Cheap weight loss (non ingredient) foods

JamesEuringer

I am having a trouble finding good tasting snacks and foods that are low cals that aren’t just protein bars or the saddest looking food I have seen. I am very much a snacking over meal person and until I get into the habit of eating meals instead, I need at least a healthy option!! I’ve only lost 10 pounds in the several months I’ve been using mfp (sorry for bad English)

sollyn23l2

Popcorn. Any kind of fruit or vegetable you please. Beef jersey. Hard boiled eggs. Deli meat. You may have to change your concept of what "snack" means. Think of it as a mini meal in between meals.

363days

I'm like you, James and am looking for something that will really fill me up and not break the bank, calorie wise. I am a big fan of popcorn, and Trader Joe's has individual yogurt pretzel bags that are good for my sweet tooth. Now that watermelon and cantaloupe are in season, I use them to fill up with low calories. I'm thinking of making a pasta salad with lots of vegetables.

neanderthin

Healthy means different things to different people. Snacking all day is not conducive for proper metabolic health, so stop snacking exclusively would be my advice.

Too much constant fluctuation in blood sugar ups and downs effecting energy and insulin sensitivity as well as dysregulated signaling for satiety hormones, the constant state of digestion disrupting our metabolism to work efficiently and of course nutrient balance that could be less than ideal. All of which could actually influence over eating.

icrus8

I agree on the not snacking idea but feel hungry about an hour before meal times, so perhaps try to eat a bit more at each meal and drink a glass of water before meals might be an answer

csplatt

protein bars have so much sugar! i only have one snack between lunch and dinner. sometimes it’s grapes and cheese. sometimes it’s mixed nuts with a 70 cal serving of chocolate chips added. sometimes it’s skinnypop popcorn. or a chobani yogurt.

krystaltoy

I just tried the Quest protein cheese crackers they were really good . I am a snacker as well especially when I am at work .Protein shake would work too

ddsb1111

It sounds like the issue might not be hunger, especially if you’re snacking constantly, but more about habit or lack of meal structure. Snacking all day keeps your hunger signals in limbo and makes it easy to overeat without realizing it.

The real fix- introduce at least one full, balanced meal a day with enough protein, fiber, and fat to truly satisfy you. You’ll probably notice your snacking drops without even trying. Once you start breaking the grazing cycle, it gets way easier to control calories and actually feel full.

Snacks aren’t the enemy, but they’re rarely the solution either. Zoom in on the behavior pattern instead of encouraging it.

margiegrady

All great input from those before me. I would add to that, make sure you’re drinking enough water. I often think my body is giving me a hunger signal when I am actually thirsty. When you want a snack, start with water. Some days when I’m struggling to focus..thinking I’m hungry, I’ll think through how much I’ve drank that day and realize I’m substantially short on my fluid intake. Just another component to think about.

meemaw423

I've always been a snacker as well, I've been having to remind myself that food won't always taste great because its meant to be fuel. I've found that I walk away more as long as I keep reminding myself of that!

cherdesigner

Try an energy ball recipe with Chickpeas. The got a bunch online and don’t make me poo so much like protein bars.

paperpudding

I dont think there is anything wrong with being a grazing type eater - I do that too and find it works better for me than large meals

of course the total calorie intake still needs to be right for the day

but things like low calorie veggie sticks or small peices of fruit - they should be easy to fit into any calorie allowance

saralp2516

Are you willing to meal prep a tiny bit? I make a simple no cook chicken "dip" with canned chicken. I either spread it on tortillas, roll, heat (or not depending if I want to wait), eat or dip with a serving of pretzels or cracker.

JjVvDd

My fave go-tos for healthy delicious and cheap snacks -

• non-fat yogurt (with a banana and one tbsp almond butter is pretty satisfying. And if you want something sweet 1/2 tsp almond or vanilla extract makes it sweet without sugar)
• Ka-me rice crackers - the most low cal and yummy crackers I’ve found. These with some yogurt-based tzatziki and turkey lunch meat - so good
• Esti dips - a lot of these are yogurt based. Check the label but a lot of them are very low cal. If you can’t find Esti - Cedar, Cava, and Trader Joe’s all have good options
• Low-fat cottage cheese - I also eat this either sweet with fruit or savory with turkey, salt and pepper
• Popcorn - I like to make it myself - it’s super cheap if you buy the kernels and only takes a few minutes on the stovetop. Then a couple sprays of cooking oil and add your fave spices. I add Trader Joe’s elote seasoning.

I think it’s important to eat when you’re hungry. If you tell yourself you’re not allowed to eat until the right moment you will probably over eat at your meal. A healthy nibble to stave off craving or binging is good as long as you are keeping an eye on the big picture.
Good luck! And Happy Snacking!

disequilibrium

0% plain greek yogourt. High in protein, and I add maple syrup (measured!) , or fruit, or any other toppings.

Pickles, rice crackers, and hummus

Kupla71

Mmmm! I second that. love plain Greek yogurt with maple syrup!

funinthej