Need help with healthy snack ideas please

mamaflomo

I just started using MFP on Monday and have been doing ok staying near my calorie goal. One thing I've noticed though is that when I'm hungry and I do have extra calories I can eat as a snack, I have a hard time finding something that really appeals to me. I am not even that big of fan of Graham Crackers, but I ate those a couple times this week for a snack just b/c they were here.
What are some of your favorites?

TArnold2012

I play snack by ear eating what my body is craving. Most often its fruit (banana, peach, plum, grapes, lots of cantaloupe) but I never limit myself from anything. I occasionally have ice cream, skinny cow chocolate, peanut butter chewy bars, yogurt raisins, nuts, and even a little debbie 100 calorie peanut butter nutty bar. Some people will say I am doing it wrong but doing what keeps me from throwing in the towel is what I feel is most important. I have found that listening more to my body is what makes me most successful.

GuybrushThreepw00d

Almonds, sunflower seeds, apples, bananas, crackerbread, protein shake.

tbruegg

I like your thinking about listening to our bodies. There are times that I eat all around what I really want then crash and eat what I really wanted in the first place now I've really eaten too much. So I agree listen to your cravings. In moderation of course.........

HipposRDangerous

I really like Honeycrisp apples and strawberries for a sweet snack. For a more savory snack I like laughing cow cheese on a few (5 max) crackers or natural peanut butter, or if I'm really hungry but not quite time for a meal I have made tuna salad substituting humus instead of mayonnaise and eat that on either endive or crackers. Many of times I'll drink a full glass of water before deciding what to eat to figure out whether I'm hungry because I'm bored...or because I'm in need of food.

today6212

honey crisp apples sliced thin, peanut butter on no sugar wheat toast, sooo good. a couple egg whites fills me up, baby carrets and peanut butter(weird sounding but good).

jenniekw

Kind Bars are my Fav and Cocoa Almonds

oberpfalz

Caramel Ricecake with a smear of peanutbutter. Yummy.

mamaflomo

Thank you all for the great ideas and pointers!

angelxe1

apple slices with dried cranberries or cheese, peanut butter and baby carrot, banana and peanut butter toast, wheat thins and apples, wheat thins and hummus, quaker oats chewy chocolate oatmeal bar, handful of cashews, any fruit really.

cramernh

Fresh vegetables with a side my homemade Southwestern Garden Ranch dressing... I made some for work a couple weeks back and it was nearly all gone!

Got fed up with people bringing in junk food and decided to bring in a tray. Saw people flock to it like mad-nuts! lol!!!

Anyhoo - it keeps me full and content and not hungry for quite a while

Heavyd2g

Quavers, 88 cals

lajuice7

what's your southwestern ranch dressing made of?

sounds interesting..mmm...

coliema

Carrots, brocolli, cucumber, celery, cauliflower, green peppers with ranch dressing.
Goldfish crackers.
Fruit.
Granola bars.

ChristineS_51

Almonds are good. Travel well, healthy fat, low carb, tasty, lots of crunching to keep your jaws happy

There are threads on MFP with snack ideas, I can never find them again so I copied the ideas ... hang on ..... found it! Thanks to whomever first posted these ideas - lots to think on here - I haven't tried them all!

