Although we often focus nutrition-related questions and education on meals, snacks account for 22% of the average US adult’s calories. Imagine the difference if those snacks were nutrient-dense foods that helped fill nutritional gaps, instead of major sources of sodium, saturated fat and added sugars. In this session we will examine a range of snacking patterns that may be important contributors to your patients’ eating habits: aimless snacking, snacking stemming from boredom or emotional stress, the choice of “grazing” based on the belief that it raises metabolic rate and enhances weight loss, and snacking as a replacement for meal planning and preparation. This session will review what current research does and does not support, and discuss practical applications, on how snacking choices can help fill nutritional gaps; reduce excess saturated fat, sodium and added sugars; and support a healthy weight. Our goal will be to help attendees develop patient-appropriate talking points to reinforce nutrition counseling and combat common misunderstandings about snacks in a healthful eating pattern.