You can do the same just use black beans for a different taste....it is very good.

Phyllis

Can anyone recommend a snack that's low cal and can be eaten in any quantity? Like, I know celery is "negative calories" but my friend hates celery. She's afraid to diet because she thinks she will get too hungry on a low cal plan and this will cause her to cheat. Atkins is out. I want to suggest something she can pretty much nibble on anytime to satisfy the need to munch. I really think she's eating out of boredom/habit, etc., but I'm trying to be supportive to help her get started.

Any ideas?

Chewing gum helps me. I haven't had any in a while, so I am not sure what kind would be the best. I would definitely find something that has no sugar and low cals. Hope that helps. :)
Also, sugar free jello. They are 10 cals and I think they are good.

There is a list of free foods in the section above and in the book. With the 100 cal. snacks maybe she would be OK. The 100 cal. snack packs are very good and she could munch on a pack. Carrots?? Is she wanting crunchy, salty, sweet? I usually have a handful of pretzels when I need salty. Pickles are good for the salty cravings too.

Phyllis

Gum is okay - just be careful with sf gum - can have a laxative effect...

Look - the desire to chew all the time - that is something that needs to be addressed on its own. She doesn't need to eat to chew. Something she should be aware of is that if she is chewing a lot (this would be something she likely does for sensory input - like when she is stressed) is the potential damage to her teeth. I would suggest that when she can (like not in a totally public place) she chew on something called a "chewy tube" These are developed for Occupational THerapy purposes and used for stroke patienets to regain jaw strength - also young children with sensory integration disorder - but I have, on occasion, snagged my son's to use instead of grinding my teeth... it is designed to not damage your snaggles. Click here

As far as eating all the time - well - I think that something like the three hour diet would help her since the idea here is keeping one's blood sugar stable. DOing so will make her less hungry. If she is just eating mindlessly - either it is a sensory thing as mentioned above or she needs to address whatever emotional issues she has and learn to deal with them without using food as a drug. Food is fuel, not medicine.

Oh - and be areful with carrots - they are relatively high on the GI scale - good snack, but we all know too much of a good thing is still too much, right?