SNACKS 100 CALS

1. Mini PB&F: One fig Newton with 1 teaspoon peanut butter.
2. Chocolate Banana: Half a frozen banana dipped in two squares of melted dark chocolate.
3. Frozen grapes (any color): 1 cup (about 28 grapes), stuck in the freezer for 2+ hours.
4. Honeyed Yogurt: 1/2 cup nonfat Greek yogurt with a dash of cinnamon and 1 teaspoon honey.
5. Spiced Orange: One orange— about the size of a tennis ball— sprinkled with cinnamon.
6. Grilled Pineapple: 2 1/4-inch thick pineapple rounds (about 1 cup), grilled (or sautéed) for two minutes or until golden.
7. Berries n’ Cream: 1 cup blueberries with 2 tablespoons whipped topping.
8. Stuffed Figs: Two small dried figs with 1 tablespoon reduced-fat ricotta stuffed inside. Sprinkle with cinnamon.
9. Oats n’ Berries: 1/3 cup rolled oats (cooked with water), topped with cinnamon and 1/4 cup freshberries.
10. Dark Chocolate: One block, or three squares.
11. Nut-Stuffed Date: One Medjool Date filled with one teaspoon natural unsalted almond butter.
12. Chocolate Milk: 6 ounces skim milk mixed with 2 teaspoons chocolate syrup.
13. Cinnamon Applesauce: 1 cup unsweetened applesauce. Or, try this homemade version!
14. Citrus-Berry Salad: 1 cup mixed berry salad (raspberries, strawberries, blueberries, and/or blackberries) tossed with one tablespoon fresh-squeezed orange juice.
15. Maple-Pumpkin Yogurt: 1/2 cup non-fat regular yogurt (go Greek for extra protein!) with 2 tablespoons pumpkin puree and 1 teaspoon maple syrup… like this!
16. Chocolate Pudding: One 4oz package. Try a fat/sugar free version or a homemade one!
17. Chocolate Covered Strawberries: Five strawberries dipped in two squares melted dark chocolate.
18. Tropical Juice Smoothie: 1/4 cup pineapple juice, orange juice, and apple juice, blended with ice.
19. Vanilla and Banana Smoothie: 1/2 cup sliced banana, 1/4 cup nonfat vanilla yogurt, and a handful of ice blended until smooth.
20. MYO Banana Chips: One sliced banana dipped in lemon juice and baked.
21. Baked Apple: One tennis ball-sized apple, cored, filled with 1 teaspoon brown sugar and cinnamon, and baked until tender.
22. Fruity Waffles: One 7-grain frozen waffle toasted and topped with 1/4cup fresh mixed berries.
23. Skinny S’more: Two graham crackers with one roasted marshmallow and one small square dark chocolate.
24. Cinnamon Graham Crackers & Peanut butter: Two graham cracker squares with 1 teaspoon peanut butter and a sprinkle of cinnamon.
25. Cereal and Milk: 1/2 cup rice krispies with 1/2 cup skim milk.
26. Milk n’ Cookies: Five animal crackers with 1/2 cup skim milk.
27. Warm Spiced Cider: 6 ounces apple cider with sprinkles of cinnamon and nutmeg, warmed.
28. Citrus Sherbet: 1/2 cup lime sherbet (about one standard-sized ice-cream scoop) with 1/2 sliced kiwi.
29. Café Latte: 8 ounces steamed skim milk with 1 shot espresso.
30. Jelly Beans: 25 of ‘em! Although we don’t recommend these.
31. Marshmallow Pear: 1/2 pear diced and topped with 1 tablespoon marshmallow fluff.
32. Protein Shake: One scoop protein powder with 8 ounces water (choose from tasty powder flavors like cookies n’ cream and chocolate peanut butter!).
33. M.Y.O. Popsicle: 8 ounces lemonade frozen in an ice pop mold, or use a small paper cup as a mold.
34. Apple Chips: Munch on 3/4 cup of kinds like these, or use this recipe!
35. Carrots n’ Hummus: About 10 baby carrots with 2 tablespoons hummus.
36. Pistachios: A couple handfuls— about 25 nuts (Crackin’ them open will take more time and avoid grabbing 25 more).
37. Cheese n’ Crackers: Five Kashi 7-grain crackers with 1 stick reduced-fat string cheese.
38. Dippy Egg: One over easy egg with 1/2 slice whole-wheat toast, sliced (to dip in yolk!).
39. Cheesy Breaded Tomatoes: Two roasted plum tomatoes sliced and topped with 2 tablespoons breadcrumbs and a sprinkle of parmesan cheese.
