[DeafinlySmart]

Just because summer is here doesn't mean I'm any less busy. With all the doctor appts, errands, shopping, kid activities and so forth it is ridiculously easy to rely on fast food. That solution is neither helpful to my diet nor to my wallet. These are NO cooking easy snacks/meals to take. Please add to the list. Kid pleasers and no mess or prep are even better! This is also handy for the 3 hour eaters.

Keep a small cooler and take stuff with you. Your waistline will love you.

1. Petite baby carrots (they taste better to me)
2. Hummus (with a sandwhich bag of raw veggies)
3. Ready to Eat Sugar Snap Peas
4. Gogurt (only if you aren't out all day)
5. Prepackaged small block of cheese (only if you can stop at one)
6. Brushetta
7. Apple (buy or slice it yourself for the kiddos)
8. Oranges (clemintines are smaller and easier to peel)
9. Boiled eggs (make and store ahead) (I buy those with omega 3 added)
10.Grapes
11. Bananas
12. Gum to ward off cravings
13. Black olives (portion control these)
14. Lima beans (I can eat a small pull top can of these cold)
15. Make your own leaner version of Lunchables (small round cookie cutter)\
16. 100 calorie pack snacks (in moderation cuz they aren't the healthiest)
17. Cubed Deli Ham (have them cube it instead of slicing it..many many uses)
18. Don't Forget Water!!

Keep the numbers going!

[Apolline]

So, tell me about your uses for the cubed deli ham??

[DeafinlySmart]

Not all of these are quick to fit this list, but the pre-prep makes it faster for any recipe you do pick.

Uses for Diced Deli Ham (cut by the store)

1. My Favorite: Eat it plain as a good protein snack (always choose lean)

2. Omlets (choose egg whites) or scrambled eggs (I can't make omlets, add veggies)

3. Small Baked Potatos minus sour cream and butter

4. Salads

5. Quesadillas (OR diced ckn from deli & wheat/low cal/carb tortillas)(add tomatoes and other veggies and reduce the low fat cheese and serve with sides)

6. Quiches (make mini ones and have snacks all week!) (tweak the recipe)

7. Put a few in green beans instead of bacon

8. Throw veggies and diced ham in a pita (again, choose carefully)

9. Saute it with nonstick spray and a few veggies and have a quick dinner or a wrap.

10. half a Bagel (choose carefully) with pizza sauce, low fat cheese and diced ham. Melt it in the microwave or toast it in the oven. Your choice. You can also add veggies (especially if you buy diced frozen onion, bell pepper (cook it) and some mushrooms).

Word of Caution: Portion this in baggies because it is TOO easy to eat it all in one sitting. I like this for me for me because if I go without food for just a little too long or take my meds and forget to eat, this will save me quickly. Also a good tag along bag for car trips (I take a mini cooler with a few snacks now that I'm watching what I eat). My only complaint is it can be a bit PRICEY.

[hockeyfan7]

I'm a fan of string cheese myself.

Plus I'm also into cherries right now -- they are yummy and on sale.

I also carry a protein bar in my purse at all times just in case -- I like Zone, Body for Life, Think Organic, Larabars, Eat Natural and Clif Nectar.

Pop some fat-free popcorn and put in a plastic bag to carry with you.

Guiltless Gourmet chips are great for snacks with some salsa.

My gluten-free bakery makes these yummy flaxseed crackers -- a handful of those with some peanut butter and an apple and I'm set.