FitSugar

Holiday Survival: 10 Healthy Snacks For Road Tripping

FitSugar — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 13:00:00 PST

"Over the river and through the wood, to grandmother's house we go." I love a Thanksgiving road trip, but I don't love the unhealthy food options on the road. I could splurge a little and order a Whopper, but truthfully, I know if I eat it, I'll feel like crap. With a little planning, you can avoid the dieting pitfalls associated with road tripping. The trick is to have a travel-size cooler with you since healthy foods often need refrigeration. Here are some of my faves.

Edamame: Take the bag out of the freezer the night before and put it on the fridge. It'll be defrosted but not soggy and ready to pack in the morning.
Veggie sticks: Chop your own the night before and place in ziploc baggies, or buy precut carrots, celery, and broccoli florets at the store. Pack a container of hummus in the cooler for dipping.
Apples and cheese: A simple snack packed with protein and fiber. You can preslice them or bring a knife with you. If you're not into apples, pack some whole grain crackers like Kashi TLC party crackers or Doctor Kracker flatbreads instead.
Fruit slices and yogurt: Cut up apples, pears, pineapple, and nectarines and place them in a container. Pack them in the cooler with vanilla yogurt for dunking.
Banana and peanuts: This is always a satisfying combination and very convenient since you don't need utensils. Just stick the peanuts in the banana before you take a bite.

To see more healthy snack ideas

Snack Attack: Chocolate Ice Cubes

FitSugar — Fri, 16 Feb 2007 04:00:00 PST

We are always looking for yummy and healthy things to snack on but it is easy to run out of our own ideas. Sick of the same old thing? Well, thanks to user, mandiesoh, you can try a new snack! Her light snack idea for Chocolate Ice Cubes is so simple, yet sounds so good. Chocolate ice cubes are something that make you think, why didn't I think of that?

"Here's something i do just in case i get a sudden craving for something cold, icy and chocolate-y.

Buy a carton of low-fat chocolate milk (it's only 150 calories per 200 ml), pour into an ice cube tray and freeze it!

Seeing as you'll only eat a few at a time (I THINK!) you'll only consume very few calories while eating something so delish!"

Thanks mandiesoh! Great idea so when you're reaching for ice cream, reach for a few chocolate cubes!

Do you have a snack that is healthy you'd like to share? Maybe bumps on a log or rice cakes with natural peanut butter are your thing. If so, share your ideas and recipes in the Snack Attack Group! I'd love to feature your fabulous ideas on FitSugar's upcoming healthy snack post!

It's Not a Diet! Lose Weight With Lifestyle Changes Instead

Leta Shy — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 13:39:18 PST

Whenever you resolve to eat healthier or fewer calories, it can be easy to fall into the diet trap - thinking that you just have to power through for a few weeks eating only lettuce in order to meet your weight goals. But instead of dreading the idea of healthy eating, think of your new goals as a lifestyle change, not a diet, with these tips.

Get creative in the kitchen: When you've resigned yourself to eating the same healthy thing over and over again, you can get bored with your meals pretty easily. If you're apprehensive about trying a new healthy food or you just don't know where to start when it comes to making a healthy meal plan, check out our delicious healthy recipes index for endless ideas.

Don't use ultimatums: Crash dieting sets you up for failure; a better solution is to think of your new eating initiatives as something sustainable. That means that while you may have to cut back on your daily doughnut habit, you shouldn't deprive yourself of your favorite unhealthy foods forever. Have a cheat day or have treat or two, mindfully, so you'll be more apt to stick to your new eating plan.

More tips for staying away from the "diet" mentality after the break.

5 Heart-Healthy Foods For Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Leta Shy — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 00:58:10 PST

February is American Heart Month. You may not think you have to worry about your heart until you're older, but in fact, the healthy things you do now can help prevent serious heart conditions later.

One such healthy habit is to eat foods that help lower cholesterol or improve your heart function. We've made it easy with these five foods that you should be incorporating into your breakfast-lunch-dinner routine (don't worry, we didn't forget snacks and desserts!), so read on to find out what, how much, and why you should be adding these heart-healthy foods to your diet.

How to Make Award-Worthy Oscars Popcorn

Michele Foley — Sat, 26 Feb 2011 07:52:30 PST

This Sunday I'll be celebrating the Academy Awards in style at an Oscars party. Besides a large spread of food, my friend is supplying each guest with a bag of popcorn - it's the perfect snack for celebrating the film industry. And if you can skip the butter bath, it's also an ideal healthy snack because it's low-calorie, high in antioxidants, low-fat, and filling.

