Glamour on a budget - Mattie Roberts

Email This Article To A Friend - Print This Article

Diet-Friendly Snacks
Monday, June 26, 2006

I have been watching my weight since...well, as long as I can remember! 'Skinny' does not come easily to me…my older sister got the thin gene, all leggy and bony. Not I. I have made my reduced-calorie diet a life-long endeavor, which is the only way to do it and be successful.

But we all err from time to time and then you have to be extra vigilant for the next couple of weeks. During those times I have a few little snacks that help get me through to the next weigh-in.

V8 Spicy Hot

35 Calories and a serving of veggies. I drink this before going out to dinner or to get me through a hungry afternoon. I always do the same on the plane. Just ask for Bloody Mary mix and some lime…it takes the edge off your hunger.

Sugar Free Jell-O

40 Calories for the whole pack. I make it in a big bowl and will eat the whole thing in the evening when I’m craving something sweet. Otherwise I keep it in the ice box and just get a couple of bites throughout the day. I like the black cherry flavor best!

Diet Swiss Miss and skim milk

65 Calories. The milk gives you the benefit of calcium and gives it some body. It doesn’t have that thin fake-y taste. I use ½ cup skim milk and one packet of hot chocolate.

Fresca and ½ cup Ocean Spray Light Cranberry

40 Calories. This is what I have after I’ve had a couple of glasses of champagne in the evening and I don’t want any more alcohol, yet I need that sugary/ fizzy feeling. If you are having cocktails, this is also good with vodka!

Kavli and cheese

140 calories…less if you use fat free cheese. Take three slices of Kavli Crispy Thin crackers in the Southwestern flavor (the picture shows the regular flavor but Whole Foods carries them in Southwestern). Sprinkle ¼ cup part skim shredded mozzarella over them and pop them in the micro for 30 seconds or so. They are very satisfying for a late-night snack that won’t wreck your calorie count. This goes well with the aforementioned Fresca drink!