Snacking can be an effective way to curb cravings, staving off extreme hunger and maintaining energy. Thus, snacking can help you shed pounds.

However, regular snacking might have too much calories. Pick one of the above to be sure your snacking is improving your weight loss efforts:

• have no more than one or two 150- to 200-calorie snacks daily

• make sure to space meals and snacks about three to four hours apart

• pick healthy snacks having a mix of proteins, carbohydrates and fat:

- a low-fat plain yogurt

- a cup of high-fiber cereal with 1 nonfat milk

- a cup of vanilla soymilk

- a cheese stick

- any fruit: an apple, an orange, ...