Here are some tips for Healthy Snacking:

1. Eat before you go to a party. Holiday parties seem like they happen every weekend right? Well, try eating a full breakfast, lunch, or dinner (depending on the time of the party) before going out. This fullness will help when you are presented with a table full of sweet treats and snacks.
2. Snack with veggies and fruits. Instead of loading up your plate with sweets, chips and dips, and other high calorie snacks, try and stick to the veggies, greens, and heck even throw in a little ranch! Also, most fruit trays have delicious strawberries, melon, and apples (with a little peanut butter, of course). Sounds boring, I know, but your waistline will thank you later!
3. Choose what you will indulge in. Now I’m not saying don’t eat any cookies or treats at all during the holidays, I know that is impossible for me! So instead, choose wisely on what you will indulge in. Personally, I would choose to eat something that is unique to season and not something I can have any other time of the year. When you know you are going to indulge a little, perhaps make cuts elsewhere little on your morning snack or that extra cup of coffee.
4. Focus on socializing. I mean, that is what holiday parties are for right? You get together, talk, laugh, relive old memories, and create new ones all at the same time. Guess what? All that is calorie free!! Woohooo! Make sure you focus on the social aspects of the party or the holidays in general, because this will eliminate your want to stand by the chip bowl and just eat, eat, and eat some more. I have totally done this…regrets I say, regrets!
5. Exercise. Sounds like a no-brainer, but during the holidays, we get so busy and so exercise isn’t always priority number one. However, all the running around, cleaning, errands, and things of that nature are actually doing you some good! Besides that, taking 10 to 15 min, 2-3x a day to get your heart rate up is also a great way to burn extra calories. Try: squats, lunges, dips, planks, jumping jacks, and sit ups. Mixing together a couple of sets of 10 of each of these exercises (2-3x a day) only takes 10-15min, gets your blood flowing, and somewhat compensates for the yummy treats!

So enjoy this Holiday season in a healthy way!! I promise, you won’t regret it! 

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I must share a few of my favorite recipes with you! My boys love to snack, and we have found a couple recipes that have quickly become staples in our home. RITZ Crackers stay on my list for the Commissary, and I also love the RITZ Fresh Stacks package because they come in smaller sleeves of crackers.  Super convenient. II can give these to my kids to take outside with them for a quick snack when needed. Get your RITZ on and prepare to snack happy!

Birthday Party Ritz

What you will need:

• 16 Ritz Crackers
• 2-1/2 oz. white baking chocolate, melted
• 2-1/2 tsp. multi-colored sprinkles

Instructions:

• Cover baking sheet with parchment.
• Dip half of each cracker in chocolate, then place on prepared baking sheet.
• Top with sprinkles.
• Refrigerate for 5 minutes or until chocolate is firm.

BBQ Chipotle Pulled Chicken Toppers

What you need:

• 32 Ritz crackers
• 1 cup shredded cooked chicken breasts
• 1/3 cup barbecue sauce
• 2 canned chipotle peppers, finely chopped
• ¾ finely shredded Colby and Monterey Jack Cheeses
• 2 fresh jalapeno peppers, sliced

Instructions:

• Heat oven to 350 F
• Cook Chicken, barbeque sauce and chipotle peppers in saucepan on medium heat for 5 minutes, or until heated through – stirring frequently.
• Place crackers in single layer on baking sheet; top with cheese and chicken mixture.
• Bake 3-5 minutes or until cheese is melted. Top with jalapeno peppers.

Head on over to NabiscoMilitary.com for even more recipes, tips, treats, and more! And be sure to share your favorite recipes for RITZ Crackers! We would love to see how you TOP YOUR RITZ!