FitSugar -- Healthy, happy you.

Snack Attack: Pre and Post Workout Snacks

FitSugar — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 10:00:00 -0700

People are always asking me what makes good pre- and post-workout snacks and so I am always on the lookout for them. As you can imagine, I was thrilled to see that MSNBC recently did an article on the best fuel for your workout and they are:

Before the workout:

A banana with yogurt.
A whole-wheat toasted bagel with fruit spread.
A quick bowl of instant oatmeal.

For a quick refuel after the workout, just

Snack Attack: Pre and Post Workout Snack Ideas

FitSugar — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 09:00:00 -0700

People are always asking me what they should eat before and after working out and the math is simple: aim for a high-carbohydrate, moderate protein, low-fat meal or snack. The problem comes in when trying to figure out what snacks and meals fall into those basic guidelines. I did a fun little quiz on foods for working out a while back, but recently Weight Watchers has summed up their favorite pre- and post-workout snacks/meals. They sound tasty and look easy, so I wanted to share them with you so you can get a few more ideas for yourself. They are:

Five pre-workout snack ideas:

Half a chicken, turkey or lean roast beef sandwich on whole-wheat bread
Low-fat yogurt with a sliced banana
Low-fat string cheese and 6 whole-grain crackers
Hard-boiled eggs, yolks removed and replaced with hummus. (Check out my own recipe here!)
Skim milk blended with frozen fruit to make a smoothie

For post-workout meal ideas just

Snack Attack: Fruit and Yogurt Popsicles

FitSugar — Sun, 10 Feb 2008 02:00:00 -0800

Even though it may be cold outside, I still crave ice cream (it's one of my downfalls). Store bought frozen yogurt is so much healthier than ice cream but many can contain a lot of added sugar. Instead, I like to whip up a batch of frozen yogurt popsicles with fresh fruit.

Want to see my recipe? Then

Super Bowl Snack: Make Your Own Hummus

FitSugar — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 03:00:00 -0800

The Super Bowl seems to be a lot about snacking, and it's easy to eat mindlessly when there are munchables right in front of you. So if you're throwing a Super Bowl party or attending someone else's, forget the cheesy nachos, buttery popcorn, and creamy veggie dips. Make some homemade hummus instead. It is so simple to make yourself and fresh veggies go so well with hummus.

Want to see my recipe? Then

Snack Attack: Sleepy Snacks

FitSugar — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 07:30:00 -0800

While I try to avoid eating less than three hours before bed, sometimes a girl just gets hungry. Luckily there are some snacks light in calories that make great bedtime snacks because they could actually help you fall asleep.

Here are some great suggestions from Joy Bauer for snacks that could help you improve your sleep:

Eat a light snack before bedtime to help produce serotonin (the calming hormone). Try a light snack — 200 calories or less — that’s mainly carbohydrate with a touch of protein. Many scientists claim that by combining an ample dose of carbohydrate together with a small amount of protein (which contains the amino acid tryptophan) your brain produces serotonin, which is known as the “calming hormone.” And when we’re calm, we are certainly more apt to fall asleep. Suggested bedtime snacks:

1 slice of whole wheat toast topped with 1 small slice of low-fat cheese

1/2 cup healthy cereal topped with 1/2 cup skim milk

1 banana with 1 teaspoon of peanut butter

1 rice cake topped with 1 tomato slice and 1 slice turkey breast

Source

Snack Attack: Make Your Own Twix

FitSugar — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 13:30:00 -0800

After posting about Twix's 100-Calorie Bars, user chrissy00 shared a great little snack idea that you can make on your own.

"Why not make your own healthy twix bar? I take 2 graham crackers (whole wheat), layer with sugar-free, low-carb (walden farms makes a great one) caramel, and sugar-free chocolate that is melted. Dip the graham cracker into the melted choc and smoosh together with the caramel and more chocolate. Much healthier and low in carbs and sugar free. Yummmm!"

Sounds like a tasty snack (or dessert) idea to me. If you try it out, share your thoughts in the comments section below.