40. Curried Sweet Potato: One medium sweet potato (about 5 inches long) cooked for six minutes in the microwave and mashed with 1 teaspoon curry, and a sprinkle of salt and pepper.
41. “Cheesy” Popcorn: 2 cups air-popped popcorn with 1 tablespoon nutritional yeast— it’ll taste like real cheese!
42. Guacamole stuffed Egg Whites: Halve a hardboiled egg, remove yolk, and stuff the empty space with 2 tablespoons guacamole (avocado, lime, cilantro and salt).
43. Grilled Spinach and Feta Polenta: 3 oz polenta (about the size of a deck of cards) cooked with 1 1/2 cups water and topped with 1 teaspoon feta cheese and a handful spinach.
44. Soy Edamame: 1/4 cup boiled Edamame with 1 teaspoon soy sauce.
45. Dijon Pretzels: Two pretzel rods with 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard.
46. Crunchy Curried Tuna Salad: 1/2 cup canned tuna with 1 teaspoon curry powder, 1 tablespoon chopped red onion, and two ribs celery (chopped).
47. Greek Tomatoes: One tomato (about the size of a tennis ball) chopped and mixed with 1 tablespoon feta and a squeeze of lemon juice.
48. Shrimp Cocktail: Eight medium sized shrimp boiled and served with 2 tablespoons classic cocktail sauce.
49. Smoked Beef Jerky: About 1 ounce— look for low sodium versions!
50. Cheddar and Tomato Soup: 1/2 cup tomato soup with 1 tablespoon shredded low-fat cheddar cheese.
51. Kale Chips: 1/2 cup raw kale— stems removed— baked with 1 teaspoon olive oil at 400° until crisp.
52. Sweet Potato Fries: One light-bulb sized sweet potato sliced, tossed with 1 teaspoon olive oil, and baked at 400° for 10 minutes.
53. Cucumber Sandwich: 1/2 English muffin with 2 tablespoons cottage cheese and three slices of cucumber.
54. Turkey Roll-Ups: Four slices smoked turkey rolled up and dipped in 2 teaspoons honey mustard.
55. Mixed Olives: About 8 olives.
56. Antipasto Plate: One Pepperocini, a 1/2 inch cube of cheddar cheese, one slice pepperoni, and one olive.
57. Pumpkin Seeds: 2 tablespoons pumpkin seeds, sprayed with oil (just a spritz!) and baked at for 400° for 15 minutes or until brown. Sprinkle with kosher salt.
58. Choco-Soy Nuts: 3 tablespoons soy nuts with 1 teaspoon cocoa nibs.
59. Wasabi Peas: About 1/3 cup of these green treats.
60. Balsamic Veggies: 3 cups raw peppers (any color!) dipped in 2 tablespoons balsamic reduction.
61. Cheesy Roasted Asparagus: Four spears (spritzed with olive-oil spray) and topped with 2 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese, baked for 10 minutes at 400°.
62. Cucumber salad: One large cucumber (sliced) with 2 tablespoons chopped red onion and 2 tablespoons apple-cider vinegar.
63. Spinach and Feta Egg-White Scramble: Three egg whites scrambled and mixed with 1/2 cup raw spinach and 1 tbsp feta cheese. Cook in frying pan or zap in microwave until egg whites are no longer runny (about 1-2 minutes).
64. Crunchy Kale Salad: 1 cup kale leaves chopped with 1 teaspoon honey and 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar.
65. Chick Pea Salad: 1/4 chickpeas with 1 tablespoon sliced scallions, a squeeze of lemon juice, and 1/4 cup diced tomatoes.
66. Grilled Garlic Corn on the Cob: One small-sized ear brushed with 1 teaspoon sautéed minced garlic and 1 teaspoon olive oil, grilled until tender.
67. Pretzels & Cream Cheese: 15 mini pretzel sticks with 2 tablespoons fat-free cream cheese.
68. Bacon Brussels Salad: Seven brussel spouts thinly sliced and mixed with one piece lean bacon, chopped.
69. Rosemary Potatoes: 1/3 cup thinly sliced potato tossed with 1 teaspoons olive oil and a teaspoon of chopped rosemary.
70. Spicy Black Beans: 1/4 cup black beans with 1 tablespoon salsa and 1 tablespoon non-fat Greek yogurt.
71. Caprese Salad: 1 ounce (hockey puck sized) of fresh mozzarella with 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes and 2 teaspoons of balsamic vinegar.
