Snack or Treat? Do you know the difference?

Are those cookies a treat or a snack? Ah, that is the question.
What is the difference between treats and snacks? If you are a Weight Watcher or if you have kids at home, you really need to understand this concept.
I read about this simple concept in the book, Family Power- 5 Simple Rules for Healthy Weight Homes. This is a Weight Watchers book about how to involve your whole family in healthy eating. One of the rules is to learn the difference between treats and snacks.
It becomes obvious once you think about it. A treat is for a special occasion: a birthday, your spouse's birthday, your dog's birthday (not!), an anniversary, reaching a milestone, etc. A snack is an everyday occurrence- they are to keep you going between meals.
Of course, in our society, we often abuse our snack time and use it to
**relieve boredom**, **quiet stress** or **postpone what we should be doing**.
I love to have a cup of tea and a little something between tasks. If I plan it into my day- great. If I don't- those little snacks add up. I think it is the little snacks, bites, licks and unplanned munchies that slow up our weight loss.
It all comes down to planning and choices. If you want a TREAT- plan for it. Eat carefully that day and enjoy your planned treat. If you want/need to SNACK between meals, also plan and enjoy. Weight Watchers is all about letting you have the foods you want- in controlled portion sizes. If you are not ready to eat a moderate portion of your chocolate chip cookies, don't start. Wait a few weeks (months or years) until your weight loss is rolling (or stable) and you feel more in control. Someday you will be able to eat one or two cookies and be really, really happy with your choice! You'll be a true Weight Watchers success story.