Snack ideas so I don't feel hungry

Hi, I am just getting started here and I am hungry! I am looking for some snack ideas that will help me feel satisfied without using too many calories. I am looking for something that is low in sugar grams as I am amazed at how fast those add up when I think I am eating healthily. Any great, delicious ideas? Thx.
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Replies

  • Liftng4Lis
    Liftng4Lis Posts: 15,151 Member
    Peanut butter is my favorite. Plus it helps get the protein up!
  • TMSteiner
    TMSteiner Posts: 3 Member
    Good idea. What do you normally the eat the peanut butter with? Do you buy natural or low fat or anything special?
  • trogalicious
    trogalicious Posts: 4,584 Member
    Good idea. What do you normally the eat the peanut butter with? Do you buy natural or low fat or anything special?
    natural and low fat isn't going to necessarily mean that it's any better for you.
    You're new here, I think this might help.

    1. don't trust the initial setup that MFP provides. If you put in the wrong/inaccurate information, it'll tell you to eat an amount that may not be applicable.
    2. Make sure you eat enough.
    3. Figure out what works for you and is sustainable/healthy/long term.
    4. avoid fads. don't buy in to any "Hey, try the twinkie and vodka diet"
    5. Don't cut out anything now that you don't plan on literally giving up forever.
    6. GET A FOOD SCALE. Weigh everything. No, seriously.
    7. Get an HRM with a chest strap. You'll at least have a better idea of what you're burning. It'll be more accurate than the generic info in the exercise database.. and even more than the cardio machines. This is great for steady state cardio (run/walk/etc)
    8. Don't go balls out. You'll burn out. I see 300 lb people show up here, instantly start working out and cutting their intake SEVERELY... trying to cut out all of their carbs at once.. whatever. Take it slow. Figure out how much you need to eat FIRST in order to lose.. then incorporate exercise.
    9. Don't cardio yourself to death.
    10. Take the information on the forums with a grain of salt. A lot of people that have been here for a while.. and have been successful, may seem jaded. They give out GREAT advice day after day, only to be met with people that refuse to listen.
    11. Eat real food. Not diet food. Not "low fat, sugar free, now without X." It's easier to get/find/count.
    12. don't set time restrictions.
    13. measure yourself weekly. Don't just weigh. Measure and take pictures.
    14 BE PATIENT.
    15. Avoid forum topics that have "1200" in the title. It's just full of butthurt. Lots of it.
    16. If you ask a question on the forum, give as much information as you can ("yes, I have a food scale and weigh my food" is worlds better than "I eat a palm full of miscellaneous boiled chicken parts..sometimes.")
    17. Be honest with yourself and honest with us.
    18. This isn't a game, it's about changing your lifestyle. Do that.

    pretty much that.

    ...and don't fall into the "1200 calorie" vertigo of suck because of:

    the typical MFP users does this:
    1. I wanna lose weight, let's try MFP.
    2. OH! Wow, it tells me I can lose 2 lbs a WEEK? AWESOME!
    3. I just sit at a desk when I'm not working out, I guess I'm sedentary.
    4. MFP tells them 1200 calories, and they don't even eat that.. then they work out on top of it.. creating an even bigger deficit.
    5. Lose a lot, fast, brag about 1200 calorie success.
    6. Come back in a few months trying to figure out why they're dizzy, tired, not losing weight.
    7. Get on the forums, ask why they aren't losing.
    8. Get two responses (I eat 1200 and lose) (I eat 2200 and lose)
    9. Argument ensues about who is right.

    Now. That being said. These threads happen hundreds of times per day. Most times, and I mean really.. seriously.. 95% of the time.. people get the 1200 number because they don't put the right information in when they set up the account. There are a great number of people that are trying to help. I'm one of 'em.

    I'm a hardcore advocate of actually finding out what works for the individual.. by means of other calculators, averages, time, practice, and patience.

    Blanket prescriptions of 1200 calories "because it worked for me" is more harmful to the generic new user than the "figure out what you need to eat." Unfortunately, one is a LOT easier to type.

    Find out what you need: http://scoobysworkshop.com/accurate-calorie-calculator/

    and make sure to read: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1080242-a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants

    ...and here's another approach.

    Block off 6 weeks. log EXACTLY what you eat for those six weeks, weigh at the beginning, weight at the end. If you've lost, you're eating under your TDEE. If you haven't lost, congrats.. you found your TDEE, if you've gained... then you're above TDEE.

