Americans snack so often that calories from between-meal noshing add up to a meals-worth.  Snacking isn’t wrong, but there are ways to go about it to maximize nutrition and keep up your energy.

As an adult, you may find afternoons particularly full of snacking temptations, especially when you skimp on lunch and you’re facing a long stretch between the mid-day meal and dinner. Kids may need to snack when they are going through a growth spurt, they’re physically active, or they don’t eat enough at mealtimes. 

Snacks should fill you up, but not out, and provide good nutrition. Better-for-you snacks are a balance between protein, carbohydrate, and fat to keep you fuller for longer. 

Instead of grabbing highly-refined foods like crackers, cookies, and pastry, focus on protein-forward choices that also provide other nutrients, including calcium, such as Hood Cottage Cheese with Maple & Vanilla and Hood Cottage Cheese with Honey & Pear. 

When it comes to smart snacking, it’s about getting as much nutrition, particularly protein, for the calories. Here’s how Hood Cottage Cheese snack ideas stack up to some popular afternoon options. 

If you’re craving: Coffee shop Maple Walnut Muffin

Calories: 390 

Protein: 6 grams 

Have this instead: Hood Cottage Cheese with Maple & Vanilla (1/2 cup) topped with 2 tablespoons chopped walnuts

Calories: 225

Protein: 13 grams 

Calorie savings: 165

Added protein: 7 grams 

If you’re craving: Large Cranberry Orange Scone

Calories: 420

Protein: 6 grams 

Have this instead: Hood Cottage Cheese with Honey & Pear (1/2 cup) on 1-ounce slice crusty whole grain toast 

Calories: 206

Protein: 14 grams

Calorie savings: 214

Added protein: 8 grams 

If you’re craving: King-size Chocolate Bar (about 2 ounces)

Calories: 257

Protein: 2 grams 

Have this instead: Hood Cottage Cheese with Maple & Vanilla with 1 tablespoon mini chocolate chips stirred in

Calories: 140

Protein: 11

Calorie savings: 117

Added protein: 9 grams