Snack Attack
It’s 5:30 and you are finally home from work. It’s been a long day and you want nothing more than to veg out on your couch. Your stomach is growling and the first thing you do is grab a bag of chips or box of crackers and cheese and sit down and start stuffing your face. Don’t! Save yourself tons of calories by eating something that is already prepackaged (like a 100 calorie snack pack), yogurt, veggies, or fruit. One way to avoid afternoon snacking is to go for a walk with a friend or a pet. Another way to avoid snacking right after work is to know exactly what you are having for dinner and already have it pre-made. Maybe leftovers from the night before, something super quick and easy, or have your man cook for you while you do one of my videos :o)
It is proven that people who exercise tend to eat healthier and do not eat as much. If you are an exerciser, do not think that just because you exercised extra hard today that you can sit down with a tub of ice cream or a Double Whopper and think you are doing yourself any favors.
You can really sabotage your diet during afternoon snacking and midnight snacking. A good way to curb a midnight hunger pang is to drink a small glass of milk before going to bed. This will help keep you satisfied through the night and might even help you sleep a little sounder.
Here are some good ideas for afternoon snacks if you just need something before dinner time.
1 Tbsp peanut butter (all natural) or almond butter smeared onto 1 small apple (sliced)
1 Tbsp peanut butter (all natural) spread onto celery sticks with raisins……remember these as kids?! Great snack!
3 cups of air popped popcorn sprinkled with cocoa powder
1 laughing cow cheese with 7 triscuits
1 slice 50 calorie bread, 3-4 strawberries sliced thin, 1 Tbsp reduced fat cream cheese
1 large peach and 3 oz vanilla greek yogurt (non fat)
7 reduced fat wheat thins spread with 2 Tbsp Supremely spicy (or garlic) hummus
6 oz Greek Yogurt (non fat) with 1 Tbsp low fat granola mixed in
12 Mint Chocolate almonds (not covered in chocolate, but flavored) and 2 Tbsp golden raisins
1 part skim string cheese with 15 walnuts
1 serving of cinnamon cheerios (make sure to measure because these little guys can be addicting!)
An easy granola recipe: Homemade Almond and Cranberry Granola
3 cups old fashioned oats
1 1/2 tbsp splenda brown sugar mix
1/2 cup sliced almonds, toasted for about 3-4 minutes
1/2 cup dried cranberries
pinch of salt
6 tbsp sugar free or no sugar added light syrup
1 tbsp canola oil
2 tsp vanilla or almond extract
Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Toss the oats, brown sugar, almonds, cranberries, and salt in a large mixing bowl. Whisk together the syrup, canola oil, and extract together in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium heat. Simmer for 2 minutes, whisking occasionally. Pour warm syrup mixture over oat mixture and toss to coat. Spread evenly over the greased (spray with olive oil or Pam) baking sheet. Bake for 30 minutes, stirring to prevent burning every 10 minutes. Let cool completely before serving.
Mix the granola into yogurt or sprinkle on top of a sliced banana for a yummy snack.
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