Midafternoon may find you a little slow and sleepy, even if you have lots to do before returning home in the evening. In between car pooling and picking up the dry cleaning, there are simple ways to re-energize. Snacking between meals, especially when meals are more than three to four hours apart, can help provide energy and mental power.
Snacking varies widely. Italian sweets are wonderful, but seem to be eaten sparingly, with the exception of the cornetto or breakfast pastry in the morning with coffee on their way to work or school. But many Italians seem to have "cornetto and caffe" almost every morning after a light breakfast of fruit at home. The caffe or coffee bars also sell panini or sandwiches that are eaten throughout the day. At home, Italians will sometimes snack on prosciutto, cheese, olives and marinated vegetables. The roadside rest stops would sell familiar appearing snacks such as chips, but the Italians would not eat these on a regular basis. However, gelato is a staple snack for almost everyone.
Choose one of the following snack ideas to keep you going throughout the day.
Snack Ideas
Choose one daily
Serve any of these menus with sparkling water
Menu #1 - 71 calories
1 medium crisp red or green apple
Menu #2 - 11 calories
Raw, cut vegetables such as celery sticks
Menu #3 - 55 calories
Wasa whole grain crispbread, topped with apple slices
Menu #4 – 65 calories
1 cup red or green grapes