Snack Attack: Healthy Treats for Your Freezer

FitSugar — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 03:00:00 -0800

Sometimes healthy snacks can get boring and it's nice to have some easy to make snacks on hand for anytime your tummy starts rumbling and you've already eaten dinner. eDiets has found the best healthy snacks to keep in your freezer and since I love almost everything on this list, especially Skinny Cow Ice Cream, I wanted to share it with you.

Birds Eye Steamfresh Veggies: One entire bag has less than 200 calories.
Skinny Cow Ice Cream: These delicious ice-cream sandwiches are 97-percent fat free and have only 140 calories
Sugar-Free Popsicles: They are low in calories and sugar-free!
Edamame: These soybeans are low in calories and easy to make -- all you have to do is boil some water.
Gardenburger: These are delicious and hearty and have around 100 calories per patty.
Kashi Go Lean Frozen Waffles: Each waffle has 8 grams of protein, 6 grams of fiber, and only 3 grams of fat!

What about you? Do you keep a "go to" snack in your freezer? Tell me what it is in the comments section below.

Holiday Eating Tip: Make a Thanksgiving Leftover Salad

FitSugar — Sat, 24 Nov 2007 02:00:00 -0800

After a heavy Thanksgiving meal, many of us are craving meals on the lighter side the following week — especially those of us who are trying to make it through the holidays without the inevitable weight gain! So for something lighter, make a salad with plenty of fresh vegetables topped with cubed or sliced leftover turkey.

Other ingredients to consider are dark purple salad greens, cherry tomatoes, green peppers, celery, leftover peas, chopped almonds, and hard-boiled eggs.

Top with a cranberry salad dressing that you can make on your own by mixing some leftover cranberry sauce with olive oil and a touch of balsamic vinegar.

Why I love this salad:

Turkey is high in protein, and I have a lot of it lying around.
Cranberry is among our list of favorite seasonal foods.
Mixed veggies provide you with a natural source of fabulous nutrients like vitamin c and lycopene, to name a few.
Olive oil and almonds are great sources for monounsaturated fat (aka the good fat).

Fit's Tip: Love cheese on your salad? Cheese is a great source of calcium but can be high in fat, so try topping with a cheese that is a little bit lower in fat naturally like Parmesan or Sap Sago (made from whey).

Lite'n It up Feature: Healthier Pizza Bagels

FitSugar — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 10:15:00 -0800

Due to the frozen pizza recall last week, we've been forced to get our pizza fixes other ways. Being that most frozen pizzas are not healthy, the silver lining was that this was a good opportunity for all of us to rid our freezers of them anyway.

User steen, not willing to tempt fate by buying any more frozen pizzas, found a fabulous recipe for Power Pizza Bagels from Parenting.com that was too good not to share with everyone!

To see the recipe, just

Snack Attack: Inexpensive and Nutritious Snacks (and Meals)

FitSugar — Thu, 04 Oct 2007 09:30:00 -0700

I've been a big Joy Bauer fan; she kind of has a tough love approach to eating. In her book, Food Cures, she gives great tips and tidbits on how to eat right, easily.

Joy has a little column/blog on Yahoo health, and her most recent entry about finding inexpensive, healthy snacks was right up my alley, particularly since I am always complaining about how expensive it is to be healthy.

Here are highlights:
Afternoon Snacks:

5 cups air-popped popcorn (2 tablespoons Jolly Time kernels) = 5 cents
1/4 cup raw almonds = 20 cents
1 Polly-O string cheese (from a large bag at a wholesale club) = 16 cents
1 apple = 50 cents
1 Nature Valley granola bar packet (from a large box at a wholesale club) = 16 cents

For some inexpensive and healthy meal ideas, just

Get the Snack: Cameron Diaz

FitSugar — Tue, 04 Sep 2007 23:30:00 -0700

Cameron Diaz has been looking very healthy and fit these days. We've seen her hit the gym and the beach for workouts lately and it sure is paying off.

Cameron's known for eating a bunch of small meals throughout the day, so it's no wonder that she was spotted toting around a very healthy snack recently. Honestly, it looks like a snack I could get into, so here's what she's eating:

Blue Corn Chips: They're great because they're made with organic corn, no hydrogenated oils, no artificial flavors or colors, no preservatives, no trans fat, made with expelled pressed oil, Kosher certified and cooked in filtered water.
GT's Organic Raw Kombucha: It's got probiotics, live active enzymes, L-Theanine (an amino acid), organic acids and Polyphenols (antioxidants). The taste is an acquired one, one that you love or hate.
Water. I'm actually surprised that Cameron is not drinking out of a reusable water bottle, like a Sigg, but water is important to drink through out the day. Here she's opted for a 1.5 liter bottle of Poland Spring.

