As you guys know, I’m a snacker! I just LOVE ’em! Snacks are a great way to pack in extra nutrition and curb hunger so you don’t overeat at the next meal. Planning snacks ahead of time is a good way to prevent vending machine runs and office temptations (hello, donuts and baked goods!). Just keep in mind that a snack is meant to carry you over to the next meal, not be a meal.
Tips for Healthy Snacking
- Keep snacks around 200 calories or less.
- Avoid “grazing” (aka munching all day long). Plan your snacks and stick to them! It’s too easy to lose track of what you are eating.
- Eat a healthy snack when you are hungry rather than waiting until you are starving.
- Include some form of protein in snacks to hold your over for longer.
- Stock up on snack cups. Mini containers help with portion control.
- Choose whole foods for snacks; skip the “processed” junk.
- Check serving sizes on packaged foods– sometimes they contain more than one serving.
- For work and school, select travel-friendly snacks.
- Try to think outside of the box. A small portion of leftover dinner or lunch could easily become a snack. For instance, a small slice of pizza or 200 calories worth of rice and beans would make a filling and nutritious snack.
- If you have already eaten your snack, try a mint (or gum) to keep your mouth satisfied.
Snack Ideas for 200 Calories or Less
- 1/2 whole wheat English muffin with 1 tbsp peanut butter or nut butter
- 12 ounce latte made with nonfat or soy milk
- Sliced apple or pear with 1 1/2 ounce of cheese
- Banana slices with 1 tbsp of peanut butter
- 1 hard boiled egg + a piece of fresh fruit
- 1/2 cup tuna salad with whole grain crackers
- Yogurt with high-fiber cereal
- Instant oatmeal with fresh berries
- 1/4 cup dried cranberries (or other dried fruit) + 1/4 cup cottage cheese
- 1 serving of whole grain crackers with 1 1/2 of cheese
- Raw veggies + 1/4 cup hummus + 1/2 whole wheat pita
- Instant oatmeal made with low-fat milk + 2 tsp of honey or maple syrup
- 1 Larabar (or similar bar) + 1 piece of fresh fruit
- 1 cup tomato or vegetable soup + whole wheat crackers
- 1/2 cup rice pudding + 1 tbsp raisins
- Whole wheat wrap + 1 tbsp of nut butter + raisins + sliced almonds
- I cup chocolate soy milk + 1 small banana
- Frozen waffle + 1 tbsp apple or pumpkin butter
- 1 piece of quality chocolate + 1 piece of fresh fruit
- Light microwavable popcorn + raw veggies
- Sliced cantaloup + 1/4 cup cottage cheese + 2 tsp sunflower seeds
- Small homemade smoothie (1 cup soy milk, 1 banana, ice, and 1 tbsp peanut butter)
- 1/2 cup shelled edamame with sea salt
- 4 pitted dates + 1/4 cup whole almonds
- 1/2 peanut butter and jelly sandwich on whole wheat
- 2 sticks of string cheese + raw veggies or 1 cup V8
- 1 piece of whole wheat toast with melted low-fat cheese and a slice of tomato
- Greek yogurt + fresh berries
- Pita triangles + hummus
{ 21 comments… read them below or add one }
I am totally a snacker too. Thanks for the list of different ideas, some of the things on there are stuff I would haven’t thought of!
This is so cool, thanks for all the ideas!
great suggestions!
I too like to snack. Thanks for the ideas.
Great tips!! Especially the one with the Larabar
great tips, I have to work on my grazing problem! Add some great new snack ideas. Just to be sure a larabar and a piece of fruit would be more than 200 calories, right?
Great snack ideas…I think I’ll link this to my blog tomorrow!!
Great tips! I am a snacker too!
Great Post!
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haha, this was actually the reason why i wanted to comment ;P
Thanks so much for the great ideas!
I am so printing this out great snack ideas! I will have to mention them on my blog for others:)
I too am a snacky snackerton. Thanks for the new ideas!
@Rika: VERY CUTE!!! Thanks!
@melissa: Yea, probably, but it depends on the fruit and the Larabar. I think I was thinking of a clementine when I was typing up the list.
Thanks for the snack ideas, Tina! I am always afraid to snack and then lose control of calories but I like the 200kcal rule.
Thanks, Tina! These are all fabulous snack ideas. My favorite is definitely soy yogurt and granola. YUM!
I love snacks! Those are great snack ideas!!
Awesome snack list – although, I agree; not all of those would be under 200 calories. There’s really no need to limit yourself to a set number though. As long as you’re not REALLY overdoing it, and as long as you’re making smart choices, you should be fine.
Sometimes my snacks are more like “mini meals” at 400 calories since I like to break up my intake throughout the day. Another good exuse to eat more – exercise! Hahah.
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