More smart snacking ideas:

When planning your snacks

• Don’t fall into the trap of thinking only “inside the box” and buying packaged, processed foods. You can make your own snacks that are easy to take with you and delicious!
• When choosing a snack, try to include at least more than one food group. To maximize your snack try to choose different groups of foods such as protein, fruits, vegetables, or complex carbohydrates. If you have trouble feeling hungry right after eating, make sure you include a protein source with your snack.
• If you are trying to lose or maintain weight, you will want to keep your snacks to less than 200 calories, but if you need to gain weight, you can make your snacks more like a “mini meal”.

Try these low-calorie snack ideas:

• ½ cup Carrots, ½ cup sugar snap peas, and 8 cherry tomatoes with 2 tablespoons of low-fat ranch
• 1 cup sliced celery with 2 tablespoons of creamy peanut butter
• 6 whole wheat crackers with 6 cheese cubes
• Medium banana or apple with 1 tablespoon of peanut butter
• Whole wheat crackers and 2 tablespoons hummus
• 6 cheese cubes and 1 cup of grapes
• Small non-fat yogurt mixed with ¼ cup blueberries and ½ cup strawberries
• 1 cup low-fat cottage cheese and ½ cup raw peaches
• Low fat string cheese stick with a small piece of fruit such as an orange
• 1 tortilla with ¼ cup dried beans with chopped tomatoes and 1 tablespoon shredded cheese
• ½ cup cooked rice or 3 rice cakes with 1 ounce low-fat cheese
• 1 cup vegetable soup with 4-6 crackers
• 1 small bran muffin with 1 tablespoon lowfat cream cheese
• 1 ounce slice zucchini bread with 1 cup nonfat milk
• 8 ounces liquid nutrition supplemental beverage
• 1 cup of gelatin made with sliced fruit and shredded carrots topped with 2 tablespoons whipped topping
• ½ turkey or tuna salad sandwich with sliced tomatoes and 1 teaspoon each of mayonnaise and mustard