It also looks like she has some healthy leftovers too, which she does have in a reusable container. I'd also be willing to bet there is some protein in there too.

There are more pics of Cammie and her healthy snack, not to mention her cute (and simple) headbands, so

Snack Attack: Mexican Pinwheels

FitSugar — Wed, 15 Aug 2007 07:30:00 -0700

I am always looking for snacks that are tasty and easy and this recipe for Mexican Pinwheels from the American Diabetes Association is one that you can make ahead of time and bring for lunch at work:

Mexican Pinwheels
Serving Size: 1 tortilla roll, sliced into pinwheels
Total Servings: 1
Prep time: 15 minutes
Chilling time: 2 hours

Ingredients:
2 Tbsp canned fat-free refried beans
1 10-inch tortilla
2 Tbsp diced tomato
2 Tbsp drained cooked corn, cooled
1 Tbsp reduced-fat sharp cheddar (optional)
1/2 Tbsp finely chopped cilantro (optional)
2 Tbsp mashed avocado
1 Tbsp fat-free sour cream
2 Tbsp salsa

Directions:
Spread the refried beans on the tortilla. Sprinkle tomato, corn, and if desired, cheese and cilantro onto refried beans. Mix avocado, sour cream, and salsa. Spread on top. Roll up, chill for at least 2 hours. Slice into 1-inch pinwheels.

For the nutritional information, just

Snack Attack: Red Ants on a Log

FitSugar — Wed, 30 May 2007 03:30:00 -0700

I'm sure everyone and their mother has had ants on a log, but I thought I'd share a little twist on the recipe. Mine is called Red Ants on a Log or Crants on a Log.

Here's what you'll need:

Washed celery stalks (trim off the end bits)
Peanut butter or Almond butter
Dried Cranberries

This is really complicated so pay close attention:

Spread some nut butter on the celery stalks.
Carefully place dried cranberries so they stick to the nut butter.
Then eat.

OK, I know this isn't some new breakthrough snack invention by any means, but it's definitely tasty and worth reminding you about. Since cranberries are one of the Top 5 Foods for Women, this is a delicious way to get those antioxidants. The peanut butter is also a great source of protein as is almond butter which also contains calcium. Plus this snack is fun and easy to make, and fun and easy to eat.

Snack Attack: Cucumber Boat with Lox Spread

FitSugar — Tue, 22 May 2007 09:30:00 -0700

Since bagels are so dang high in calories, I have been searching for a new way to satisfy my craving for lox spread sprinkled with capers. The substitute is a seeded cucumber boat!!! It is not only satisfying and delish, but talk about increasing your veggie intake!!!

Here's what you need:

Half an English cucumber
Light Lox Spread
Capers
Diced tomato

Here's what you do:

Cut the cucumber in half lengthwise. Scoop out the seeds.
Fill cucumber "boat" with lox spread.
Sprinkle with capers and tomatoes.
Eat and enjoy!!!

Fit's Tip: Smoked salmon is a great source of omega-3 fatty acids even though it is smoke cured salmon. Also, you can make your own schmear with canned salmon and light or non-fat cream cheese.

Snack Attack: Oscar Night Popcorn

FitSugar — Fri, 23 Feb 2007 12:00:00 -0800

Whenever I curl up on the couch in front of a good movie, I have to have a bowl of freshly popped popcorn. So the same goes for the Oscars - a night celebrating all the movies we love. Now I'm not talking about microwave popcorn here, there's way too much garbage in it.

There's two ways I make it:

1. The old-fashioned way:

Take a 1 quart size saucepan and pour enough canola oil on bottom just to cover it with a thin layer. You can also use olive oil, but I don't think it tastes as good.
Now pour 1/4 cup loose popcorn kernels in, shaking the pan a little to coat them with the oil.
Turn the burner on between medium and high. Place a top on the pan and shake it constantly from side to side over the heat. You get to work your arms a little bit too.
You'll start to hear the kernels begin to pop. Once the popping slows down a great deal, take the pan off the heat and pour the popcorn into another bowl.
Allow it to cool off a bit before sprinkling it with salt.

