[augeremt]

Lately, I've been craving potato chips. Nothing specific, but more the crunch, saltiness, and cheesy/oniony flavor of SunChips or Baked Lays or Doritos or Chex Mix. BUT, I know they're full of calories and unhealthy stuff I don't necessarily want to ingest.

So...do you have any alternative suggestions that could satisfy this craving? Or methods of dealing with getting over it?

Pretty please?

[Beverlyjoy]

Once in a while, when I would like to include chips in my daily plan - I will pick up a small bag (single serving) of Lays Baked Chips at Subway. That way it's a smalll measured amount. Eat them slowly and enjoy each bite.

If I want salt and crunch - sometimes I'l cut up big pieces of celery and eat them with salsa as a dip.

[rockinrobin]

For me, lots of this has been about de-sensitizing myself from *those* kinds of foods. The ones that I craved, overate and wanted the most, that is. I found the longer I went without them, the less and less that I wanted them and eventually they pretty much became a non-issue.

But I did make sure I had plenty of OTHER good foods around. Healthy and delicious alternatives to that kind of stuff.

The chip one is fairly easy -

Baked beets - scrub some beets, slice as thin as possible, lay out on a roasting sheet covered in tin foil, sprayed with non-stick cooking spray and sprinkled with sea salt and spray some more. Bake in a 400 degree oven, turning once for about 20 minutes or so till crisp and done. DELISH!!!

There's also turnip fries, roasted green beans, roasted asparagus, roasted cauliflower, roasted brussel sprouts. These foods may seem odd to eat *just because* and as a snack, but to me, they're not. I had to think outside the box.

Like Beverlyjoy, I also very often turn to celery and salsa. Daily in fact.

[Beverlyjoy]

Robin - I've made sweet potato and parsnips 'chips' many times. I've never thought of using beets. What a good idea...thanks.

[rockinrobin]

Originally Posted by Beverlyjoy

Robin - I've made sweet potato and parsnips 'chips' many times. I've never thought of using beets. What a good idea...thanks.

You see sweet potatoes, I can't do. I overdo them and I am never satiated. Parsnips, I probably would too, but not as badly. Especially if I only am making a certain amount. I shall experiment.

I never had a fresh beet in my life till about a month and a half ago. And we (my entire family) have been hooked on them ever since. They are out of this world.

But I warn you - don't get scared - it will do amazing things to the color of your, ummm,waste.

[mkendrick]

I'm loving the sweet potato and beets ideas!

I use Mission low carb tortillas for wraps and such. 80 cal/tortilla. One time I got a wild hair and sprayed a tortilla in no-stick spray, sprinkled it with a few spices (cumin, chili powder, and garlic I think) and cut it into little triangles. I baked it at a fairly high temp. When it was done, I had chips! I dipped them in homemade salsa (just tomato, onion, cilantro, and jalepeno). It was a yummy treat

[ElanaRose]

You can slice some potatoes really thin, spritz them with a little olive oil, and pop them in the oven! You can even create your own flavors with spices that you'd find in your house. IE: Italian flavor: A little Parmesan cheese and oregano/basil. Western: Cajun spice/any kind of hot pepper. Or my mom sometimes makes eggplant -- You slice it thinly so that it'll crisp up and sprinkle grated cheese on top.

[yoyoma]

This may or may not work for you, but I sometimes eat terriyaki flavored nori strips. If you don't need the extra flavor (I do) and want to go all-natural you can get plain roasted nori. Lots of good micronutrients and very low in calories.

[FreeSpirit]

Sliced cucumbers with salt! Crunchy, salty, yummy.

[stella1609]

I eat wholegrain Goldfish crackers, or blue corn tortilla chips with salsa. But maybe that's a little TOO close to chips for what you're looking for?

[paris81]

Some great ideas here! I also will slice up a butternut squash and bake it with salt (from Hungry girl Butternut squash fries). I find that they're kinda in between fries and chips. And super low cal for a lot of them!

[westernsoutherngirl]

I use these wheat-free, gluten-free crackers called "Mary's Gone Crackers" (I have only tried the original flavor) that are made from rice and various seeds. VERY CRUNCHY but not very salty. They are made with brown rice, quinoa, flax seeds and sesame seeds. 13 crackers has 140 cals, 5 g of fat and 3 g fiber but I usually only eat 7 and break them into 4 for more "volume". These have really saved me because I could truly eat my weight in chips it is my huge (no pun intended) downfall. I have also used Soy crisps but try not to eat too much soy. Good luck. I might try the beet idea. Also someone before had suggested roasted chickpeas but I haven't tried that yet.

[Veil]

At our house we LOVE "Nut-Thins" (made by Blue Diamond)- they are so crunchy and so delicious. They come in a couple flavors, we like either the Almond or Pecan. It is around 130 calories for 16 crackers. 2g protein. 23g carb. "Mary's Gone Crackers" are SO GOOD too!!!

[rileyozzy]

I munch on veggie sticks. They are salty and crispy and the serving size is pretty big. They are not as healthy as some of the other suggestions, but they sure kick the chip craving.

[Beverlyjoy]

I like rice cakes...lightly salted and crunchy.

Check the label...many are brown rice and 35 calories each.