YOUR FRIENDS' ACTIVITY

    5 skinny snacks

    By | Shine Food – Wed, Dec 24, 2008 6:23 PM EST

    When I get a snack attack-watch out. Anything is fair game when I get ravenous and usually I reach for no-fuss (unhealthy) convenience foods to satisfy my cravings, like cookies, chocolate and high-calorie crackers. But what I really need to eat to fuel my hungry body is a healthy snack. All the better if it includes fruit or vegetables.

    So I try to plan ahead and some ideas that are as appealing as junk food help too. Here are 5 of my favorite quick snack recipes (under 100 calories each) to satisfy your next hunger attack.



    Cheesy Popcorn (75 calories per serving)
    Freshly grated Parmesan cheese and a sprinkle of cayenne pepper dress up air-popped popcorn.

    4 cups hot air-popped popcorn
    1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
    Cayenne pepper to taste

    Toss popcorn with Parmesan and cayenne to taste. Makes 4 servings, about 1 cup each.

    NUTRITION INFORMATION: Per serving: 75 calories; 3 g fat (2 g sat, 1 g mono); 9 mg cholesterol; 7 g carbohydrate; 5 g protein; 1 g fiber; 154 mg sodium; 43 mg potassium. What you get: Calcium, fiber.



    "Cocoa-Nut" Bananas (80 calories per serving)
    Cocoa- and coconut-crusted bananas are a treat for the whole family.



    Feta & Herb Dip with Crudites (32 calories per serving for dip)
    Lots of freshly chopped herbs add zing to our white bean dip. Serve with assorted vegetables, such as baby carrots, bell pepper strips, radishes, snow peas, broccoli and caulifower florets.



    Ham & Pepper Roll-Ups (100 calories per serving)
    This snack is perfect for the kids, too-try turkey instead of ham if you prefer.



    Sesame Carrots (33 calories per serving)
    Toasted sesame seeds add taste and eye appeal to a cheery plate of carrots.


    By Michelle Edelbaum

    Michelle is the associate editor of interactive for EatingWell Media Group. In between editing and writing, she enjoys sampling the tasty results of the easy, healthy recipes that the EatingWell Test Kitchen cooks are working on.



    Related Links from EatingWell:

    SUPPER CLUB PICK

    • Childhood Favorites from the Shine Supper Club
      View Photos
      Childhood Favorites from the Shine Supper Club
      Childhood Favorites from the Shine Supper Club

      My after-school snack was a sacred ritual. I sat on the carpet in my parents' bedroom at a low table, the television turned to "I Dream of Jeannie," and ate a peanut butter and honey sandwich cut into neat squares. I wasn't fussy about crusts. I just loved the sticky pairing of creamy peanut butter with syrupy golden sweetness drizzled from a honey bear in diagonals across the soft white bread. Nothing else--save for maybe apples and peanut butter in a pinch--could have made for as sweet an