Want to know an incredibly easy way to make popcorn without the oil? Then

Snack Attack: Chocolate Ice Cubes

FitSugar — Fri, 16 Feb 2007 04:00:00 -0800

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!

Snack Attack: Frozen Fruit + Nonfat Whipped Topping

FitSugar — Wed, 07 Feb 2007 07:30:00 -0800

We are always looking for yummy and healthy things to snack on. Sick of just eating plain fruit but still want to get the nutritional benefits of fruit? Well, thanks to user, blueberry07, you can! Her light snack idea for Frozen Fruit and Nonfat Whipped Topping sounds like a hit for anyone with a freezer.

"The title's pretty self-explanatory, but I love eating frozen fruit with nonfat whipped topping (aka nonfat whipped "cream"). My favorite fruits to eat frozen are blueberries, mango, and pineapple, but anything will do! When I want berries, mango, or pineapple, I buy frozen fruit. But on occasion, I'll want grapes, which I freeze on my own."

Thank you blueberry 07! Sounds tasty, light and easy on the wallet (and waistline), doesn't it? I can't wait to do this for dessert tonight or maybe even with breakfast tomorrow! Such an easy idea to use frozen fruit and a great way to trick the mind into thinking you're eating some frosty, high-calorie treat.

Do you have a "go to" snack that is healthy? 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!

Snack Attack: Bag Your Own

FitSugar — Thu, 01 Feb 2007 12:00:00 -0800

Usually in the Snack Attack Group, we share fab, quick and easy (and healthy) snack ideas. This is more of a concept than a recipe, but I thought it fits the group nonetheless. If you want more snack ideas, check out the group -- User suzanne has been posting some really delicious looking things in there.

You've all seen them in stores: Single serving snack packs, 100 calories snacks, etc. From chips to cookies to cereal, you can buy it in single serving, snack size. I'm all for this theory, but sometimes you are paying extra for something you can do just as easily on your own (which I am not all for). Buy some snack-size resealable plastic bags, and make your own single-serving packets by looking at the serving size on the label for calories. This way you can pick virtually anything you want but still get the ease of having pre-measured snacks. You'll save money and get to eat more of what you want. To go a step further, make your own trail mix.

I am sure one of you guys have a great snack idea for trail mix, so share it with everyone and post it in the Snack Attack Group. I may even choose to feature your snack in my next snacks post!

Snack Attack: Make Your Own Hummus

FitSugar — Wed, 31 Jan 2007 08:30:00 -0800

You can buy hummus just about anywhere these days, but nothing compares to the taste when it's freshly made. And it's really easy to make - the hardest part is buying all of the ingredients.

What You'll Need:

1 can of garbanzo beans (chick peas)
2 cloves of garlic, minced (you can always use more)
1 - 2 tbsp tahini (it's made out of ground up sesame seeds)
Juice from 1/3 of a lemon
2 tbsp olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste

Place all of the ingredients in a blender for a few minutes, or until the mixture is creamy and smooth.

Serve in a bowl with fresh vegetables and sliced pita bread. Or even better, try it with homemade pita chips. This would also be a great snack to have while watching the Super Bowl.

Fit's Tips: This is a basic recipe, so play around with it - add your own special ingredients like grated carrots or artichoke hearts.

Snack Attack: Pudding in a Cone

FitSugar — Fri, 26 Jan 2007 11:30:00 -0800

We are always looking for yummy and healthy things to snack on. Looking for a way to satisfy your sweet tooth without the calorie gain? Well, thanks to user, AtlantaNoleGirl, you now can! Her yummy Pudding in a Cone snack sounds like a hit for adults and kids. Thank you!

"This is a snack I enjoy even when I'm not counting calories- but when I am, it certainly helps me kill my cravings. It's simple. I scoop one Fat-Free Jello Pudding Cup (I like Chocolate, but use whatever you want) into an ice cream cone (the cake style cones). Then I eat it like you would an ice cream cone.