72. Goldfish: About 40 fishies…try the cheddar kind!
73. Chips n’ Salsa: 10 baked tortilla chips with 1/4 cup salsa.
74. Mini Ham Sandwich: Two slices honey-baked ham with 2 teaspoons honey mustard rolled in a lettuce leaf.
75. Lox Bagel: 1/2 whole-wheat mini bagel with two thin slices of lox.
76. Chocolate Trail Mix: Eight almonds, four chocolate chips, and 1 tablespoon raisins.
77. Apples and Cheese: 1 non-fat mozzarella cheese stick with half of a baseball-sized apple (any variety), sliced.
78. PB & Celery: 1 medium celery stalk with 1 tablespoon peanut butter.
79. Cottage Cheese Melon Boat: 1 cup melon balls with 1/2 cup non-fat cottage cheese.
80. Carrot and Raisin Salad: 1 cup shaved carrots with 2 tablespoons raisins and 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar.
81. Tropical Cottage Cheese: 1/2 cup non-fat cottage cheese with 1/2 cup fresh mango and pineapple, chopped.
82. Blue-Cheese Stuffed Apricots: Three dried apricots with 1 tablespoon crumbled blue cheese.
83. Rice Cake and Almond Butter: One rice cake (try brown rice!) with 2 teaspoons almond butter.
84. Sweet n’ Spicy Pecans: Five pecans roasted with 2 teaspoons maple syrup and 1 teaspoon cinnamon.
85. Apples n’ Peanut Butter: 1/2 an apple, sliced and dipped in 1 teaspoon natural peanut butter.
86. Chocolate Hazelnut Crackers: Four wheat thins dipped in 1 teaspoon Nutella (or other hazelnut spread).
87. Strawberry Salad: 1 cup raw spinach with 1/2 cup sliced strawberries and 1 tablespoon balsamic.
88. Cacao-Roasted Almonds: Pop in eight almonds like these
89. half a can of tuna with a tablespoon of dijon mustard with cracked pepper (from misswhitneyyy)
90. 100 calorie pack of Cocoa Roasted Almonds (trishgrace)
91. soak grapes in water for an hour and then freeze them (jeffdoc)
92. 2 slices of regular-cut bacon is roughly 80 calories (Shfiftyfive)
93. one light mini baby bell (50cal) and half a cucumber (25 cal) filling (BriaMc)
94. make ice cubes with fresh fruit juice today and then crush them up like a healthy slushie (jeffdoc)
95. just under a tablespoon of peanut butter sprinkled with cocoa (amount of peanut butter depends on the kind you like, unsweetened cocoa) (#95-108 from Robin_Bin)
96. a cup of spinach leaves with 1/8 cup of mango salsa
97. small apple or 1/2 large apple, slice and dip in honey
98. a Ginger-Lemon Oatmeal Cookie (Melissa d'Arabian via Foodnetwork)
99. about 3 pieces of vegetable sushi (not the kinds with mayonnaise, avocado or tempura)
100. about 80 grams of Trader Joe's dark chocolate covered ginger
101. 5-8 prunes (depends on brand and size)
102. one piece of fudge (if you can stick to just one piece)
103. a cup of skim milk with cocoa - warm if you like, no sugar
104. homemade smoothie - 1/2 banana, 4 medium strawberries, ice and 2 oz of orange juice, mix in blender with ice (can also freeze the banana pieces and strawberries first)
105. 10 grapes, 40 blueberries and 6 strawberries (cut the grapes in 1/2 and cut up the strawberries for even more pieces)
106. 4" pancake with 3 sliced strawberries on top
107. cup of miso soup
108. cup of honey glazed carrots
109. 2 cups of gazpacho (brneydgrlie)
110. 100g sweet potato with paprika, chilli and garlic salt sprinkled on it. Microwave for 4-5 mins, under the grill for 10 and you have healthy chilli fries/chips (Matt_Wild)
111. an ear of corn on the cob (Robin_Bin)
112. a cup of skim milk (Robin_Bin)
113. 1 wedge of Lite Laughing Cow cheese with 12 Special K crackers (95 cal) (bakz4)
114. popcorn and nutritional yeast! Really good and nutritional yeast has a decent amount of B12 so it's great for anyone who doesn't eat a lot of meat in their diet. (cheezy_blasters)
115. 1 Mallow cup (LessLikeHer)
116. Skinny Cow Ice Cream - the Chocolate Truffle Ice Cream Bar

