While snacking can be a great way to include more fruits and veggies in the diet, it can also lead to weight gain and unhealthy habits forming when done on an impulse. When the urge to snack strikes, ask yourself the following three questions to determine if you are actually hungry, or giving into an unhealthy craving or emotional need rather than physical hunger:

1. Do I feel hungry? Sounds like an easy enough question right? Often times we eat without truly taking the time to question whether or not we are really hungry. If the answer is yes, move on to question 2.

2. Have I had enough water today? The brain can easily mistake thirst and dehydration for hunger cues. If you have not drunk enough water, drink 8 to 16 ounces and re-evaluate in 30 minutes whether you are actuallly hungry, or were experiencing a misinterpreted cue.  If you have had enough water, move on to question 3.

3. Would I eat a fruit or vegetable? If you are not willing to eat a healthy food, chances are your snack craving is more impulse-based than hunger-based.  If your answer to this question is yes, then snack away! Just make sure you are eating a healthy snack including fruits or veggies, and as well as some form of protein, such as apple slices with peanut butter or carrots and hummus.

• Learn more about the local Y at http://www.seattleymca.org/Locations/Snoqualmie/Pages/Home.aspx.