The pudding is 100 calories, and the cone is surprisingly only 30! It's perfect because it has got rich creamy chocolate and a satisfying crunch for under 150 calories!"

Sounds yummy and oh so easy, doesn't it? I can't wait to do this tonight!

Do you have a "go to" snack that is healthy? Maybe bumps on a log or rice cakes with natural peanut butter are you thing. 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!

Snack Attack: Healthy Trifle

FitSugar — Thu, 11 Jan 2007 10:00:00 -0800

Looking for a yummy snack? Or an easy breakfast?

Thank you to user Suzanne for sharing with us her snack idea for a healthy trifle recipe (and the beautiful picture of it too).

What could be better than all your “start the day” healthy foods assembled into the yummiest breakfast or snack you’ve ever tasted – and ready to just scoop into a bowl and enjoy before running out the door!

Breakfast/Snack Trifle:

1/2 cup dried unsweetened cranberries
1/2 cup fresh Blueberries
1/2 cup strawberries in bite sized pieces
6-8 (4 oz). packs Dannon Light & Fit Vanilla Cream yogurt
3/4 cup muesli or granola or crumbled protein bar or any other whole grain thing you like to start your day with...
1/3 cup raw sliced almonds
1/4 cup uncooked rolled oats

In a pretty bowl, sprinkle the cranberries on the bottom. Top with 1/3 of your yogurt to cover. Top that with the fresh fruits. Then 1/3 more of the yogurt – then sprinkle on your whole grain of choice, top with remainder of the yogurt and sprinkle the top with the sliced almonds and oats.

Why I like it: The base of this recipe is a calcium rich vanilla cream yogurt that has only 3 grams of carbs and an impressive 5 grams of protein with only 3 grams of fat. Add to that the red fruits, whole grains, nuts and the touch of vitamin C from the strawberries and you’re good to go. While you’re dishing out your morning portion, why not scoop up a bit to pack and go for a midday snack!

Have your own healthy snacks? Join the Snack Attack Group and share you ideas with everyone! You could be picked to be featured for an upcoming "Snack Attack!"

Snack Attack: Walnut Raisin Oatmeal

FitSugar — Fri, 05 Jan 2007 10:00:00 -0800

Cold weather makes me crave warm foods, which unfortunately take more time to prepare. That's why I like making a big batch of something and storing it in the fridge - then you can scoop out as much as you want and re-heat it for a quick warm snack or meal.

Walnut Raisin Oatmeal is one of my favorites, and it's not just for breakfast, anymore.

You'll need:

2 cups water or milk
2 cups 100% whole grain oats (you can also use quick oats - they just dontt have as much fiber)
1/3 cup maple syrup or honey
2 medium apples: cored, peeled, and diced
2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 cup raisins or dried cranberries
1/2 cup walnuts

Bring the water or milk to a gentle boil. Stir in oats, apples, and syrup or honey. Return to a boil, then reduce to medium heat. Cook 5 minutes (1 minute for quick oats), or until liquid is absorbed. Remove from heat, then stir in cinnamon, walnuts, and raisins.

Place it in a big Tupperware container, or divide it into 4 containers, to be easily warmed up in the microwave later.

Why we love it:
Whole grains such as oats are healthy for your heart, lower your cholesterol, and are a good source of fiber.
Dried fruits such as raisins or cranberries give you energy, and are low in fat. Raisins are also good for your teeth.
Walnuts are high in "good" fats, so they help to reduce the "bad" cholesterol.

Do you have a great recipe featuring raisins? Then check out YumSugar's secret ingredient group because this week the ingredient is raisins!!!!!

Snack Attack: Marvelous Melon

FitSugar — Thu, 28 Dec 2006 13:19:05 -0800

Who could pass up the crisp and refreshing taste of melon? It's great in fruit salad and it cools you down in the summer. If you are craving a little bit of summer try this incredibly easy snack.

What you'll need:

Melon (any kind but watermelon)
1 cup of cottage cheese

Take the melon (my fave is cantaloupe) and cut it in half.
Scoop out all the seeds.
Fill the melon bowl with cottage cheese or yogurt.
Serve as is and scoop out bite-sized spoonfuls. Or if you prefer - you can cut the cantaloupe up and serve on a plate.

