Love Crunchy Food, Hate Unhealthy Choices

ajh2133
ajh2133 Posts: 14 Member
in Food and Nutrition
I tend to eat pretty healthy (lean meats, fruits and veggies, and complex carbs like sweet potatoes and oats) but struggle every day with one craving. I crave crunchy things. I love crunching on crackers, popcorn, chips, etc. that are always high in calories and often contain yucky fats and unwanted ingredients. I am wondering if any of you have my same craving and what healthy crunchy snacks you munch on?
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Replies

  • melimomTARDIS
    melimomTARDIS Posts: 1,941 Member
    Air popped popcorn, rice cakes, and pretzels are my go tos. They fall within my definition of healthy.
  • stephanieluvspb
    stephanieluvspb Posts: 997 Member
    Since you like sweet potatoes, slice one in thin pieces and bake till crunchy. I do this alot and its really good.
  • tomatoey
    tomatoey Posts: 5,446 Member
    edited May 2015
    Yeah, I like crunchy things, too. They're not low in calories at all, so you'd have to budget them in, but I go for almonds, 10-15 a day. (I stay away from hazelnuts because I just can't control myself with those.)

    But why not just have popcorn? It's high in fiber. Air pop it (with a hot air popper, not in a microwave) and drizzle a little butter on there.

    http://www.kitchenstuffplus.com/21116-.aspx?src=google&gclid=CMi0-tuN68UCFQ8waQodYiIAqA

    (Microwaved popcorn is often flavoured with diacetyl, which can cause "popcorn lung" if inhaled - not sure what the minimum dose is, it's probably safe enough if you're just making it at home, but who wants to risk that)

  • jgnatca
    jgnatca Posts: 14,464 Member
    That's my thing too. Air popped popcorn. Wasa crackers. Puffed wheat.
  • jgnatca
    jgnatca Posts: 14,464 Member
    Try roasting chickpeas with a little spice and olive oil.
  • MercuryBlue
    MercuryBlue Posts: 886 Member
    ajh2133 wrote: »
    I tend to eat pretty healthy (lean meats, fruits and veggies, and complex carbs like sweet potatoes and oats) but struggle every day with one craving. I crave crunchy things. I love crunching on crackers, popcorn, chips, etc. that are always high in calories and often contain yucky fats and unwanted ingredients. I am wondering if any of you have my same craving and what healthy crunchy snacks you munch on?

    Oh my gosh, pretzels and popcorn I could eat all day long. And while healthier than some alternatives, the sheer amount I could shove in my face (if I allowed it) would be beyond excessive.
  • stephanieluvspb
    stephanieluvspb Posts: 997 Member
    I've seen someone mention making your own popcorn in the microwave using a brown paper bag. not sure the details but i'm sure it can't be that hard
  • Orphia
    Orphia Posts: 7,097 Member
    Carrots.

    Celery.
  • surrealchereal
    surrealchereal Posts: 60 Member
    carrots and an apple eat them every day.
  • Christine_72
    Christine_72 Posts: 16,049 Member
    Cut broccoli into small bite size florets. Put a bit of olive oil, parmesan cheese, garlic,salt n pepper in a freezer bag. Add broccoli and shake to coat. Place on oven tray and bake in the oven till crunchy. Surprisingly filling and tasty.
  • shaumom
    shaumom Posts: 1,003 Member
    Roasted chickpeas work well, too.
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  • arditarose
    arditarose Posts: 15,573 Member
    How is popcorn high in calorie? I was going to eat a whole bag for 240 calories tonight.
  • rainbowbow
    rainbowbow Posts: 7,490 Member
    apples sliced thinly
    carrot sticks
    cucumbers with salt/chili
    pickles
    popcorn
    goldfish crackers
  • ibamosaserreinas
    ibamosaserreinas Posts: 294 Member
    I take a sauce pan with a lid. Dump in about a 1/4 cup of popcorn. Turn the stove on high and shake it over the burner.

    I use olive oil pan spray to get salt or other spices to stick to it.

    It is 31 kcals for a cup.
  • jcook0716
    jcook0716 Posts: 65 Member
    I love those quaker popped snacks the apple cinnamon ones are good. Jicama is super crunchy and healthy
  • bbontheb
    bbontheb Posts: 718 Member
    Im the same way and I really like crunchy foods. My go to are sliced cucumbers and orange and red sweet peppers, and baby carrots. I find if I put a bit of salt on the cukes I get that salty fix, and the nice crunchy fix.
  • annette_15
    annette_15 Posts: 1,657 Member
    I like these

    1FZQtn2.png

    Dry cereal or rice cakes are good too
  • ajh2133
    ajh2133 Posts: 14 Member
    Thanks all for your suggestions! I didn't mention I am allergic to gluten, so I can't have some of those but will look into a lot of them. @stephanieluvspb never thought of that! Great idea! And to all of you suggesting popcorn, I will have to try making my own somehow, probably get a air popper. @arditarose popcorn is definitely not high in calories for how much you can eat in a serving, store bought popcorn usually has a lot of saturated fat and other not so good things for you in it. And when you eat the whole bag in one sitting you end up eating lots of calories purely from the buttery fat.
  • arditarose
    arditarose Posts: 15,573 Member
    ajh2133 wrote: »
    Thanks all for your suggestions! I didn't mention I am allergic to gluten, so I can't have some of those but will look into a lot of them. @stephanieluvspb never thought of that! Great idea! And to all of you suggesting popcorn, I will have to try making my own somehow, probably get a air popper. @arditarose popcorn is definitely not high in calories for how much you can eat in a serving, store bought popcorn usually has a lot of saturated fat and other not so good things for you in it. And when you eat the whole bag in one sitting you end up eating lots of calories purely from the buttery fat.

