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Information on snacks available In an effort to celebrate National Nutrition Month, healthy snacks and information on healthy snacking will be available at the Wellness Wednesday booth from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. March 21 in the Children’s Hospital lobby.   Many working Americans do not have enough time to eat meals, let alone focus on eating healthy snacks. It is important to remember that snacks are not always necessary. It is best to reserve snacking for times when you are actually hungry, not just bored. Healthy snacks can provide energy needed to get through the day. Helpful tips Have healthy items on hand at all times, as it is easier to choose healthy options this way; Pre-portion healthy snacks into snack bags/small plastic ware so they are also ready and easy to take with you; qSnacks are a great time to slip in the recommended amounts of fruits and vegetables; Choose a new vegetable or fruit that you have never tried; Pre-plan snack times and make sure they are spread out from meals; Combine foods from two or more food groups in one snack to help feel more full for a longer period of time. When looking for a healthy snack, keep in mind most snacks should be about 100 to 200 calories. If possible, try to eat meals at regular times each day with small snacks about two hours before a meal. Scheduling regular meal times each day will provide guidelines for planning snacks.  Easy, healthy snack ideas include fresh or prepackaged dried fruits, vegetable sticks with hummus or low-fat dip, popcorn,  and low fat/whole grain muffins. Weekly tips from the Healthy S.C. Challenge Healthy S.C. Challenge is a results-oriented initiative created by Gov. Mark Sanford and first lady Jenny Sanford to motivate people to start making choices that can improve health and well-being. Visit http://www.healthysc.gov. Nutrition How much do you eat? Here are a few examples of recommended portion sizes and everyday items you can compare them with: An 8 oz. glass of milk equals a small milk carton; a slice of bread for your sandwich should equal the size of a computer disk; an apple should equal the size of a baseball. Editor's note: The preceding column was brought to you on behalf of Health 1st. Striving to bring various topics and representing numerous employee wellness organizations and committees on campus, this weekly column seeks to provide MUSC, MUHA and UMA employees with current and helpful information concerning all aspects of health.     Friday, March 16, 2007 Catalyst Online is published weekly, updated as needed and improved from time to time by the MUSC Office of Public Relations for the faculty, employees and students of the Medical University of South Carolina. Catalyst Online editor, Kim Draughn, can be reached at 792-4107 or by email, catalyst@musc.edu. Editorial copy can be submitted to Catalyst Online and to The Catalyst in print by fax, 792-6723, or by email to catalyst@musc.edu. To place an ad in The Catalyst hardcopy, call Island Publications at 849-1778, ext. 201.