Often times midafternoon, hours before dinner time, our stomachs begin a loud rumbling that lets us know we need to eat something. Your breakfast and lunch were pretty healthy and you do not want to undermine the hard work you have already put into your diet today. Below are some healthy snacks that are packed with nutrients and fit right into a healthy diet:
- One tablespoon peanut butter (or peanut butter powder for lower calories and fat) spread on slices of a medium apple
- Veggie variety (carrots, sugar snap peas, green pepper strips, cherry tomatoes, etc.) and 2 tablespoons yogurt based ranch dressing (find this in the refrigerated produce section) or hummus for dipping
- Handful of whole-wheat crackers and one slice low-fat cheese
- Fruit smoothie: Blend 1 cup fat-free milk or plain yogurt, 1 cup fruit (fresh, frozen, or canned in 100% fruit juice)
- Yogurt parfait: Layer 6 ounces fat-free yogurt, ½ cup berries and ¼ cup crunchy unsweetened cereal
- Trail mix: Mix almonds, raisins, and sunflower seeds. Serving size is a handful.
- Banana split: banana sliced length-wise topped with ½ cup plain low fat yogurt and a tablespoon of chopped nuts or crunchy unsweetened cereal
- Apple Oatmeal: Make one packet of plain microwave oatmeal with low-fat milk. Mix in 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce. Sprinkle with cinnamon.
- Peel a banana and dip it in plain nonfat yogurt. Roll in crushed cereal and freeze.
- Place cubes of low-fat cheese and grapes on whole wheat pretzel sticks.
- Dip cut fruit or berries in low-fat yogurt.
- Dip a handful of baked tortilla chips in 2 tablespoons bean dip.
This should quiet your tummy rumbles for a couple hours. Don’t forget, the best plan is 3 meals per day with snacks in between when you feel hungry!