    From there, look at how much you lost or gained and you have a rough estimate of how to shift your intake to balance it out.

    Online calculators are great, but they're just estimates. They give you decent ideas for starting points. From there, it's on you to fine tune it.

    edit: with only 15lbs to lose, you should make sure you're not set on the 2lbs loss goal. Set it at 1lb max expected loss, then reevaluate after 6 weeks.
  • quatermore
    quatermore Posts: 94 Member
    Quest bars, any flavor you prefer.
  • greenbeanmama
    greenbeanmama Posts: 12 Member
    My husband snacks a lot on air-popped popcorn.
  • A few ideas I like: Sliced vegetables like carrot, cucumber, kohlrabi, fennel, radish, green beans, or even tomato dressed with a squeeze of lemon juice and some salt, or dipped into hummus. Fruits of all sorts (though they do contain sugar, it's often less than processed snack bars and the like). A piece of whole wheat toast topped with peanut butter and a few slices of cut up banana. A hard boiled egg. Roasted chickpeas (google it for a recipe, they are fabulous!).
  • nuedai
    nuedai Posts: 1
    for me, apples (fuji) my favorite and air popcorn if I can get to it, if those 100 calorie microwave popcorn. Lettuce, Celery and carrots, cabbage, when I want something heavier. They say nuts are good, but they never feel me up or if they do I end up eating to many, kinda like potatoe chips.
  • srd_23
    srd_23 Posts: 43 Member
    I heavily rely on Dannon Light & Fit vanilla yogurt with blue berries on top. Low calorie and tastes sweet. Plus the protein really keeps my hunger down. Its a lifesaver.
  • mangogirl272727
    mangogirl272727 Posts: 95 Member
    2% cottage cheese with either chopped apples OR sliced tomato, black pepper, and dill
    1/4 cup hummus with LOTS of raw veggies (carrots, tomatoes, celery sticks, bell pepper, jicama, cauliflower...)
    1-2 Tablespoons of peanut butter on celery sticks / on 1/2 an apple (always keep the skin on your apples!) / on a sheet of graham cracker
    an apple or pear with a cheese stick
    A couple hard boiled eggs with salt and pepper
  • SnuggleSmacks
    SnuggleSmacks Posts: 3,731 Member
    Air-popped popcorn is a great low-cal snack if you like it (I don't)

    Hummus with veggies (raw sugar snap peas are awesome and crunchy)

    Peanut butter on fruit (apples, pears, bananas, etc.)

    Oatmeal with a half scoop of protein shake powder (for the protein, and for the decadent flavor)

    Frozen yogurt (or non-frozen yogurt)

    Cool Whip Free mixed with fresh berries (blueberry, raspberry, blackberry, etc.)

    Just watch portion sizes. A portion of peanut butter or frozen yogurt is much smaller than you might think it is.
  • tabicatinthehat
    tabicatinthehat Posts: 329 Member
    Apples, eggs, brown rice with chicken or anything really. I just discovered these and I LOVE them. I mostly prefer to cook my own rice, but dang man, one minute? And it has six grams of fiber and six grams of protein. http://www.minuterice.com/en-us/products/234/Multi-GrainMedley.aspx (I swear I don't work for them)
  • Garrett1234
    Garrett1234 Posts: 147 Member
    Fruit!
  • Livingfreetoday
    Livingfreetoday Posts: 35 Member
    I have a few snacks I take with me to the office: 1 cup of berries, 18-20 almonds or pistachios (I'm allergic to walnuts), 2% cottage cheese, celery with 2 Tbs of peanut butter, as many grape tomatoes as I can handle.

    These get me through the day at the office.
  • TMSteiner
    TMSteiner Posts: 3 Member
    Wow! That was amazing to get so many responses in such a short time! Thanks for the good ideas.

    Trogalicious: Thank you for the detailed message. There are somethings you said that spoke directly to me. I have always tried to do too much too fast and burned out after a couple of weeks. Also I am just becoming more aware of the downfalls to "diet" food.
    I went to the links you suggested and found some great info. Thanks for taking the time.
  • schulersam
    schulersam Posts: 17 Member
    I drink nice flavoured hot teas. Makes you full and fruit flavours or Chai makes it seem special. Plus zero calories!!
  • judychicken
    judychicken Posts: 937 Member
    I like Quest bars, Hummus with Baby Carrots, Protein bars, Skinny cow Ice Cream.
  • CRody44
    CRody44 Posts: 737 Member
    Quest bars and fresh fruit.
  • Patttience
    Patttience Posts: 975 Member
    Hi, I am just getting started here and I am hungry! I am looking for some snack ideas that will help me feel satisfied without using too many calories. I am looking for something that is low in sugar grams as I am amazed at how fast those add up when I think I am eating healthily. Any great, delicious ideas? Thx.


