SWEET, SALTY, CRUNCY, SPICY INSPIRATIONS - Printer Friendly

SWEET, SALTY, CRUNCY, SPICY INSPIRATIONS

When your next snack attack hits, give in to temptation—without the guilt. Here, 24 ways to satisfy most any craving, and each less than 250 calories.

Your stomach is growling, your energy is waning, and your next meal is hours away. Whether you've got a hankering for something sweet, salty, spicy or satisfying, we've got a snack for you. These quick and easy treats are low in calories, so you can nibble away and still feel virtuous. (Unless otherwise noted, recipes are designed for one serving.)

SWEET

Sparkling Jell-O
0.6 oz. box sugar-free Jell-O
1 1/2 cups boiling water
2 1/2 cups club soda or seltzer water
Mix the Jell-O with the boiling water until it's dissolved. Refrigerate for 15 minutes. Stir in the soda or seltzer. Cover and refrigerate for 4 hours. Makes 4 1-cup servings.
Per serving: 20 calories, 2 g protein, 0 g carbs, 0 g fat, 0 g fiber.

Iced Mocha
1 packet EAS Chocolate Cream MyoplexLite (or your favorite chocolate meal-replacement shake mix)
1/2 Tbsp. instant espresso powder (instant coffee powder is OK, too, but the espresso provides a richer taste)
6 oz. light soymilk (or fat-free milk)
4 oz. cold water
10 ice cubes
2 Tbsp. Fat Free Reddi Wip (optional)
Add all ingredients except Reddi Wip to a blender. Mix on high speed until the ice is almost completely crushed. (Be careful not to overwhip or it will become thick and aerated.) Pour it into a large glass and top with Reddi Wip. Drink immediately.
250 calories, 30 g protein, 30 g carbs, 3 g fat, 2 g fiber. (With the Reddi Wip)

Oranges with Raspberry Sauce
1/2 cup raspberries
1 tsp. lime juice
1 packet of artificial sweetener, or to taste
1 medium orange, peeled and sectioned
Place the raspberries and lime juice in a food processor or blender. Process until smooth, then strain. Stir in the sweetener and pour the sauce over the orange sections. Enjoy chilled.
95 calories, 2 g protein, 23 g carbs, 1 g fat, 8 g fiber.

Frozen Grapes
Place 1 3/4 cups grapes in a plastic container in a single layer. Freeze until solid.
106 calories, 1 g protein, 29 g carbs, 1 g fat, 2 g fiber.

Fresh Berry Bowl
1 cup fresh strawberries, halved, with stems removed
1/2 cup fresh blackberries
1/2 cup fresh raspberries
Artificial sweetener, if desired
Combine the berries and sweetener in a medium bowl and stir to mix. Refrigerate and eat chilled.
112 calories, 2 g protein, 27 g carbs, 1 g fat, 11 g fiber.

Strawberry Shortcake with Strawberries & Whipped Cream
1/12 of a standard angel food cake
1/2 cup chopped strawberries
2 Tbsp. Cool Whip Free
Place cake on plate and top with berries and Cool Whip.
115 calories, 2 g protein, 26 g carbs, 1 g fat, 2 g fiber.

Kashi Go Lean Crunch with Frozen Yogurt
1/2 cup Kashi Go Lean Crunch
1/2 cup fat-free frozen yogurt
195 calories, 9 g protein, 39 g carbs, 1.5 g fat, 4 g fiber.

SATISFYING

English Muffin Pizza
1/2 whole-wheat English muffin
1/4 cup low-fat marinara or pizza sauce
1 oz. fat-free mozzarella cheese
6 slices turkey pepperoni or veggies, to taste

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Toast the English muffin in the toaster. Top muffin with sauce, cheese and toppings. Bake for 3-5 minutes in preheated oven or until the cheese is melted. Eat immediately. (Note: This doesn't work nearly as well in the microwave.)
190 calories, 17 g protein, 20 g carbs, 2 g fat, 0 g fiber.

Pig in a Blanket
1 fat-free hot dog
2 low-fat refrigerator biscuits
Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Wrap the biscuits around the hot dog. Bake for 12 minutes or until the dough is golden brown and the hot dog is warmed through.
165 calories, 8 g protein, 26 g carbs, 2 g fat, 1 g fiber.

Cheese & Grapes
1 cup grapes
2 sticks low-fat string cheese
180 calories, 15 g protein, 18 g carbs, 5 g fat, 1 g fiber.

Bean Burrito
10-inch low-fat flour tortilla (or low-carb tortilla)
1/4 cup fat-free refried beans
1 oz. low-fat cheddar cheese
1/4 cup salsa
Spread the beans evenly over the tortilla.
Sprinkle the cheddar cheese over the top and heat in the microwave for about 15 seconds or until the cheese is just melted. Roll the tortilla. Enjoy with salsa for dipping.
205 calories, 15 g protein, 29 g carbs, 4.5 g fat, 4 g fiber.

