Snackers!

If you are anything like me, you love to snack.  While I am reading or watching a little television, I have that right hand motion from bag or bowl to mouth. In the past, I have chosen snacks that may not have been the healthiest, or sometimes have overloaded on even the healthier options.

I came across an interesting article in the most recent issue of Good Housekeeping magazine by Dr. Oz with a sample menus from his "Superfast Slim Down Plan".  There are 14 snacks listed which are 125 calories each.

Very exciting!  Here they are:

1. 1 hard cooked egg served with 6 oz low sodium vegetable juice.

2. 2 whole grain fig Newtons.

3. 1 Kashi TLC Fruit & Grain Bar in Dark Chocolate Coconut.

4. 1 Mini Babybel Light with 4 Triscuits

5. 1 Deep chocolate Vita Muffin Top with 1/4 cup raspberries

6. 1 small pear, spread with 1 wedge Laughing Cow Light Blue Cheese

7.  1/2 canned pineapple chunks in juice topped with 2 teas. chopped walnuts    and 2 teas. unsweetened shredded coconut.

8. 15 grapes and 1 reduced fat Cheddar Cheese stick.

9. one 100 calorie bag of popcorn sprinkled with 2 tab Parmesan

10. 6 oz. plain non fat Greek yogurt mixed with 1 teas. honey and dash of pumpkin pie spice.

11. one 12 oz. non-fat latte with one Dark Chocolate Hershey Kiss

12. one Kind Mini Fruit & Nut Delight with 5 grapes

13. 1/2 cup light vanilla ice cream topped with 4 strawberries sliced.

14. 1/2 cup low fat cottage cheese with 1/3 cup cantaloupe chunks plus one Ak-Mak cracker.

Jolly Time Popcorn has the 100 calorie snack size packages and this is actually my usual go to snack in a pinch.  I also enjoy a little glass of the low sodium V8 with a sprinkle of hot sauce in it.  (No alcohol) to  jump start my metabolism.  I also like to keep the little Jello cups (0 calories) on hand or, I believe it is Del Monte, which makes the gelatin cups with fruit.  It is filling.

I also love to check out ideas from the Hungry Girl 200 Under 200 by Lisa  Lillien.  That is, 200 recipes under 200 calories. Lisa also has a wonderful web site and a free daily newsletter (Monday through Friday) at www. hungry-girl.com.  Most of the recipes are servings for one or two and are pretty quick to whip up.

How about Red Hot Chick'n Salad?  This recipe was "inspired by classic Buffalo wings.  It has the heat, the ranch, the celery and the carrots.  What it doesn't have is the fat and calories.  Yay!"

6 ounces cooked skinless lean chicken breast, cubed
3 Tab. fat free mayonnaise
3 Tab. chopped celery
3 Tab chopped carrots
2 teas. reduced fat Parmesan-style grated topping
1 1/2 teas. Franks Red Hot Original Cayenne Pepper Sauce
1/2 teas. dry ranch dip/dressing mix.

In a medium bowl, combine mayo, Frank's, and ranch mix and stir well.  Add chicken, celery and carrots to the saucy mayo and stir.  Sprinkle with Parm style topping and stir again. And, eat up!"

This recipe make two servings (3/4 cup each) and is 142 calories.  Serve on a bed of lettuce or in a high fiber tortilla or eat right from the bowl.  So, if you have the hankering for wings......give this one a try!

See you next time!