Why we love it:
Melons like cantaloupe are high in vitamins A and C, and potassium. They are low in calories and easy to digest.
Cottage cheese and yogurt are great sources of calcium and protein - try using the low fat versions.

Plus, it's so easy to make and if you use the melon like a bowl, it is easy to clean up too.

Snack Attack: Frozen Yogurt Popsicles

FitSugar — Fri, 22 Dec 2006 09:48:37 -0800

This snack couldn't be easier, and that's why I love it. It takes a teensy bit of planning ahead and that's it.

You know in the yogurt section, you can buy those tubes of yogurt they sell for kids? Pick up a box - my favorite are the Stonyfield Farm YoKids Squeezers because they contain no corn syrup or gelatin. (Yes - I know they're for kids, but they still have protein and calcium).

When you get home, put them the whole box in the freezer. That's it - instant popsicle.

Why we love it:

Yogurt is great for your digestive system because of the enzymes in it. And eating a protein-filled snack is a much better choice than one that's high-carb because it'll give you energy and won't leave you feeling tired.

Fit's Tips: Eating it frozen is fun for you and for kids - try it instead of ice cream.

Snack Attack: Frozen Peanut Butter Banana

FitSugar — Wed, 20 Dec 2006 09:00:00 -0800

Even though it is cold outside, and maybe even because of the cold, I crave ice cream. To satisfy my sweet (and cold) tooth I reach for a frozen banana filled with peanut butter.

Here's how you make it:

Take a very ripe banana, since frozen foods tend to be less sweet, slice it almost in half lengthwise. Make sure to not cut the banana all the way in two.
Put your favorite kind of peanut butter inside the banana. I like salted and crunchy.
Wrap the stuffed banana tightly in plastic wrap and freeze for 3 or more hours.
Unwrap and eat.

Why we love it:
Bananas are high in potassium, vitamin C and vitamin B6.
Peanut Butter is a good source of protein.
It is frozen so it takes a while to eat and eating more slowly increases the satisfaction. Plus it is a great ice cream substitute.

Healthier Potato Latkes

FitSugar — Thu, 14 Dec 2006 16:30:00 -0800

Whether you are Jewish or not, everyone loves a good potato latke. And since Hanukkah is coming up, I thought I'd share one of my favorite recipes.

The thing is, this tradition of making latkes has to do with celebrating the miracle of oil, so you can't exactly remove the oil in the recipe. I've had baked latkes before - they're just not the same.

It's ok to live it up a little, especially around the holidays. The calories don't count anyway when you eat them with family, right? Right.

Why not compromise by using less oil? Instead of frying them in a sea of oil, try using only enough oil to cover the pan.

If you want to know how to make them,

Snack Attack: Almond Butter and Apples

FitSugar — Thu, 14 Dec 2006 13:00:00 -0800

This is such a quick snack, and for that reason alone it is one of my favorites.

What you'll need:

Apples
Almond butter
Granola
Skewers

Slice the apples, keeping the peels on.
Strategically place the skewers in the slices, without letting the pointy part poke through.
Spread the almond butter on one side of the apple slices.
Sprinkle the granola on the almond butter and enjoy.

Why we love it:
Apples are full of fiber, so when you eat them, they fill you up and leave you feeling satisfied.
Almond butter is so delicious and a great source of protein.
Granola, the kind made with whole grain oats, contains antioxidants, good carbs, and soluble fiber - oats help reduce cholesterol and the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Eating with skewers is not only fun, it keeps your fingers from getting all sticky.

Snack Attack: Craving Salt?

FitSugar — Fri, 08 Dec 2006 11:11:44 -0800

So often when I want a pick-me-up snack, I'm craving something quick and salty. But reaching for a high-carb snack such as crackers or pretzels, often leaves me feeling even more tired.

Why not make a high-protein salty treat ahead of time that you can stick in the fridge and reach for anytime you need to satisfy that craving?

Baked Tofu doesn't take much time to make.