CassandraChloeJ

Popcorn Indiana, Quaker rice cakes - the mini kind. There are both sweet and salty flavors with both of these brands. Of course, fruits and veggies are always awesome. I love blueberries and apples. Cucumbers with hummus, or tomatoes with a little salt and pepper. And when I am craving ice cream I love Blue Bunny Sweet Freedom caramel and vanilla swirl. It is only 70 calories. Good luck! : )

August_1958

Save yourself some money and processed food intake by pre-selecting some non-perishable snacks and dividing them up in snack-size baggies. They are ready to grab and go when you are ready to run out the door!!

My favorite snacks are: fresh fruits, smoked almonds, old fashioned popped-popcorn, cereal and raisins (favorite is Smart Start cereal with 100% vitamins) and this is good to add to yogurt. It makes you think you have crunchy granola in the yogurt without the hundreds of calories! Make it your own!

TavistockToad

boiled eggs!

ChocFiend

just bumping for now

Bianca1972

I've been eating apples with peanut butter since I was a kid so I'm going to suggest that...but make it a small (lunchbox sized) apple and a teaspoon or two of peanut butter.

The crunch & sweetness of the apple is really satisfying and the peanut butter will help with the protein.

KS_4691

Try making a trail mix bag with beef jerky, raw nuts, and dried berries and just eat it throughout the day.

bsuew

love cantelope, watermelon, peanuts or peanut butter. All depends on what I have and how hungry I really feel.

KS_4691

boiled eggs!

or this.

sarahmoo12

yoghurt, nuts, fruit, carrot sticks !

MonkeyBars

feeling snacky?!?!?!? eat some meat! yum yum - now you're full up!

if you eat processed carbs, you'll want more very soon.......

I tested myself the other nite, choccy biscuit, ooooh nice, I'll have another....oooooh that was good,
shall I have another.....

I wasn't getting full....I was acting like a crack addict....more more more!

So I had 4 rashers of bacon with a a little chicken!
BOOM
full up in 2 mins!

WendyTerry420

My favorite snacks are peanuts, cheese, carrot sticks, celery with peanut butter, grapes, and crackers.

WendyTerry420

if you eat processed carbs, you'll want more very soon.......

...Which is a good thing if you are close to your next meal. I usually only choose protein-ish snacks like nuts if I have more than two hours before my next meal. Otherwise, I just want to stave my hunger for a short time and I *want* to be hungry again in an hour or two.

Katbody10

Great Snack Ideas!

zenchild

Depends on whether on want salty or sweet. If I want something salty I warm up some bean dip. I make dip out of white beans, roasted garlic and olive oil. Take a can or two of white beans, drain them and dump in the food processor. Peel a few cloves of garlic and pop them in the toaster oven until they start getting browned and squishy (a few cycles). Snip the ends off and toss them in the food processor. Start the processor and very slowly add olive oil until it gets to a good consistency. Season with salt and pepper and it's done. It's fantastic with carrots or any kind of bread/cracker/toast.

I also like pretzels with peanut butter or laughing cow cheese, a slice of toast with cheese, hummus and carrots or crackers, a half sandwich, pickles. Or occasionally I'll have a small portion of whatever leftovers are in the fridge. Sometimes a cup of homemade soup is just right.

If I want something sweet I may have fruit, a bit of dark chocolate or a homemade cookie.

This is all after I decide if I am actually hungry or just bored. If I'm bored I'll have a cup of tea just to keep my mouth busy. Once in a while I'll have a piece of gum but after 5-10 minutes I remember I hate gum and spit it out.

Marlitharn

I've recently become a huge fan of raw sugar snap peas. Satisfyingly crunchy and just a wee bit sweet, 26 calories for a 1 cup serving (I get full, though, waaay before hitting 1 cup), and if you add a couple of tbsp of hummus for dipping you get a nice protein boost for just 50ish more calories, give or take.

chefswife9393

I like the grab and go style snacks. I get the individually wrapped sargento light string cheese and a piece of fruit or a non fat yogurt. I also buy the mini single serve cups with lids((they hold 2 Tblsp) at walmart and fill with light ranch dressing, then make a veggie bag with carrots, celery, peppers, cherry tomato and broccoli and bag them and the ranch together. My kids love this too. depending on the veggies you choose, they last about 5 days in the crisper.