I am trying to think of simple foods that are super low in calorie but that can help with cravings between meals. I've heard that just making a simple broth and having a bit can help with cravings while not adding too many calories to the day. I also like that it's something that I would sip/ eat slowly. I've successfully used tea in that way sometimes - a cup of tea instead of a caloric snack.
Obviously, vegetables and fruits are good snacks. But, while I incorporate a lot of those into my meals (and healthy desserts), usually when I'm craving snacks, I want something savory. I'm of the belief that it's better to satisfy the craving in a healthy/ controlled way than to ignore it because eventually that just erodes my motivation.
Roasted chickpeas, cheese, jerky, popcorn (seasoned a multitude of ways), pretzels, veggies with a variety of dips, dehydrated vegetables, or my personal favorite - TJ inner peas/calbees snap peas.
The best "snack" to me, though, is pureed vegetable soup. You can make an entire recipe and freeze it into one cup portions to microwave whenever you're hungry.
String cheese, babybels, crunchy veggies with yogurt or tomato based dip, graham crackers with peanut butter and a glass of milk, V8, frozen edamame with sea salt. A tin of sardines (if you like fishies!) Portions are everything.
Ian- your metabolism works well with that. Not everyone's does... it's not a matter of "training" your body, it's a matter of listening to your body. I don't eat in the morning because that makes me nauseous. I also sometimes get mildly low blood sugar and have to grab a snack to bring it back so I can think clearly. Some of the only mistakes I've ever made at work have all been when my sugar has been low... safety first. ;-)
I myself do not snack. However, telling someone not to snack is really bad advice lol - it's like telling someone not to go to the bathroom just because you yourself don't have to go. Everybody's body is different and everybody's energy levels are different throughout the day. The only thing I can tell you is HOW I manage not to snack: I eat 3 solid meals a day and prescribe to the "eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a pauper" meal form. The most important meal is breakfast. If I skimp on breakfast then I'm reaching for snacks all day long. I also make sure that my breakfast and lunch meals are fully satisfying. This keeps me from needing any snacks.
But when I did used to snack I had a long list:
Hard boiled egg
apple slices with nut butter
rice cakes with nut butter
cheese and crackers with fig jam
veggies with hummus
Sliced ham
Olives
yogurt
Nuts
Miso soup is great for cravings. Very low calories and comes in little packets also. Just pop in a cup, add hot water and sip
Cup of soup will do it too. Quite high in salt though.
Another great snack I find is chopped up veggies. Tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, etc with just a pinch of aromat or paprika.
I really like umami flavourings, you might have guessed haha XD
I used to not snack at all but on my new diet plan I am significantly reducing the calories consumed at my three 'main' meals and adding morning & afternoon snacks. Yet to see if this approach works (only 4 days into new year, new diet, new waist plan) but so far it has helped my mentally as I don't feel hungry at all and I am sort of enjoying planning everything out and making sure that my entire day is well balanced but low on cals.
Sorry digressed...for savory snacks I am trying/planning to try:
* sachets of almond/hazelnut butter (justins are 80cals a sachet and very satisfying)
* mini tub of hummus - eaten plan or with veggies
* edamame - either hot with a little salt & lime juice / dried
* tub of non-fat cottage cheese
* homemade turkey jerky
* few olives & cornichons
from what I've read peanut butter is acidic which isn't good for you. you're meant to be more alkaline. try making your own nut butters with almonds or macadamias or cashews. nuts are definitely a healthy fat though, in moderation.
Suggestions for healthy savory snacks?
