9 Snacks You Can Munch As Much As You Want

Like most of the world, I love snacking. But it’s easy to pack on the pounds when you’re mindlessly eating at your desk or late at night. To curve the cravings but sate your appetite, the key is to stay away from sugary or starchy snacks. Here are nine snacks you can eat as much as you want, without the guilt (yes, really).

1.  Air-Popped Popcorn

Avoid the bagged kind! Air-popped popcorn is easy to make at home on your stove or microwaved in a paper bag. You can sprinkle it with popcorn seasoning for more taste, but I prefer to eat mine plain. If you’re craving sweet, not savory, sprinkle with cinnamon and a dash of sugar. Best of all? It only has 33 calories per popped cup.

2.  Clear Broth Soups

Soup is one of my favorite foods in the entire world. But stay away from opaque/milky broths which are usually made with heavy cream. I like to make my own by boiling a whole chicken with chicken stock, ginger, garlic and half a white onion for several hours. The broth is flavorful and low-fat, and the warmth helps sate my ravenous appetite.

3.  Kale Chips

Kale chips are easy to make, but require some preparation ahead of time. Give them a light coat of olive oil spray (I prefer Trader Joe’s) and a sprinkle of fresh sea salt, then place them in a preheated oven at 350 degrees. Bake for 10 to 15 minutes.

4.  Egg Whites

 

Egg whites are high in protein and low in calories— only 17 per egg to be exact. One of my favorite ways to eat egg whites is to lightly spray a non-stick pan and crack 2 to 3 eggs inside. Swirl the egg whites around the sides of the pan to create a thin “crepe” and sprinkle with chopped green onions and a little sugar. Yum!

5.  Heirloom Tomatoes with Balsamic Vinegar

I’ve recently discovered heirloom tomatoes, and they’re ridiculously good. My favorites are the dark purple/black varieties (try a cherokee purple) because they’re naturally sweet and don’t have the acidity of normal roma or beefsteak tomatoes. Slice tomatoes and drizzle with your favorite balsamic vinegar for a refreshing summertime snack.

6.  Tea

 

OK, so tea isn’t a real “snack,” but I love drinking tea throughout the day since it won’t give you the jitters a heavy dose of coffee will. An important thing to remember is that people often mistake thirst for hunger. Not only does tea help to speed up metabolism and the digestive process, it also helps to keep your stomach feeling happy and full

7.  Greek Yogurt

 

Greek yogurt has twice as much protein as regular yogurt, so it truly keeps you full. I doubt you’ll be able to eat more than one pack! Mix with frozen berries or freeze it for an ice cream-like consistency.

8.  Carrot Sticks

 

Carrots are great for you, naturally sweet and very filling. I try to avoid baby carrots even though they’re more convenient. Just peel and chop the big ones for a travel-friendly, anytime snack. During the weekends, I’ll cut up several large carrots and distribute them in snack size baggies. Perfect for when you’re on the go.

9.  Baked Cauliflower

 

Baked cauliflower as a snack? Yes, really. When you bake cauliflower, it takes on a hearty, almost sweet potato-like consistency. Break up fresh cauliflower into florets and sprinkle generously with sea salt. Bake at 400 degrees for about 40 minutes — until you see the tips take on a deep brown color. Enjoy as-is or dip in marina or curry sauce.

 Source: healthdigezt.com