When you’re trying to cut down on extra calories, it can be very difficult to get through the day without snacks. This is especially true if you’re a foodie – munching on pieces of fruit just doesn’t always cut it. The last thing you need is to feel restricted and deprived – and this doesn’t have to be the case.
It’s perfectly possible to enjoy a wide range of tasty (non-fruit) snacks without breaking the calorie bank. All you need is a little inspiration. Lucky for you, we have that right here.
9 of the best low-calorie snack ideas for foodies!
Take a look at the following healthy snack ideas, ordered by calorie content. There’s something for everyone; even if you only have 50 calories to spare.
3 low calorie snacks under 200 calories
1. Peanut butter celery stalks (176 Cal per serving)
Tired of munching down on celery stalks alone for a healthy snack? Spice them up while still keeping things healthy, by adding some peanut butter and raisins. Take just two celery stalks and spread about 1 tablespoon of natural peanut butter on them. Add about 3 or so raisins on top of each stick and you have yourself a delicious snack that’s packed with both protein and fiber.
2. Almond butter banana on whole wheat crackers (200 Cal per serving)
Bananas are sweet enough on their own, but combining them with almond butter and whole wheat crackers gives you a snack you’ll want to eat at every chance you get. Take about 4 whole wheat crackers and spread a tablespoon of natural almond butter on them. Slice up half a banana on top of the crackers and you’re good to go!
3. Wholesome pitta chicken pocket(146 Cal per serving)
Pitta bread is one of the healthiest forms of bread in existence, and it can easily be incorporated into a quick-to-assemble snack. Simply take half a wholemeal pitta bread and fill it up with a mixture of ¼ cucumber chunks, 4 halved cherry tomatoes and 25 grams of skinless cooked chicken. With this snack, you get the slow-burning carbs from the wholemeal pitta bread, as well as the protein from the chicken, plus micronutrients from the cucumber and tomatoes. All in all, it’s quite a nutritious snack.
3 low calorie snacks under 100 calories
1. Cheese quesadillas (100 Cal per serving)
As unbelievable as it sounds, you can make a delicious low-calorie snack out of regular corn tortillas. Simply grab one and sprinkle around 1 ounce of grated cheese on top. Low-fat mature cheddar is best for this snack, as a little bit goes quite far. Fold the tortilla and microwave it for 20 seconds. You’ll find you have yourself one of the quickest, tastiest, low calorie snacks to go. I challenge anyone not to be excited about this one!
2. Carrot stick fries (83 Cal per serving)
If you’re tired of munching on your regular carrot sticks, why not try making fries out of them instead? No, you don’t need to toss them in a deep fat fryer. Simply take a ¼ pound of your fresh carrot sticks and toss them in about ½ a teaspoon of olive oil, along with ½ a tablespoon of fresh chopped basil. Place them in an oven preheated to 450F for about 15 minutes and sprinkle a tablespoon of parmesan cheese on top when they come out.
3. Fruity bio yoghurt (67 Cal per serving)
Bio yoghurt is healthy and all, but why not liven it up with some delicious berry topping? Spoon about half of a regular 150g jar of bio yoghurt into a bowl and add in about 80g of berries. Mixed berries are best for the wide variety of cherries, strawberries, blueberries and raspberries that are simply bursting with flavor.
3 low calorie snacks under 50 calories
1. Air-popped popcorn (37 Cal per serving)
You may associate popcorn with the butter-heavy snack they serve you at movie theatres, but it’s actually possible to snack on popcorn without piling on the fat – you just have to cook it the right way. 100g of air-popped popcorn, when flavored with salt, comes in at only 37 calories. Just be sure not to add any butter, sugar or other flavourings. The best thing about this particular snack is that it makes you feel full for ages!
2. Mixed berry salad (50 Cal per serving)
Instead of just sticking to eating one type of fruit every time you need a snack, why not mix things up a bit? Mix some strawberries, blueberries and raspberries into half a cup in equal measures. Simply toss them together and that’s it! One serving is packed with a healthy dose of vitamins and antioxidants that are vital to the body in a myriad of ways. Plus, it’s delicious!
3. Baby carrots with a hummus dip (47 Cal per serving)
While it’s true that you can snack on baby carrots on their own, there’s no harm in making things a little more interesting by adding a little hummus as a dip for extra flavor. Simply take about 4 baby carrots and dip them in about one tablespoon of hummus until all of them are coated. Not only will this taste better, the added protein will keep you fuller for longer too.
Read: 10 Easy to Make Spiralizer Recipes
The best low calorie snacks are those which combine your favorite flavors
The best part about being a healthy foodie is exploring the many different ways you can combine ingredients to create truly remarkable healthy dishes. When it comes to healthy snack recipes, they can be as simple, or as complex as you like. All you need is a bit of imagination, creativity and open-mindedness!
Healthy low calorie snacks don’t have to be dull – the recipes here prove it without a doubt.
