Salty: Kalamata Olives
We love the oval shape and bold flavor of these salty Greek olives, and we must admit we love sucking on the pits - it keeps us from eating more! Each olive is 10.5 calories, assuming it's not dripping in olive oil. So 10 of them make a lovely, 105-calorie snack.
Sweet: Chocolate-covered raisins
Each one is around 4 calories, no worse than a carob- or yogurt-covered raisin. So go for the gusto. Two-dozen of them - which makes a rather nice pile, we think - is just 96 calories. And talk about sweet: Raisins are naturally rich in sugar, and, then there's that luscious milk chocolate - that says it all.
Savory: Muffin pizza
Spread 1 tablespoon marinara sauce and 2 tablespoons of grated cheese onto half an English muffin, sprinkle with a little oregano and/or basil, and bake in a toaster oven at 350°F until the cheese bubbles. A real treat at just 120 calories!
Baked goods: Oatmeal
A teacup of oatmeal is around 110 calories, and includes 3 grams of fiber and 4 grams of protein, which is a lot of filling nutrition. Sprinkle with a little cinnamon or nutmeg, and add fresh berries or sliced fruit to make not only more appealing visually, but tastier, too.
Cold and Creamy: Fruit smoothie
They're so easy to make, so delicious to drink, and so thoroughly filling. Improvise with a banana, a cup of berries, a spoonful of low-fat yogurt, a splash of orange juice, and ice. Blend until smooth. A typical smoothie is around 150-200 calories, but you'll feel like you just had a big meal, and you'll have just consumed two or three servings of fruit.
Dessert: Banana Foster
This warm dessert that makes a great snack. Slice a small banana into 1-inch pieces and place in a microwavable bowl. Sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon brown sugar and add 1/2 teaspoon butter. Microwave until bubbly, about 1 minute. Hot, sweet pleasure, and just 115 calories.
Sweet and Salty: Frozen peas
Have you ever tried eating frozen peas? Smart moms have found that kids often love them as a snack, and they're also a wonderful weight-loss food for us grownups. They're chewy, yummy, and packed with fiber, making them very filling. A cup, which is a lot of peas, is 103 calories. Top with salt and a grind of pepper.
Crunchy: Pretzel sticks
If you must have a classic American crunch, go for thin pretzel sticks over potato chips. Why? Pretzels are baked, and have next to no fat; potato chips are fried, making them far more calorie dense. A single thin pretzel stick is around 2 calories; eat 50 for a filling snack that's just over 100 calories. Just be sure to check the package; pretzel size can vary by company.
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