Ingredients:

1 block of extra firm tofu (press it between 2 plates to get all the extra water out)
Tamari or soy sauce
Honey
Thyme, Dill and Cumin

Pre-heat the oven to 350°F. Slice the tofu in 1/4 inch slabs, then cut those in half, so each piece is about as big as 2 quarters. Place all the pieces flat on an oiled cookie sheet. Pour tamari on every piece to "stain" them tan. Drop a dab of honey on every piece. Then sprinkle each piece with thyme, dill, and cumin. Bake for 30-40 min, or until the tofu looks firm and dry.

Why we love it:
Tofu is a great source of protein.
Honey is a much better option than sugar because it contains vitamins and minerals.

Fit's Tip: It's delicious eaten alone, but why not put it in a sandwich, or top it on your salad.

Snack Attack: Thanksgiving Leftovers!

FitSugar — Mon, 27 Nov 2006 09:01:18 -0800

After a heavy Thanksgiving meal, many of us want to snack on lighter things the following week-- especially dieters who are trying to make it through the holidays without the inevitable weight gain! So for something lighter, make a salad with plenty of fresh vegetables topped with cubed or sliced leftover turkey.

Other ingredients to consider:
Dark purple salad greens, cherry tomatoes, green peppers, celery, leftover peas, chopped almonds and hard boiled eggs (peeled, sliced and yolks removed).

Top with a cranberry salad dressing that you can make on your own by mixing some leftover cranberry sauce with olive oil and a touch of balsamic vinegar.

Why we love this snack:
Salads are great for you period.
Turkey is high in protein.
Cranberry is among our list of foods that are really good for you.
Vegetables provide you with a natural source of fabulous nutrients like vitamin c and lycopene.
Olive oil and Almonds are great sources for monounsaturated fat (the good fat).

Fit's Tip: Lots of people love to have bits of cheese on their salad. Cheese is a great source of Calcium but can be high in fat. Try topping with a cheese that is a little bit lower in fat naturally like Parmesan or Sap Sago (made from whey).

Snack Attack: Pears, Blue cheese and walnuts

FitSugar — Mon, 20 Nov 2006 09:10:00 -0800

1 Bosc Pear, sliced
1 ounce creamy Blue cheese - like Danish
1/4 cup chopped walnuts

Spread a thin layer of cheese onto the pear slice and sprinkle with nuts. YUM.

Why we like it:
Pears are high fiber and have a good amount of vitamin C. They are a good cracker substitute too.
Blue cheese In my opinion what is NOT to like about blue cheese plus it provides calcium. If you don't like the Blue try a soft goat cheese.
Walnuts are high in omega 3 fatty acids.

Fit's tip: Bosc pears are an instant gratification pear - they are eaten when they're hard, so there's often no need to wait for them to ripen.

Snack Attack: Grapes - Freeze 'em

FitSugar — Fri, 17 Nov 2006 09:45:00 -0800

So you've eaten grapes before. Red ones. Green ones. And even bluish blackish ones. With seeds and without. You've got it covered. But have you ever tried freezing them?

For a fun snack: Stick clean and dried grapes (you choose the color) in a snack size Ziploc baggie and put them in the freezer. After a couple of hours in they'll be ready for snacking.

Why we like it: Frozen grapes satisfy the sweet tooth with no added sugar. YUM.

Snack Attack: Make your own Trail Mix

FitSugar — Wed, 15 Nov 2006 09:00:00 -0800

Trail mix is a great treat and there are so many variations which means you can make you own to suit all your snacking needs.

Just mix up some dried fruit (that hasn’t been loaded with sugar) with some nuts (that haven’t been loaded with salt or extra oils). If you need a bit of chocolate (I often do), add a small handful of chocolate chips (or mini chips) to the mix. But control yourself and make sure the ratio is about 3:1 - nuts and fruit, to chocolate.

Why we like it:
Nuts are high in fiber and protein.
Dried fruits are high in fiber and have a great chewy texture to entertain your mouth (isn’t that really the purpose of a snack).
Chocolate needs no explanation.

For some of my favorite mixes

Snack Attack: Stuffed Celery Canape

FitSugar — Mon, 13 Nov 2006 09:00:00 -0800

Looking to update the classic childhood snack of peanut butter and celery? Well for starters, calling it a canape helps. For some slightly more mature variations read on.