    1. EAt bigger meals. Then you won't need snacks. Only snack if your bigger meals are far apart.
    2. if you do the above, a piece of fruit will be fine for you and there's nothing wrong with fruit sugar.
    3. To reduce your sugar count eat less processed foods and cook your food with whole foods primarily. Most bought snack food is processed.
  • CrimsonDiva7
    CrimsonDiva7 Posts: 171 Member
    My go to snacks are: apples and peanut butter, fiber one bars (any flavor), black pepper popcorn and low fat tortilla chips and salsa.
  • F00LofaT00K
    F00LofaT00K Posts: 688 Member
    Many days, half of my calories come from snacks. Check out my diary. Eat whatever you want/whatever you enjoy just do so in moderation and continue to eat at a caloric deficit. Foods that are higher in fat, protein and fiber help you to feel fuller for longer. The more protein I eat each day, the more satisfied I am throughout the day. On the days when I don't follow my macro goals (fat, carb and protein) I usually end up going over my calories because I feel so dang hungry.
  • F00LofaT00K
    F00LofaT00K Posts: 688 Member
    Good idea. What do you normally the eat the peanut butter with? Do you buy natural or low fat or anything special?
    natural and low fat isn't going to necessarily mean that it's any better for you.
    You're new here, I think this might help.

    1. don't trust the initial setup that MFP provides. If you put in the wrong/inaccurate information, it'll tell you to eat an amount that may not be applicable.
    2. Make sure you eat enough.
    3. Figure out what works for you and is sustainable/healthy/long term.
    4. avoid fads. don't buy in to any "Hey, try the twinkie and vodka diet"
    5. Don't cut out anything now that you don't plan on literally giving up forever.
    6. GET A FOOD SCALE. Weigh everything. No, seriously.
    7. Get an HRM with a chest strap. You'll at least have a better idea of what you're burning. It'll be more accurate than the generic info in the exercise database.. and even more than the cardio machines. This is great for steady state cardio (run/walk/etc)
    8. Don't go balls out. You'll burn out. I see 300 lb people show up here, instantly start working out and cutting their intake SEVERELY... trying to cut out all of their carbs at once.. whatever. Take it slow. Figure out how much you need to eat FIRST in order to lose.. then incorporate exercise.
    9. Don't cardio yourself to death.
    10. Take the information on the forums with a grain of salt. A lot of people that have been here for a while.. and have been successful, may seem jaded. They give out GREAT advice day after day, only to be met with people that refuse to listen.
    11. Eat real food. Not diet food. Not "low fat, sugar free, now without X." It's easier to get/find/count.
    12. don't set time restrictions.
    13. measure yourself weekly. Don't just weigh. Measure and take pictures.
    14 BE PATIENT.
    15. Avoid forum topics that have "1200" in the title. It's just full of butthurt. Lots of it.
    16. If you ask a question on the forum, give as much information as you can ("yes, I have a food scale and weigh my food" is worlds better than "I eat a palm full of miscellaneous boiled chicken parts..sometimes.")
    17. Be honest with yourself and honest with us.
    18. This isn't a game, it's about changing your lifestyle. Do that.

    pretty much that.

    ...and don't fall into the "1200 calorie" vertigo of suck because of:

    the typical MFP users does this:
    1. I wanna lose weight, let's try MFP.
    2. OH! Wow, it tells me I can lose 2 lbs a WEEK? AWESOME!
    3. I just sit at a desk when I'm not working out, I guess I'm sedentary.
    4. MFP tells them 1200 calories, and they don't even eat that.. then they work out on top of it.. creating an even bigger deficit.
    5. Lose a lot, fast, brag about 1200 calorie success.
    6. Come back in a few months trying to figure out why they're dizzy, tired, not losing weight.
    7. Get on the forums, ask why they aren't losing.
    8. Get two responses (I eat 1200 and lose) (I eat 2200 and lose)
    9. Argument ensues about who is right.

    Now. That being said. These threads happen hundreds of times per day. Most times, and I mean really.. seriously.. 95% of the time.. people get the 1200 number because they don't put the right information in when they set up the account. There are a great number of people that are trying to help. I'm one of 'em.

