Healthy & Low Calorie Snacks.

Some days, the usual satisfying calorie intake just isn't enough. Today was one of those days. Today was a test of my self-control as I could have eaten everything in sight! I was fine at school as I had only packed my usual intake and I only eat what is in my lunch box, however, I knew when I got home, it would be a whole new ball game. I had to ensure that I kept myself busy. I did the grocery shopping on the way home from school and stuck to the shopping list. (Shopping on an empty stomach is the worst as you are more tempted to buy the processed and packaged stuff you really don't need or want for that matter!) I then did a few loads of washing, got my gym gear out for tomorrow, did some online shopping for Christmas gifts and then prepared and cooked dinner. Ok, ok- in all honesty, I did cave in and have two cruskits with a thin spread of peanut butter to carry me over until dinner time. But after uploading this little sneaky snack into MyFitnessPal, I convinced myself that my afternoon treat wasn’t so bad. It was obvious right from the start of the day that I was going to need an extra snack today and I guess a snack such as this is not as bad as others. Sometimes when we don’t listen to our bodies and we become hungry, we will often over indulge or indulge in quick, ready and easy (no good) foods.

So I’ve compiled a list of my favourite snacks that may be beneficial to you should you ever feel that you deserve or simply crave a little extra.

The following snacks are all 100 calories or below. You’re welcome :)

CRAVING THE CARBS?English Muffin: ½ English muffin (no butter)Popcorn: 1½ cups microwaved popcorn or 3 cups air poppedPretzels: 8 pretzel twists

SET ON SOMETHING SWEET?Banana: 1 medium bananaRockmelon: ½ cup slicedGrapes: 17 medium grapesBlackberries: 1 cupBlueberries: 1 cupKiwi: 2 medium kiwiOrange: 1 medium orange or 2 little cutiesStrawberries: 1 cupCarrots: raw= 1 whole or ½ cup cookedLettuce: 1 cup with no dressingApple: 1 medium appleWatermelon: 2 cups

 DREAMING ABOUT DAIRY?Skim milk: 1 cupYogurt: ½ cup (A personal fav of mine is Nestle Soleil Vanilla)Cottage Cheese: ½ cup

 SOMETHING MORE SUBSTANTIAL?Hard Boiled egg: 1 eggBaked Potato: ½ medium baked, no toppingsSweet Potato: 1 small baked one is only 55 caloriesAlmonds: 13 almondsAvocado: ¼ of a medium avocadoBroccoli: 1 cupHummus: 3 TbspPistachios: 25Granola: 3 tbsp

 WHEN SWEETS JUST AREN’T SWEET ENOUGH!Peanut Butter: 2 tspDark Chocolate: 3 squares