Since my friend's Oscar party leans closer to a fancy affair, she's glamming up her popcorn with creative toppings like a sprinkle of pepper and Parmesan cheese. But before even thinking about what goes on top, make sure you make it the old-fashioned way: on the stove with a little canola oil. It tastes better, is healthier for you, and doesn't contain all the junk found in store-bought microwave popcorn. If you're worried about calories, try our fat-free popcorn or use an air popper.

For a glammed up event like an Oscars party, I like sprinkling healthy toppings like nutritional yeast or seaweed onto my popcorn, or dried spices like rosemary, garlic, and cayenne. If that doesn't sound good to you check out YumSugar's popcorn recipe roundup. How do you like to dress up your popcorn?

Source: Flickr user ThomasLife

Ditch the Dippin' Dots For These Favorite Healthy Snacks

Angelica Marden — Fri, 10 Jun 2011 03:45:29 PDT

When temperatures heat up most of us flock to the movies (or stay indoors where it's air conditioned) for some refreshing down time. Traditional theater and TV snacks like popcorn, candy, ice cream, and chips can wreck your mindful eating habits, so we offered up some simple, nutritious, and satisfying snack ideas recently and asked readers to share their favorites. The suggestions are all scrumptious. If you're headed to see a blockbuster this weekend, pack these reader-tested treats.

Pick something that takes effort: Gabriela Une Vie Saine says, "I love snacking on cherries or pistachios while watching TV. They're more difficult to eat than most finger foods, so I eat them more mindfully!"
Get creative with flavors: Reader tea-bag snacks on roasted cauliflower heads dusted with Stevia and cinnamon! She reports the snack is addicting and "strangely reminiscent of kettle corn!"
Take a sip!: FitSugar Senior Editor Susi May likes to have a big cup of Rooibos tea while watching TV. She says, "It's hot, so I drink it slowly and it's naturally sweet . . . I know tea is not food, but it sure is a good replacement for dessert." If it's hot out, put your tea on ice for an antioxidant-filled treat.
Trade white for green: Andrennabird recommends kale chips. Even her Doritos-loving friend asked for the recipe. Ready to make your own? Try this kale chip recipe.

Need more snack ideas? Check out our Snack Attack: Healthy Snack group.

Source: Flickr User La Grande Farmers' Market

Score a Touchdown With These Healthy Super Bowl Snacks

Michele Foley — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 22:12:56 PST

In my house, Super Bowl Sunday equals Super Bowl snack time. Savory items like chips, dips, wings, and pizza are standard, but I also offer up healthy, lighter fare.

Intercept empty calories, sugar, and fat by making these better-for-you alternatives to the classics. With tasty food like this, you won't even miss the guacamole, ranch dip, or chicken wings!

Healthy Swaps: Best Choices For Protein-Rich Dairy

Jenny Sugar — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 13:25:29 PST

Depending on how active you are and how much you weigh, a woman needs about 60 to 100 grams of protein a day, which is a pretty hefty amount. Protein helps build lean muscle and can also help with weight loss, so it's important to get enough each day. Dairy products are a great vegetarian source of this macronutrient, but some foods are richer in protein than others. Check out these healthy swaps to find out how to get more protein at every meal, including snacks.

Source: Thinkstock

Join Us at the Table For a Virtual Super Bowl Spread!

Susannah Chen — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 09:05:42 PST

Can't wait for the Super Bowl to be here already? Well then you've lucked out, because this year, game day's come early - online, at least. Food Network's brought together some of the country's top food outlets for a virtual Super Bowl spread. From cocktails and appetizers to main dishes and desserts, this meal's got it all - and each recipe is one that you can re-create yourself at home.

Given our recent obsession with all things buffalo, it was only appropriate that we bring a pizza spin on buffalo wings to gobble down at this year's feast. See what the rest of our friends are bringing to the table when you read more.

Under 150 Calories: Veggie-Inspired Snacks

Jenny Sugar — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 14:03:58 PST

It's easy to grab an apple and some cheese, or a banana and a handful of nuts, but fruit isn't the only food on the snack menu. Veggies make tasty and satisfying bites as well. Need some new ideas? Besides the old carrots with hummus standby, here are some delicious veggie-inspired snacks, all for around or under 150 calories. And if you're into healthy eating, be sure to enter to win a year's supply of KIND bars and a food processor by Magimix.

One slice of whole wheat bread (100 calories), smeared with one tablespoon whipped cream cheese (35 calories), topped with four slices of cucumber (11 calories): 146 calories
Baked sweet potato fries made with one small sweet potato (112 calories) and one teaspoon olive oil (39 calories): 151 calories

Continue reading for more veggie-inspired snack ideas.