    I'm a hardcore advocate of actually finding out what works for the individual.. by means of other calculators, averages, time, practice, and patience.

    Blanket prescriptions of 1200 calories "because it worked for me" is more harmful to the generic new user than the "figure out what you need to eat." Unfortunately, one is a LOT easier to type.

    Find out what you need: http://scoobysworkshop.com/accurate-calorie-calculator/

    and make sure to read: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1080242-a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants

    ...and here's another approach.

    Block off 6 weeks. log EXACTLY what you eat for those six weeks, weigh at the beginning, weight at the end. If you've lost, you're eating under your TDEE. If you haven't lost, congrats.. you found your TDEE, if you've gained... then you're above TDEE.

    From there, look at how much you lost or gained and you have a rough estimate of how to shift your intake to balance it out.

    Online calculators are great, but they're just estimates. They give you decent ideas for starting points. From there, it's on you to fine tune it.

    edit: with only 15lbs to lose, you should make sure you're not set on the 2lbs loss goal. Set it at 1lb max expected loss, then reevaluate after 6 weeks.

    Also, whatever this guy says is pretty much gold. Take his advice.
  • Get a little bit of fat, particularly from veggies or nuts) with each meal and snack. I put a tsp of almond butter (27 calories) in 1/2 scoop of prtein powder, 1/4 of a small avocado (60 calories) with turkey slices or egg whites.
  • FatFreeFrolicking
    FatFreeFrolicking Posts: 4,252 Member
    Veggies with guacamole
    Homemade tortilla chips with guacamole
    Veggies and hummus
    Pretzels with hummus
    Apples with peanut butter
    Bananas with peanut butter
    Celery with peanut butter
    Celery with cream cheese
    Can of tuna
    Popcorn
    Protein bar
    Protein shake
    Almonds
    Cashews
    Pistachios
    Peanuts
    Any other fruit that you enjoy
  • FitOldMomma
    FitOldMomma Posts: 790 Member
    Air popped popcorn! I very lightly spray it with butter flavored PAM and a tiny sprinkle of kosher salt.

    3 cups full for only 100 calories.

    Stick pretzels lightly dipped into French's mustard.
  • hearthwood
    hearthwood Posts: 794 Member
    All natural peanut butter. I use Skipoy all natural with honey, the smooth kind. And I'll just eat it out of a spoon.
  • sdelo7
    sdelo7 Posts: 43 Member
    Good idea. What do you normally the eat the peanut butter with? Do you buy natural or low fat or anything special?
    natural and low fat isn't going to necessarily mean that it's any better for you.
    You're new here, I think this might help.

    1. don't trust the initial setup that MFP provides. If you put in the wrong/inaccurate information, it'll tell you to eat an amount that may not be applicable.
    2. Make sure you eat enough.
    3. Figure out what works for you and is sustainable/healthy/long term.
    4. avoid fads. don't buy in to any "Hey, try the twinkie and vodka diet"
    5. Don't cut out anything now that you don't plan on literally giving up forever.
    6. GET A FOOD SCALE. Weigh everything. No, seriously.
    7. Get an HRM with a chest strap. You'll at least have a better idea of what you're burning. It'll be more accurate than the generic info in the exercise database.. and even more than the cardio machines. This is great for steady state cardio (run/walk/etc)
    8. Don't go balls out. You'll burn out. I see 300 lb people show up here, instantly start working out and cutting their intake SEVERELY... trying to cut out all of their carbs at once.. whatever. Take it slow. Figure out how much you need to eat FIRST in order to lose.. then incorporate exercise.
    9. Don't cardio yourself to death.
    10. Take the information on the forums with a grain of salt. A lot of people that have been here for a while.. and have been successful, may seem jaded. They give out GREAT advice day after day, only to be met with people that refuse to listen.
    11. Eat real food. Not diet food. Not "low fat, sugar free, now without X." It's easier to get/find/count.
    12. don't set time restrictions.
    13. measure yourself weekly. Don't just weigh. Measure and take pictures.
    14 BE PATIENT.
    15. Avoid forum topics that have "1200" in the title. It's just full of butthurt. Lots of it.
    16. If you ask a question on the forum, give as much information as you can ("yes, I have a food scale and weigh my food" is worlds better than "I eat a palm full of miscellaneous boiled chicken parts..sometimes.")
    17. Be honest with yourself and honest with us.
    18. This isn't a game, it's about changing your lifestyle. Do that.

    pretty much that.