Low fat chive cream cheese. Good creamy texture of cream cheese (but with reduced calories and fat) and the chives add a bit of zing to the flavor.
Light Laughing Cow cheese wedge. You might also know these as as Babybel, but the light cheeses are soft and spreadable and come in multiple yummy flavors.
Hummus. You know I love hummus. It adds some iron to the crunch of the celery.
Almond Butter. I like mine raw, salted and chunky (I did say "slightly more mature.")

Why we like it:
Celery is a staple of most kitchens, so hopefully you will have some around to experiment with. It is a great veggie - super low in calories, high in fiber and vitamin C.

Source

Snack Attack: Tzatziki, No Longer Greek to Me

FitSugar — Fri, 10 Nov 2006 08:53:45 -0800

I recently spent some time in Greece and I literally lived on Tzatziki and pita the entire time I was there.

Convinced it was going to keep the memories alive at home, I have been making a healthier version of this tasty Greek style dip.

Ingredients:

2 cups of non-fat yogurt
2 large cucumbers
2 tablespoons minced garlic (or 2 garlic cloves)
10 fresh mint leaves
A handful of dill (or if you're like me and don't like dill you can leave this step out)

Put all the ingredients in a food processor and pulse until mixed well. You can decide how chunky you want it to be but it should be close to the consistency of ranch dressing (with cucumber bits mixed in). Store in the refrigerator for 2 hours or until ready to serve. Serve with veggies and whole wheat pita, or pita chips.

Why we love it:
Yogurt is a great source of calcium. Try to get organic and Live & Active cultured yogurt to really reap the health benefits.
Cucumbers are very low in calories as well as a great way to help cleanse your insides.
Garlic can fight a common cold (and cough) and could also be effective in the fight against cholesterol.
Mint is great for soothing an upset stomach, it opens airways to help breathing and is a good source of Vitamin C (for an herb at least).

Fit's Tip: This is a great snack to serve if you will be entertaining guests because it can be prepared in advance.

Snack Attack: Pita - Not Just for Pockets

FitSugar — Wed, 08 Nov 2006 09:21:00 -0800

If you thought that pita bread was only for sandwiches, I'm here to tell that pita is for so much more - you can make your own pita chips at home.

Here's how:
Preheat your oven to 400° first.
Take 2 circles of pita and separate the bread in half, so you have 4 circles. Place them on top of each other and cut them all into 8 wedges.

Lightly spray wedges with olive oil cooking spray and sprinkle them with a little salt and pepper.

Bake on a cookie sheet for 7 - 10 minutes, or until toasted.

Let the chips cool, then use them to dip into salsa, hummus, or tzatziki. They're also great for nachos.

Why we like it:
Whole wheat pita is high in fiber and low in carbs.
Baked chips are considerably less fattening than fried chips. They keep for a couple of days in the refrigerator. If they seem limp after storage, just pop them into the oven for a few minutes to re-crisp.

Fit's tip: Create different flavored chips by sprinkling the chips with different herbs, spices and/or garlic before you bake the pita wedges.

Snack Attack: Not So Devilish Eggs

FitSugar — Mon, 06 Nov 2006 09:00:00 -0800

Ingredients:
1 dozen eggs
1 16 oz. container of Hummus (you can go with any variety you want)
A few pinches of Paprika
A handful of slivered almonds

*Hard boil the eggs. Cut the eggs in halves (length-wise) and remove the yolk. Fill the hole where the yolk was in each half with a scoop of hummus. Top with a few raw, slivered almonds and a pinch of paprika. Do this for each egg half.

Why we like it: Deviled eggs are a typical and easy snack but hardly a healthy one due to the yolk and mayonnaise concoction that makes the deviled egg so devilish.
Hummus (rather than a yolk-mayo mixture) cuts the fat and adds iron.
Paprika adds a bit of Lycopene.
Almonds provide some good fats (yup, such a thing exists) that help lower cholesterol.
Egg whites are always a great source of protein.

*How to hard boil an egg: Put all the eggs in a pot and cover fully with cold water. Cook until water boils. Then boil the eggs for an additional 10 minutes. Remove from heat and rinse under cold water.

Talk about a healthy snack.