SNACKING!

ekbontje

OK, here's something I've learned in my last 3 weeks of a healthy lifestyle: I can eat healthy. I can skip cookies and pastries. But I have to skip them altogether, there is no such thing as having a little bit. Case in point...

My trigger foods are cookies and other baked delicacies. I have for the most point cut them entirely for the last 3 weeks, and I haven't missed them! When I really need some chocolate a 100-cal bag of Oreo Thinsations or Chocolaty Drizzle Crispy Minis will tide me over. But last night I was performing in a play, and one girl in the cast baked rocky road fudge bars with walnuts. Well, I mean, I was healthy all day and still had about 400 calories to spare, so I decided to have one little square. They were homemade, after all, and it would be rude. But then someone else made snickerdoodles! So I took 2 little ones. And one more. And then a chocolate chip cookie. And a handful of chocolate-covered raisins. And then, thank God, I had to go on stage, but Lord help me if I didn't keep staring longingly at that snack table all night!

I didn't need those foods. I wasn't hungry. And if I hadn't had the first one, I could have ignored the chocolate and stuck to the cucumbers and grapes, as I have every other night. Now I'm not beating myself up for this, but I do recognize that it was a really important lesson! I am not one of those people who can be happy with one bite of dessert. So, I need to order the fruit instead. Or the sorbet. Or insert healthier choice here.

So, here is what I have found works when I really need to snack:
-Celery dipped in salsa for a crunchy, satisfying, ridiculously low-cal snack. And because I'm not eating chips and salsa, satisfies that need!
-5 low-salt low-fat Breton crackers with a wedge of Skinny Cow spread over for a 105-cal snack with a little substance and protein, when I'm actually hungry
-Vanilla low-fat yogurt with raspberries or strawberries when I need a sweet fix, usually in the evening
-Smokehouse Blue Diamond almonds (90-cal pack) and a Coke Zero in my purse to avoid the popcorn and get my salty fix at the movies
-giant Earl Grey tea with a little skim milk and splenda instead of my usual latte. Still get caffeine, and can drink a lot more for fewer calories
-Caramel chocolate rice cakes with my afternoon coffee, when I am most likely to want to buy a cookie

Thanks to these snacks and others, combined with some healthy, high-protein meals, means I have not been hungry once on my 1490-calorie a day diet. Any other awesome snack ideas?

gameovergt

good tips

Ashia1317

Me too. I've recognized there's no such thing as "a little bit" for me.

I don't keep any of that stuff in the house. I can't control myself. And I always had chocolate cravings. I gave up ALL junk and candy foods for Lent. Quit - cold turkey. Didn't think I could, but I'm not doing so bad. My TOM is trying to cause chaos, but I'm fighting. I've been using fruits and yogurts for desserts. I replaced any chips with sandwiches with carrots or celery sticks for that "crunch!". Greek yogurt or flavored oatmeal with almonds has replaced my morning cereal. And almonds, PB, apples, oranges and string cheese I keep around for snack time. And I make "mock" Sweet Tea out of herbal w/ packet of Equal - not the same as McD's Sweet Tea, but it beats some of those cravings.

CatchMom11

I like the Fiber One Blueberry Muffins, Special K crackers, pretty much any type of fruit, celery and peanut butter (reduced fat of course), almonds (raw or cocoa if I've got a sweet tooth), carrots, roasted soy beans, sugar free pudding or jello, organic fruit strips, quaker mini delights, 100 calorie bag of smart pop with some spray butter, etc.

Strazis

I understand. 5 jellybeans leads to 50 for me. I just have to say no! A great salty snack ( I also sometimes add a wedge of laughing cow cheese to this - love that stuff) Quakes toasted Rosemary and Garlic Rice cakes.