    ...and don't fall into the "1200 calorie" vertigo of suck because of:

    the typical MFP users does this:
    1. I wanna lose weight, let's try MFP.
    2. OH! Wow, it tells me I can lose 2 lbs a WEEK? AWESOME!
    3. I just sit at a desk when I'm not working out, I guess I'm sedentary.
    4. MFP tells them 1200 calories, and they don't even eat that.. then they work out on top of it.. creating an even bigger deficit.
    5. Lose a lot, fast, brag about 1200 calorie success.
    6. Come back in a few months trying to figure out why they're dizzy, tired, not losing weight.
    7. Get on the forums, ask why they aren't losing.
    8. Get two responses (I eat 1200 and lose) (I eat 2200 and lose)
    9. Argument ensues about who is right.

    Now. That being said. These threads happen hundreds of times per day. Most times, and I mean really.. seriously.. 95% of the time.. people get the 1200 number because they don't put the right information in when they set up the account. There are a great number of people that are trying to help. I'm one of 'em.

    I'm a hardcore advocate of actually finding out what works for the individual.. by means of other calculators, averages, time, practice, and patience.

    Blanket prescriptions of 1200 calories "because it worked for me" is more harmful to the generic new user than the "figure out what you need to eat." Unfortunately, one is a LOT easier to type.

    Find out what you need: http://scoobysworkshop.com/accurate-calorie-calculator/

    and make sure to read: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1080242-a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants

    ...and here's another approach.

    Block off 6 weeks. log EXACTLY what you eat for those six weeks, weigh at the beginning, weight at the end. If you've lost, you're eating under your TDEE. If you haven't lost, congrats.. you found your TDEE, if you've gained... then you're above TDEE.

    From there, look at how much you lost or gained and you have a rough estimate of how to shift your intake to balance it out.

    Online calculators are great, but they're just estimates. They give you decent ideas for starting points. From there, it's on you to fine tune it.

    edit: with only 15lbs to lose, you should make sure you're not set on the 2lbs loss goal. Set it at 1lb max expected loss, then reevaluate after 6 weeks.

    That is a great post. Thank you.
  • Bghere1
    Bghere1 Posts: 78 Member
    My husband snacks a lot on air-popped popcorn.

    This works for me, oh and my boy. We always have popcorn in the house. Not always the healthiest kind though
    :drinker:
  • caperchick78
    caperchick78 Posts: 426 Member
    My snacks usually consist of:

    - apple with peanut butter
    - grapes with slice of sharp cheddar cheese
    - yogurt (key lime Geek is my new fav)
    - watermelon or blueberries or strawberries
    - salt free tortilla chips (I eat Que Pasa) with salsa
    - piece of dark chocolate with a few almonds

    I usually go for fruit....but I add in a protein to balance it.....it also helps with satiety. Hope this helps.
  • Jinglez66
    Jinglez66 Posts: 4 Member
    Maybe I am abnormal but I find fruit snacks tend to make more even more hungry. So I always have mini lean beef burger patties ready in my fridge that I cook up with no oil on the grill at around 70 calories per pop. I find protein so much more filling than anything sweet.

    And if I was really hungry, and we all have those days where you'r just hungry no matter what, I'd throw in a lettuce/cucumber salad on the side with lemon juice dressing. Almost a mini meal if you will. Tallies a whopping 100 calories, which is almost nothing and is a lot more satisfying for me than any apple, orange or banana at around the same number of calories.

    For me personally though I don't make snacking a habit, and only have it if it's a must. A snack here, and snack there, it all adds up. Best way is to make sure you're satisfied at your meals so you're not having to watch your snacking constantly. I find it much more troublesome to try and count my snacks along with my meals. 3 square meals pre planned everyday is the way to do it.
  • MoveitlikeManda
    MoveitlikeManda Posts: 846 Member
    I only have one snack a day, usually around 8pm.

    I have 50g mature chedder, 50g celery and 100g apple.

    this is fab!!!! its sweet AND salty so hits both my cravings, its filling and means i then am not sat at 10pm thinking im starving.
    also iv found it hard filling my daily cal goal so the 50g of cheese bumps me up a bit (although im usually still under daily goal)

    if mid morning i feel that I need a snack i will half what iv already weighed out and have half then and keep the other half for my evening snack..... 2 snacks, same cals.