Ann StrattonDinner's at eight, but you just can't wait. Here are nine healthy snacks to tide you over
Healthy Snack: Cashew-Strawberry Crunch
Think of this as a gourmet cook's PB & J. Spread 1 tablespoon of cashew butter on a slice of Ryvita Fruit Crunch. (Or substitute peanut butter and Triscuits.) Drizzle with 1/2 tablespoon honey and top with sliced strawberries.
Health Bonus: Nut butters are full of heart-healthy monounsaturated fats.
Healthy Snack: One-Minute Antipasto Plate
Roll a thin slice of prosciutto or ham around a part-skim mozzarella string cheese. Eat with a few olives, grapes, and roasted bell peppers (from a jar) drizzled with balsamic vinegar.
Health Bonus: Contains almost a quarter of a woman's 1,000-milligram recommended daily allowance for calcium.
Healthy Snack: Pineapple and Pistachios
Combine about 1/4 cup dried pineapple pieces with about 25 pistachio nuts. (For a treat, use chile-lime pistachio nuts, available at specialty stores.) Other winning dried-fruit-and-nut combos: raisins and peanuts, apricots and almonds, cherries and hazelnuts.
Health Bonus: Pineapple and nuts are both good sources of antioxidants.
From Real Simple: Smart Snacks on the Go
Ann Stratton Healthy Snack: Cottage Cheese and Apples
Slice an apple, such as Fuji or Granny Smith, and top with 1/2 cup of low-fat cottage cheese (look for 4-ounce four-packs from Breakstone). Or replace the fresh apple with two drained cinnamon-spiced apple rings, such as Musselman's (which can be found in the canned-fruit aisle).
Health Bonus: Provides protein, calcium, and fiber.
Healthy Snack: Cheese Melt
Spread 1/2 teaspoon of spicy mustard on a cocktail-size slice of thin whole-grain rye bread. Add a thin square of sharp Cheddar (about the same size as the bread) and broil until the cheese melts, then top with a slice of tomato and a sprinkling of caraway seeds.
Health Bonus: Rich in calcium.
Healthy Snack: Parmesan Pita Crisps
Sprinkle 2 tablespoons of grated Parmesan evenly over a 4-inch whole-wheat pita. Dust with 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano and broil until the cheese browns. Cut into quarters.
Health Bonus: Good balance of protein, fat, and fiber.
See Real Simple's 9 Fast, Healthy Breakfast Ideas
Ann Stratton Healthy Snack: Creamy Feta-Walnut Dip
Place 2 cups plain nonfat yogurt in a sieve lined with a coffee filter. Let stand in the refrigerator for 1 hour or overnight. Discard the liquid and spoon the thickened yogurt into a small bowl. Add 3/4 cup (3 ounces) crumbled Feta cheese, 2 cloves minced garlic, 2 tablespoons finely chopped toasted walnuts, 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, and 1/4 teaspoon hot sauce. Mix well. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours to allow the flavors to blend. Makes 1 1/2 cups.
Pair Feta-Walnut Dip with cherry tomatoes, a whole-wheat pita, or baby carrots.
Health Bonus: An easy way to get calcium, protein, and monounsaturated fat.
Healthy Snack: Edamame
Grab a handful of frozen shelled soybeans and run them under steaming-hot water for a quick thaw. For a tangy twist, add a spritz of lemon.
Health Bonus: Contains 8 grams of fiber and lots of cholesterol-lowering soy protein.
Healthy Snack: Fresh Vegetables with Dressing
Slice a cucumber in strips and place on a plate with baby carrots or baby corn. Dip in a lower-fat dressing, such as Annie's Naturals Roasted Red Pepper Vinaigrette or Trader Joe's Carrot-Ginger.
Health Bonus: Fiber-rich and very low-calorie.
More from Real Simple:
The Healthiest Juices
Low-Fat Cooking Methods
How to Eat Your Vitamins
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