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Saturday, October 6, 2007

Top 10 Low Calorie Snacks

By Renee Carter


When it comes to snacking, you probably imagine a chocolate-covered
sundae with nuts and whip cream, but snacking doesn’t have to be a bad word. When you’re hungry, but not so hungry that you want a meal, a low calorie snack is the smart way to go.

But what can you eat without sacrificing all that hard work you’ve been doing in the gym? Well, I have the answer. Without sacrificing flavor (read: no rice cakes), here are some yummy low calorie snacks you can enjoy without regret.

Low calorie snacks #10
Egg white omelet with salsa

Replaces: Whole egg omelet with cheese
In a bowl mix 4 egg whites with a touch of salt, pepper and paprika. On medium heat, cook the eggs in a nonstick pan (so you don’t need to use butter or margarine; if you don’t have one, use Pam). If you like, feel free to add vegetables like tomatoes, mushrooms, spinach, and peppers.

Pour some salsa (and Tabasco sauce) over your creation and enjoy.

Calories: 68
Calories from fat: 4

Low calorie snacks #9
Celery with peanut butter
Replaces:
Peanut butter sandwich
Take one stick of celery and cut it in half. Spread about 1½ tablespoons of all-natural peanut butter (if you’re not used to the taste, add a dash of Splenda) in the cavity of the celery and enjoy.

Calories: 115
Calories from fat: 72 (monounsaturated, good fats)

Low calorie snacks #8
Sugar free Jell-O gelatin
Replaces:
Regular Jell-O gelatin
Follow the directions on the packet and add your favorite fruit to the gelatin before placing it in the fridge.

Calories: 60
Calories from fat: 0


Low calorie snacks #7
Sugar/fat free Jell-O pudding
Replaces:
Regular pudding
Make the packet according to the direction and add a few walnuts to the mix to ensure you get some protein. If making the pudding is too taxing for you, then buy single serving cups and have one whenever you get the buzz for pudding.

Calories: 60 (141 if you add 1/8 cup of walnuts)
Calories from fat: 0 (73 if you add 1/8 cup walnuts, but it’s a good fat)

Low calorie snacks #6
Almond ricotta cheese
Replaces:
chocolate mousse with nuts
In a small bowl (one that you can eat out of), mix ½ cup partly-skim ricotta cheese, ½ teaspoon almond extract and 2 spoons of Splenda together. Add a teaspoon of slivered almonds.

Calories: 192
Calories from fat: 99 (this is a low-carb recipe)

Low calorie snacks #5
Cinnamon apple
Replaces:
Slice of apple pie with ice cream
Cut and core half an apple (use one that will remain firm even after cooked) and fill the middle with one teaspoon of brown sugar and some cinnamon (if you’re a cinnamon lover, go crazy).

Place it in a microwave-safe bowl and cover it with plastic wrap. Heat it on high for just over 2 minutes and then top it with a tablespoon of frozen vanilla yogurt (you can add a dash of cinnamon to that, too).

Calories: 143
Calories from fat: 0

Low calorie snacks #4
Instant oatmeal with cinnamon & raisins
Replaces:
Dry, sugar-laden cereal with milk
Boil water and, while you’re waiting, place a half-cup of instant natural oatmeal and blend in about 10 raisins, one teaspoon of Splenda and a generous amount of cinnamon, pour in the boiling water and blend with a spoon.

Calories: 150
Calories from fat: 20

Low calorie snacks #3
Soymilk smoothie
Replaces:
Banana/strawberry milkshake
In a blender, mix together 1 cup of sugar-free soymilk, 3 frozen strawberries and a whole banana (add cinnamon or cocoa powder if you like). Blend until smooth (hence the term) pour into a glass, get a straw, and enjoy.

Calories: 190
Calories from fat: 43

Low calorie snacks #2
Barely there cheesecake
Replaces:
Strawberry cheesecake
On a graham cracker, spread two tablespoons of low-fat cream cheese, and two tablespoons of sugar-free strawberry jam. Eat slowly, paying attention to all the flavors and you will feel satisfied after the last bite.

Calories: 120
Calories from fat: 18

Low calorie snacks #1
Chocolate-covered strawberries
Replaces:
Chocolate cake with fruit
Dip 8 large or 12 small strawberries into two tablespoons of sugar- and fat-free chocolate syrup and chill them in the fridge for an hour. Then take them out and enjoy.

Calories: 143
Calories from fat: 4

Enjoy low-calorie snacks

Next time you want to reach for that candy bar or are thinking about indulging in some Ben & Jerry’s, take a moment and think back to my wonderful list. Then head to the kitchen and whip up something you won’t regret in the morning.

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