Many prepackaged snack foods, such as chips and cookies, contain a high calorie count. Snacks keep your hunger under control between meals to avoid over eating, according to MayoClinic.com. Low-calorie snacks help you stay within your daily calorie range while satisfying your need to eat between meals. Replacing a vending machine snack with a low-calorie snack means an overall healthier diet and possible weight loss.
Hummus and Vegetable Plate
Hummus works well as a healthy dip for your vegetables while keeping the snack time calories low, according to Fitness magazine. Hummus is made from chickpeas, which offer fiber and protein in addition to being low calorie. Measure 2 to 3 tbsp. of hummus for your snack. Add your favorite vegetables on the plate. Ideas include sugar snap peas, carrots, celery and pepper strips. Pita wedges also work well if you to add more than vegetables to your snack plate.
Parfait
Parfaits involve layers of different ingredients, typically creating a sweet snack. The Health Alliance Plan website recommends layering low-fat pudding, crushed vanilla wafer cookies and a small spoonful of low-fat whipped topping for a low-calorie parfait.
Yogurt also works well for a parfait. Choose plain yogurt for the lowest sugar and calorie content. Layer the yogurt with your favorite fruits, such as strawberries, bananas or blueberries. A few tablespoons of low-calorie granola adds some crunch to the parfait.
Cheese & Apples
Cheese and apples are a common snack combination that keeps your calorie count lower. Pears also work well with cheese. Fitness magazine recommends an ounce of Brie to complement a small apple in the variety of your choice to keep snack time around 150 calories. Experiment with different apple varieties to find your favorite level of sweetness and crunch.
Sweet Potato Fries
Sweet potato fries offer a salty snack option that saves calories over potato chips or regular French fries. Cut your washed sweet potato into fry-like strips. Toss the fries with a small amount of olive oil. You need just enough oil to lightly cover the fries. A sprinkle of your favorite seasonings adds flavor to the sweet potato fries. Bake the sweet potato fries for about 20 minutes in a 450 degree oven, turning once during baking.
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