When it comes to weight loss many believe snacking between meals is the answer. New research however, reveals that the average person unknowingly consumes 800 calories every day [1] a as a result of snacking.

According to Sheila Zhou, expert Scientist at USANA, leading producer of high quality supplements, the issue lies with the type of snacks we are eating.

Ms. Zhou explains, “Often when we graze between meals we make the mistake of opting for calorie laden foods, rather than making nutritious choices. Not only does this hinder our body’s ability to properly process the food; it often also results in weight gain from the additional calorie consumption. Thankfully, there are alternatives that not only keep your energy levels up but also help you to shed those unwanted kilos.”

Ms. Zhou shares her expert tips on which foods will help you snack yourself skinny:

1.    Think fishy.

If you are looking for a food that will keep you feeling full between meals and provide you with loads of nutrients, tuna is the perfect option. Not only is it stacked with protein and omega-3 essential fatty acids, its ability to curb your craving leads to a flatter stomach.

2.    Play it cool.

Frozen foods often get a bad rap when it comes to healthy eating, but snap frozen vegetables such as peas and corn are actually an excellent source of nutrients. The combination of low calorie density and high levels of fibre means they are both a filling and satisfying snack.

3.    Go nutty.

Nuts are a great snack if you are conscious about your weight as they’re rich in a variety of vitamins and nutrients such as vitamin E, calcium, magnesium and potassium. They are also a significant source of protein and fibre while being naturally low in sugar. Nut bars such as USANA’s all-new Berry Nutty™ Nutrition Bar are great options, as they are both nutritious and convenient. 

4.    Pull the udder one.

When it comes to sustaining energy and hunger levels, with minimal carbohydrates, milk is the perfect answer. Not only is it loaded with calcium and vitamin D, its high protein content means you stay full for longer than most other drinks.

5.    Pop it.

At only 20 calories per cup, natural popcorn is an underrated and reasonably healthy snack. As they are made out of whole grains they are low in glycaemic Index. Plus, the fibre from whole grains help you to feel full on fewer calories, meaning you consume less food overall.

Ms. Zhou also recommends the following products to help you snack smarter: 

To view the full range of USANA Health Sciences nutritional, weight management and personal care products visit www.usana.com.

USANA Health Sciences was founded in 1992 in the United States by microbiologist and immunologist, Dr Myron Wentz.  The products are backed by an accredited team of scientific experts and USANA has been awarded a 5-star rating for its nutritional products – the highest of any available in Australia in the Comparative Guide to Nutritional Supplements (4th Ed) by Lyle McWilliam, an independent Canadian biochemist.

[1] Introduction to the US Food System: Public Health, Environment, and Equity edited by Roni Neff

I’m one of those people who carries eye drops with me everywhere and I also leave a bottle on my work desk.  I have a tendency to get very dry eyes, usually from air conditioning and sore eyes when it’s windy and there's too much pollen in the air.

The Murine Eye Mist is a spray mist, which you spray onto your eyelids.    Previous to using this I had always used normal eye drops and I can say this eye mist is a lot easier to use, especially when I’m at work and I don’t want to mess up my eye make up or walk around with eye drop tears running down my face!    

This preservative free spray is designed for dry, sensitive eyes.   The eye mist applies liposomes onto the eyelids which keeps your eyes feeling refreshed. 

Spraying the mist on my eyes gave an instant cooling sensation and I could feel my eyes becoming less irritated.   With a spray you might wonder if it will work as well as eye drops and it does, the mist gets absorbed through the eyelids.   

I also know that many people feel very uncomfortable using eye drops, so they put up with having irritated eyes, this spray would be perfect for those of you who have difficulty using drops and  for those who wear contact lenses.

Even if you have tired eyes when watching tv or after a late night out, this will take away alot of the blurriness in your eyes. 

For more information you can visit the Murine website, the spray is available from Pharmacies.

When I received my bottle of Amazonia Raw Sugar Crave Release Spray to review, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect, I hadn’t heard of this before and wondered if it would really work. I started using this after the Christmas holidays, a time when I gave up all healthy dietary habits and ate a lot of sugar filled desserts!

The spray contains many different herbs, flowers, leaves and seeds which are anti-parasitic and help to fight sugar and carb cravings.

It does have a distinctive taste, the flavour which stands out to me is the oregano herb, if you’re used to drinking and eating herbs, you will know what I mean. They're not going to taste sweet, but they work!   Occasionally I use oregano oil on it’s own to help with intestinal issues. 

All of the ingredients are well known herbs which have amazing health benefits, normally known to treat stomach problems.

This spray works by balancing the intestinal flora in your body, which in turn, helps to stop unhealthy cravings,  I go through stages of the month where I do crave sweets and carbs, the times I used this for cravings I found myself wanting different types of healthy foods, all of a sudden I'm enjoying salad sandwiches, which isn't the type of food I usually crave, to be honest I haven't had a salad sandwich in years (that's probably not something I should be admitting!).

I also found this spray extremely helpful for treating an upset stomach,  this is because the herbs contained in the spray kill off nasty germs and targets bad digestive bacteria, which is very good for people like me with food sensitivities.   

Whether you are trying to lose weight and cut back on sugar or just want to keep your insides working smoothly, this is a handy spray to have. I’ve been using it every day to keep things balanced.

Developed with the help of naturopaths and nutritionsist, this spray was created by a hands on Australian company called Amazonia, creators of premium organic health products which have developed a huge following, both in Australia and Internationally.


Following are a list of all ingredients and their health properties - 

Green Black Walnut Hull - stomach infections and parasitic infections 

Clove Flower - upset stomach, nausea, bad breath

Pumpkin Seed - intestinal parasites, infections

Gentian Root - germ killer, intestinal parasites, muscle spasms

Hyssop Leaf, - digestive and intestinal problems 

Cumin Seed - digestion, bloating

Cramp Bark - fluid retention, cramps

Peppermint Leaf - digestion, heartburn, ibs, upset stomach, bacterial overgrowth

Chinese Rhubarb Root - stomach upset and pain, fine cleanser  for the intestines, bowels, liver and blood, helping to rid the system of accumulated toxins.

Thyme Leaf  - germ killer, breath freshener, parasitic infections, sore throat, upset stomach and pain

Oregano Leaf  - heartburn, bloating, cramps, intestinal parasites, allergies

Fennel Seed - digestive problems, bloating, gas

Available at Vitamin King