Snack Foods With Less Than 100 Calories

Making the right snack choices can help keep you satisfied between meals. A well-chosen snack will also provide some essential nutrients and stave off hunger until it is time for your next meal. A snack that weighs in at less than 100 calories will also help you keep your weight in check by preventing you from eating more calories than a snack should contain.

Fruit

A piece of fruit is a low-calorie snack that also contains some fiber to help you feel full between meals. An apple, a cup of raspberries or a pear all contain a good amount of fiber for under 100 calories. Preparing different fruit snacks will provide different tastes and flavors while also giving you the same low-calorie benefits, report Sally Sampson and Kathy McManus, authors of "100-Calorie Snack Cookbook." Spread a thin layer of peanut butter on two apple slices, layer on sliced bananas and then sprinkle on a few blueberries for a healthy snack that weighs in at just 95 calories, suggest Sampson and McManus. Another way to enjoy an apple is to sprinkle a few slices with cinnamon and a teaspoon of sugar and bake until soft.

Rice Cake with Cheese

One rice cake only has about 45 calories, which leaves you additional calories to add a flavorful accompaniment, remarks Judith Wills, author of "The Food Bible." A few tablespoons of ricotta cheese spread on your rice cake will add about 40 additional calories. Just 1/4 cup of low-fat cottage cheese adds only about 35 calories, while 1 tbsp. of shredded Parmesan cheese contains only 45 calories. Try sprinkling it on top of your rice cake and warming it the microwave for a few seconds to melt the cheese. A tablespoon of low-fat cream cheese adds about 25 calories. Sprinkle some spices, such as cinnamon, cayenne pepper or rosemary on top of your cheese for added taste, but no added calories.

Crunchy Vegetables with Dip

Vegetables are naturally low in calories so you can eat a large serving for less than 100 calories, leaving you room to add a dip. Cut up a few carrots, stalks of celery, bell peppers and broccoli. Just 1 cup of vegetables will weigh in at about 35 to 40 calories, reports Wills. Choose 1/4 cup of tomato salsa to add about 30 calories, and offers you an additional serving of vegetables. A tablespoon of hummus adds about 40 calories as well as a small amount of fiber. Low-fat salad dressing is another dipping option. Drizzle 1 tsp. over your vegetables for only about 50 calories.