    I disagree. The bag I buy is 240 calories. And there is nothing wrong with fat. I'm always looking for ways to eat more fat.
  • Christine_72
    Christine_72 Posts: 16,049 Member
    If only i could stop at just 240 calories of popcorn :bawling:
  • LKArgh
    LKArgh Posts: 5,178 Member
    ajh2133 wrote: »
    Thanks all for your suggestions! I didn't mention I am allergic to gluten, so I can't have some of those but will look into a lot of them. @stephanieluvspb never thought of that! Great idea! And to all of you suggesting popcorn, I will have to try making my own somehow, probably get a air popper. @arditarose popcorn is definitely not high in calories for how much you can eat in a serving, store bought popcorn usually has a lot of saturated fat and other not so good things for you in it. And when you eat the whole bag in one sitting you end up eating lots of calories purely from the buttery fat.

    You do not need an air popper. Just use a non-stick pan, brush with oil, add the corn, close the lid, and you have pop corn. It is one of the easiest snacks to prepare.
  • sierraleigh1
    sierraleigh1 Posts: 18 Member
    Kale chips help my crunchy cravings! If you do them just right they are awesome!
    1 bunch of kale
    About a tablespoon of olive oil
    A little salt

    Mix in a bowl, bake at 350 til they are crispy. About 15 minutes and make sure you do not burn them!
  • tat2cookie
    tat2cookie Posts: 1,899 Member
    I make veggie chips with sweet potatoes, beets, and parsnips. I use my dehydrater. I like zucchini and eggplant chips too. I love popcorn. It's definitely my weakness. I either make it on the stove top with coconut oil or air pop it and use ghee.
  • JoRocka
    JoRocka Posts: 17,525 Member
    ajh2133 wrote: »
    Thanks all for your suggestions! I didn't mention I am allergic to gluten, so I can't have some of those but will look into a lot of them. @stephanieluvspb never thought of that! Great idea! And to all of you suggesting popcorn, I will have to try making my own somehow, probably get a air popper. @arditarose popcorn is definitely not high in calories for how much you can eat in a serving, store bought popcorn usually has a lot of saturated fat and other not so good things for you in it. And when you eat the whole bag in one sitting you end up eating lots of calories purely from the buttery fat.

    butter fat is delicious and not bad for you.
    secondly- don't need an air popper.

    I use a giant none stick teflon deep sauce pan (it's 3" tall and like 12" in diameter)- 2 tbsp of bacon renderings- popcorn- lid- go to town.
    Delicious.
  • hgycta
    hgycta Posts: 3,013 Member
    Have you ever heard of Calbee's Harvest Snaps? My local Walmart and BJ's Wholesale sells them, and I'm addicted to their Wasabi Ranch flavor (although they have a bunch of different varieties and I haven't been disappointed with any of them). They're fairly low in calories (around 110 per 28 grams), and have a very nice ratio of fats, carbs, and protein. They're also high in fiber and a source of calcium! They're literally my new favorite thing to snack on!

    Another thing I'd recommend is dry roasted (and lightly salted) edamame. If you're unfamiliar with edamame, they kind of remind me of a mix between dry peas and pistachios. Very delicious and a great source of iron, protein, and fiber! Super convenient and crunchy, as well!
  • coreyreichle
    coreyreichle Posts: 1,031 Member
    I like crunchy food too, like chips, pretzels, and even the occasional granola bar.
  • carakirkey
    carakirkey Posts: 199 Member
    hgycta wrote: »
    Have you ever heard of Calbee's Harvest Snaps? My local Walmart and BJ's Wholesale sells them, and I'm addicted to their Wasabi Ranch flavor (although they have a bunch of different varieties and I haven't been disappointed with any of them). They're fairly low in calories (around 110 per 28 grams), and have a very nice ratio of fats, carbs, and protein. They're also high in fiber and a source of calcium! They're literally my new favorite thing to snack on!

    Another thing I'd recommend is dry roasted (and lightly salted) edamame. If you're unfamiliar with edamame, they kind of remind me of a mix between dry peas and pistachios. Very delicious and a great source of iron, protein, and fiber! Super convenient and crunchy, as well!
    Seconded both suggestions. Harvest Snaps are dried snap peas or dried lentils with flavouring. Even my kids love them. And the dried edamame are great too- I like them as a topping for salads
  • RuNaRoUnDaFiEld
    RuNaRoUnDaFiEld Posts: 5,864 Member
    http://www.hollandandbarrett.com/shop/product/garbanzo-dry-roasted-chickpeas-60098299

    I love these, only 88 calories and they come in different flavours.
  • Sabine_Stroehm
    Sabine_Stroehm Posts: 19,263 Member
    ajh2133 wrote: »
    I tend to eat pretty healthy (lean meats, fruits and veggies, and complex carbs like sweet potatoes and oats) but struggle every day with one craving. I crave crunchy things. I love crunching on crackers, popcorn, chips, etc. that are always high in calories and often contain yucky fats and unwanted ingredients. I am wondering if any of you have my same craving and what healthy crunchy snacks you munch on?

    Today I'm having kale chips with cheddar cheese.
    I love nearly naked popcorn (costco)
    I love beanito chips.

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