If snacks are eaten within an hour before the meal, they interfere with your appetite at the meal. To keep snacking under control, develop a plan. Include what will be eaten, how much, and the time for your snack. If you have children, involve them in developing your snack plan, too. Make appropriate snack choices available.
Studies show snacks often are chosen because of availability rather than preference.
If your cupboards are full of cookies, chips and candy, it's easy to make them your choice. If fresh fruits are washed, and vegetables cleaned and cut into finger foods, they become an easy choice. Eat snacks when you are hungry. Young and middle-aged adults may not need snacks between meals to get through the day. It depends on the adult's physical activity and work schedule.