If you're on the lookout for diet food, you might have noticed the 100-calorie packs produced by many snack companies. Mini-bags of cookies, chips, pretzels and even nuts make it possible to enjoy your favorite foods without worrying about eating too much of them. You don't need to buy prepackaged 100-calorie packs, though. If you're trying to save money, you can make your own 100-calorie snacks to satisfy your cravings without sabotaging your weight loss efforts.
Sweet Snacks
If you have a sweet tooth and want to indulge it, buy a few zippered storage bags and fill them with 100-calories of favorite snacks. Keep in mind that a single chocolate-covered Oreo cookie has 55 calories, but a regular graham cracker contains 30 calories, so the lower the calories, the more snack you may eat without exceeding 100 calories. Read labels before you choose, so you can pick the cookies that give you the most for your calories.
Salty Snacks
You won't get to eat many chips for 100 calories, but you can eat 18 fat-free mini-pretzels, five Melba toast crackers, 1/2 cup low-fat cottage cheese or 20 roasted peanuts, all of which contain 100 calories. Hummus and peanut butter might sound high in fat but they can fit into a 100-calorie snack if combined properly. For example, 2 tsp. peanut butter and half an apple equal 100 calories.
Fiber-rich Snacks
For the most "bang" for your calories, choose snacks that are rich in fiber. They are filling and satisfying, so you won't be hungry and ready to snack again after just an hour. Examples of fiber rich snacks that contain around 100 calories include 3 cups air-popped popcorn, 1 oz. raisins, 2 cups of sliced carrots, one small apple or pear, 1 cup blueberries and six apricots.
Fast Food Snacks
While it might seem impossible, fast food restaurants do offer a few 100-calorie options you can eat as a snack. McDonald's sells Apple Dippers with Low Fat Caramel Dip which, despite its decadent name, only contains 100 calories. Burger King's Mini-Blueberry Biscuits are just under 100 each. They are sold in a set of four, so share with a friend or save three of them for later.
Member Comments