Healthy Snacks That Won’t Derail Your Diet
It’s easy to fall out of line when it comes to snacking on a diet. You may tell yourself, “Hey, it’s only a small snack, right?” However, those small snacks add up to equal a pretty large sum of calories that your body could otherwise do without.
Don’t go cutting snacking out of your life altogether. Studies show that regular mini-meals or snacks can help regulate blood sugar, improve metabolism, and prevent overeating later. The secret to a successful snack is to keep the calorie count low. Remember that, although it’s easy to overindulge on snacks; a snack is not your main meal and should not exceed more than 300 calories. To set yourself up for success, check out our list of 20 snacks with fewer than 200 calories.
Two 100-Calorie Bags of Popcorn
Salty-crunchy cravings are real. Don’t worry though, there is a way to keep those in line with your diet. Try two 100-calorie bags of air-popped popcorn next time you get the cravings. Popcorn (without movie theater-style butter) is a whole grain and a good source of fiber. It also is voluminous, so you can eat a lot for few calories and feel full. Avoid any popcorn that has trans fat and instead, reach for the bags that are low in sodium or just plain in general. To flavor the plain popcorn, lightly salt and pepper or try adding paprika or any other spice of your choice.
Half an apple with a tablespoon of peanut butter
This healthy snack adds up to only 157 calories, yet packs a punch of protein and fiber. You can get your vitamin, energy and mineral fix with any fresh fruit and apples are a great choice. Peanut butter adds an extra boost of protein as well.
10 Baked Tortilla Chips With Half-Cup Salsa
Going with the option of baked, not fried, chips and fresh salsa is a much healthier choice than greasy potato chips with dip. Ten baked tortilla chips have about 120 calories, while a half-cup of salsa contains about 42. Be sure to read labels carefully because Store-bought salsa can be high in sodium.
10 Carrot Sticks With 2 Tablespoons of Dip
One cup’s worth of carrot sticks has just 50 calories. Bonus: the carotenoids and vitamin A in carrots really can boost your eyesight. Add two 2 tablespoons of creamy veggie dip (about 132 calories) to add some flavor without blowing your diet.
Half a Whole-Wheat Pita and One-Quarter Cup of Hummus
Half an average whole-wheat pita has 85 calories and a quarter-cup serving of hummus has 93 calories. Paired, the two make a filling snack. This duo offers a fiber and protein which means extra energy for you!
An Apple With String Cheese
A stick of low-fat string cheese is between 60 and 80 calories and a medium apple is about 126 calories. String cheese is packed with calcium and protein. This is a perfect on-the-go snack that will leave you feeling satisfied.
One-Quarter Cup of Almonds, Cashews, or Pistachios
Almonds have 155 calories per quarter-cup serving, cashews have 157 calories, and pistachios have 170. Unsalted almonds, cashews, and pistachios are a great source of protein and fiber. They are also full of healthy monounsaturated fats. However, due to the fact that nuts are high in calories, the key is to watch portion sizes.
Two Large Hard-Boiled Eggs
This snack may seem small but don’t underestimate its power! Two eggs combined offers 12 grams of protein and is just 155 calories, keeping you full and satisfied. Hard-boiled eggs are simple to make and easy to take on the go.
Turkey and Cheese Roll-up
Roll a one-ounce slice of turkey and a one-ounce slice of cheese together to create a nutritious snack that has just 140 calories. If you’re watching your fat intake, go for low-fat cheese, such as Swiss, and if you’re trying to cut back on sodium, use baked turkey breast meat instead of sliced deli meat, which is high in sodium.
Simple Fruit Smoothie
Depending on the recipe you use, this well known healthy snack choice can stay under 200 calories. A good place to start is blending a cup of frozen blueberries (83 calories), three-quarters cup of coconut or almond milk (83 calories) and half-cup of Greek yogurt (50 calories) into a simple, low-calorie smoothie. This provides protein, calcium, and antioxidants. You will be enjoying a nutrition winner.
Keep up with your hard work and give yourself an extra energy boost with these nutritious, low-calorie diet snacks.