Hard-Boiled Egg Whites with Cracked Pepper
Place 6 raw eggs in a small saucepan. Fill the pan with enough water to just cover the eggs. Place the pan over high heat until the water boils, then cover the pan and reduce heat to low. Cook the eggs for 12 minutes, then immediately run them under cold water. Peel the eggs, cut them in half and discard the yolks. Sprinkle the whites with cracked pepper, to taste.
99 calories, 21 g protein, 2 g carbs, 0 g fat, 0 g fiber.

SALTY

Low-Fat Popcorn
3 cups popped 94% fat-free microwave popcorn
120 calories, 4 g protein, 26 g carbohydrate, 2 g fat, 4 g fiber.

Baked Corn Tortilla Chips with Salsa
1 1/2 cups baked tortilla chips
1/4 cup salsa
189 calories, 4 g protein, 40 g carbs, 2 g fat, 10 g fiber.

Turkey Crackers
4 oz. low-fat deli turkey meat
10 round fat-free or low-fat whole wheat or whole grain crackers
Divide turkey, placing it atop the crackers.
174 calories, 19 g protein, 24 g carbs, 1 g fat, 1 g fiber.

Celery with Tuna Dip
4 oz. tuna, packed in water
1 Tbsp. low-fat mayonnaise
Celery salt or other spices, to taste
4 stalks celery
Wash celery and discard ends. Mix the tuna with the mayonnaise and spices in a small bowl. Dip the celery in the tuna and enjoy.
170 calories, 25 g protein, 8 g carbs, 4 g fat, 3 g fiber.

Jerky
2 oz. low-fat jerky (such as Snackmasters)
160 calories, 24 g protein, 10 g carbs, 3 g fat, 0 g fiber.

Turkey Pickle Roll-Ups
4 oz. thinly sliced deli turkey meat (we used Healthy Choice)
1 large deli-sized pickle
Cut the pickle in quarters to form four spears. Lay one ounce of the turkey on a plate or cutting board. Place the pickle at one end and roll the turkey around it, as if you're rolling a pig in a blanket. Continue the procedure with the remaining three pickle spears and turkey. Eat them immediately or place them in an airtight container and refrigerate.
132 calories, 22 g protein, 7 g carbs, < 1 g fat, 1 g fiber.

COMFORTING

Graham Cracker
Marshmallow Sandwich
1 whole reduced-fat graham cracker or cinnamon crisp
2 marshmallows
Break the graham cracker in half and place both halves on a microwave-safe plate. Place one marshmallow atop each half. Microwave for approximately 10 seconds or until the marshmallow puffs up to 1 1?2 times its original size. Form a sandwich by placing the marshmallows face-to-face. Before eating, check to make sure the marshmallows aren't too hot.
106 calories, 1 g protein, 24 g carbs, 1 g fat, 1 g fiber.

Banana Split
1/2 banana
1/2 cup fat-free frozen yogurt
2 Tbsp. chocolate syrup
2 Tbsp. Cool Whip Free
1 maraschino cherry
Cut the banana lengthwise and place yogurt on top. Top yogurt with the syrup and the Cool Whip Free. Garnish with the cherry. 227 calories, 5 g protein, 52 g carbs, 1 g fat, 2 g fiber.

Marshmallow Hot Chocolate
1 packet fat-free, sugar-free hot chocolate
1 cup hot water
1/3 cup mini marshmallows
Mix the hot chocolate powder with the water and stir it until the powder has dissolved. Add marshmallows and enjoy hot.
80 calories, 2 g protein, 18 g carbs, 0 g fat, 1 g fiber.

Applesauce Custard
3/4 cup unsweetened applesauce, chilled
2 Tbsp. vanilla flavored protein powder
2 packets artificial sweetener (we used Splenda)
1/4 tsp. cinnamon, or to taste
Blend all together and eat chilled. It's not as good at room temperature, so make sure it's cold.
125 calories, 12 g protein, 21 g carbs, < 1 g fat, 2 g fiber.

SPICY

Mediterranean Tomatoes
2 whole medium tomatoes
3/4 oz. reduced-fat or fat-free feta cheese
Garlic salt or spices, to taste
Chop tomatoes into bite-sized chunks. Crumble feta on tomatoes and add spices.
97 calories, 6 g protein, 11 g carbs, 3 g fat, 3 g fiber.

Italian Cottage Cheese
1/2 cup fat-free cottage cheese
2 Tbsp. fat-free Parmesan cheese
1 tsp. dried oregano, or to taste
Pinch garlic salt, or to taste
Mix ingredients together and eat chilled. For added crunch, spread on Wasa crispbread crackers.
110 calories, 20 g protein, 11 g carbs, 0 g fat, 0 g fiber. (Without crackers)

Devin Alexander is a graduate of the Westlake Culinary Institute and the owner of Café Renée Catering in Los Angeles. She can be reached at devin@devinalexander.com.