Snacking: Some love it, most that look after their diet hate it.
I’m a huge snacker. I can’t go an hour or two without having a quick bite of something. Sometimes I’m genuinely hungry, but other times I’m just bored and want to chew on something.
To set the record straight, snacking moderately is fine as long as it’s serving your body right.
In fact, snacking can help ease any cravings that may turn into terrible binge-eating habits, so if done incorrectly, it will probably be a problem for those that want to be in a caloric deficit to lose weight.
Having been there, I’ve discovered some good snacking options when I’m trying to watch my calorie intake. They’re often low in calories (150 calories per saving max), high in volume (more than just a few pieces), and can actually keep you full without craving for more!
Here are 7 of my favourite low-calorie snacks. Enjoy!
1. Greek yogurt
Greek yogurt as a snack is a game changer as it always keeps me full with minimal calories. Make sure you get the low-fat or fat-free options so you get maximum protein with minimal fat.
100g (~4 tbsps) of yogurt is only around 75 calories! Add on a couple of blueberries or granola, and you’ll have a healthy sweet snack that keeps you full.
Even better, you can pre-prep these for easy snacking throughout the week!
2. Hard-boiled egg
2 eggs are only 150 calories! The whites are packed with protein so it can serve as a snack that helps you hit your protein goals too. Not to mention, it’s also extremely easy to prep for the entire week ahead as you can cook multiple eggs in one pot.
If you’re not a fan of a fully boiled yolk, you can take it out of the water earlier to get a yolkier texture.
Call me crazy, but I like having mine with some hot sauce!
3. Apple with peanut butter
If you haven’t tried this combination, this is your sign to try it. It may sound weird at first, as it did to me, but the crunch and sweetness of the apple pair so well with the creaminess and nutiness of the peanut butter.
I like to cut 1/2 an apple into chunks, then drizzle 1 tbsp of peanut butter over it. That’s just around 100 calories, and I promise you it’ll satisfy your cravings.
4.Cottage cheese
If you love cheese, cottage cheese is your saviour. It’s as creamy as regular cheese, but with less fat and more protein.
I like spreading cottage cheese on toast, which brings it to just under 150 calories! However, the texture may take you some time to get used to, as it’s curdier and has more liquid than regular cheese.
5. Cucumber with hummus
This is a great combo if you’re looking for something that’s crunchy and refreshing. I like to cut my cucumber into sticks and use the hummus as a dip.
10 cucumber sticks and 2 tbsp of hummus are only around 100 calories, and the fibre and water content will definitely keep you full.
6. Dark chocolate
If you love a good chocolate bar, dark chocolate is your next best alternative. However, it’s not the most bang for your buck as 2 square pieces will already bring you up to 90 calories.
But if you’re craving the taste of chocolate, I don’t see how a snappy rich chocolate snack can go wrong!
7. Popcorn
Unfortunately you don’t have the luxury of sweet and buttery popcorn drizzled in caramel, but you have a healthier option that’s darn near to it!
In fact, this is probably the snack that can last you the longest since you can eat 3 cups of it and it’d still be under 100 calories!
All you need is some fresh kernels, a pot, and some salt. Here’s a recipe that I like, but it’s as simple as popping your own popcorn, which can be done in mere minutes.
These snacks were lifesavers for me when I was losing weight. I hope you found it useful, and let me know if you decide to try any of them in the comments!