelled as the villain in every "clean eating" narrative-something to be ashamed of, controlled, or cut out altogether.

But here's the truth: snacking isn't the problem. Mindless snacking is. When done intentionally, snacking can actually support your energy levels, balance your mood, and keep your metabolism functioning optimally. It's all about making better choices, not rigid rules.

WHY WE SNACK (AND WHY THAT'S OKAY)

Snacking gets a bad rap because we often associate it with boredom, stress-eating, or impulsive choices-a bag of chips here, a chocolate bar there, mindlessly eaten in front of a screen. But the body sends genuine hunger cues between meals for valid reasons-especially if:

You had a light or early lunch

You're more physically active You're on your period or ovulating (hello, cravings!)

Your blood sugar levels are dipping