Low Calorie Snacks that Reduce Cravings

One of the keys to weight loss for me is to always be prepared with some kind of low calorie snack that can help stabilize my blood sugar and therefore reduce cravings!

             Just stuff one chocolate chip in a raspberry for a low calorie high satisfaction snack

It's important to plan your snacks in advance and be conscious of your goals.


These Snacks are What DID NOT Work for Me
scroll down for the snacks that did work for me

Last night, a friend of mine had a few women over for a social evening. She put out snacks of gluten free crackers, blueberry jam covered goat cheese log, chocolate covered blueberries and cherries , vegetable chips, and nuts. She also had vanilla ice cream and an apple type turnover.

She served all things that I love and things that can easily pack on weight!  I nibbled on a few nuts and had a few crackers with goat cheese ( and a few chips); I wasn't too out of control, but I was not eating as consciously as I would have  at home.

Some  snacks can really be caloric and really play havoc with a good eating plan. The 4 crackers and blueberry coated goat cheese, the 5-6 nuts, and the 6-7 vegetable chips probably added up to about 10 points plus on Weight Watchers, which is way too caloric for one sitting. ( Was I even hungry? No! Did they start me craving , YES!)

If I were at home, my snack would have been air popped pop corn for 3 points. I would have sprayed it with olive oil spray and been in snacker's heaven. Air popped pop corn is full of fiber, low in fat and calories which is satisfying. It takes a while to eat, and I love crunching!

Why weight loss is also mental 

One of my favorites pass times is sitting with good friends, talking, having a good time and munching on snacks ( and some wine)  I could have eaten half of that bowl of chocolate covered blueberries and cherries.Thank goodness I didn't taste them.

I always have to bring myself back to awareness and conscious eating . It was so easy to keep having just one more cracker and one one chip. For me, in situations like that , I do better when I abstain.

Once I start, I lose track of my goals:

• I want to lose weight right now, not maintain. 
• When I am not consciously eating , I might just maintain ( or even gain) .. and my ultimate goal of weight loss will take longer. 
• This is a mental journey as well as an eating journey.There will be plenty of time for maintaining, once I lose this weight. ( Of course I only have about 15 pounds to lose) by the way, I still had a great time without munching my way through the whole night!

 I'm starting to love looking better in clothes again, and I feel more energetic!

I have found that since I have eliminated "sugars" and salty foods, I taste food differently.
Fresh fruit tastes amazing especially a mango and a Gala apple. 


Snacks that Work for Me and Help Stabilize Cravings

At home, I always keep snacks in the refrigerator that I can " go to" quickly and that are on my Weight Watchers Plan and of course are all gluten free.

• Hard boiled eggs ( I buy Eggland's best in a bag already cooked)
• Mozzarella sticks ( Weight Watcher's brand are just 1 point)
• Fresh fruit ( apples, pears, mangoes, oranges)
• Cut up fresh veggies dipped in plain Greek yogurt ( red pepper, cucumber, carrots,etc) 
• Greek yogurt ( plain nonfat) or add frozen fruit 
• Air popped pop corn ( I pop it myself)
• Measured out baggies of  10 raw almonds or 15 pistachio nuts
• 1 Tablespoon nut butter on celery
• Scroll down for my favorite 2 point snack

One of my favorite snacks is  Trader Joe's Cherry Berry Frozen Fruit bag ( 0) points plus which I covered in plain Almond milk-( 30 calories per cup)
Put the frozen fruit in a bowl,  cover with almond milk and enjoy it as it gets icy and as the frozen fruit softens it tastes like ice cream. The almond milk is just 1 point plus ..Total snack:  1 pt. plus

I love this snack!  Frozen Fruit with Almond Milk

 Of course you could put the frozen berries ( 0 points plus)  in the blender with plain nonfat Greek yogurt  for a rich and creamy 2 point plus snack. Tastes amazing and really rich in antioxidants!

                                 

Always 

• Think,
•  Plan,
•  Be prepared 
• Eliminate foods that you can't handle

When I am at home I have no problem following my diet plan because I keep high fiber, low fat, low point plus value healthy snacks around that don't stimulate my taste buds and actually help stabilize my blood sugar. When I am out, I realize how caloric" normal" snacks can be, and it really doesn't work. for me.

I try to eat every 2-3 hours so I don't get too hungry and then make poor choices. Snacks really help me stick to my plan and these healthy snacks are nutrient dense so I benefit from the added nutrition and health giving antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals.

The key for me is to find nutritious low point snacks and food that I can fill up on and stop the cravings! Sugar, salt, and fried foods call me back for more and more and more.
I find it is hard to eat out. How about you?

I  love to read your comments; so please leave one.
What are your " go to"  snacks?
 Does eating out do you in?
Are there any foods you can't handle? ( Pistachios for me- I want to eat the entire bag!)

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