Lizzie B
04-28-03, 06:32 PM
the secret to skinny snacking
You're hungry. Tired. Craving. You're looking for a snack that will quickly squash your urge to munch. The big question is: What will truly satisfy your hunger?
Your friend swears by graham crackers spread with jelly but that doesn’t mean that they'll do it for you. In fact, all that sugar may just make some people hungrier. So before you reach for a snack, look over our snacking personalities below. Pinpoint the type of food you’re truly craving on the first try and you won't end up tasting everything in your kitchen cabinets.
Snacking Personalities 101
I want A LOT
If you're a volume eater, think small: Mini chocolates (like mini M&M’s), bite-size cookies or small cheese-flavored crackers (such as Pepperidge Farm Goldfish). Low calorie items are key as well. You get a sizable amount of light popcorn, baby carrots and black bean dip, or flavored rice cakes, for not a lot of POINTS®.
In need of a quick energy boost
High sugar foods are your best bet. Go for juice, dried fruit, jelly beans, licorice, or even chocolate.
I need a longer-lasting snack
You can gobble down a candy bar in seconds but an ice pop, hard candies or frozen grapes take longer to eat. As an alternative, a piping hot cappuccino or steaming mug of hot chocolate can also do the trick.
Hold me over for hours
A lollipop may take a while to eat but its high sugar dose can be used up in a flash. High fiber snacks that contain some protein and fat can stave off hunger for the long haul. Great options include whole grain crackers and light cheese, peanut butter and apple slices, or a small handful of nuts and dried fruit.
Give me lots to munch
Can't give up your nightly TV-watching snack habit? Try healthy, lower calorie items like pepper strips, grape tomatoes, crudités and salsa, light microwave popcorn or roasted chickpeas.
Just keep my hands busy
When emotional eating kicks in and a non-food activity like a walk just won’t cut it, opt for snacks that take some time to prepare: peanuts in the shell, fruit you have to peel (try a whole pineapple!), or a sundae made with yogurt, chopped fruit and cereal. By the time you’re done prepping and eating them, your emotions may well be on the upswing.
WeightWatchers.com Community Board Snack Suggestions
Here's what your fellow WeightWatchers.com users say best nips their snack cravings in the bud.
SALTY SNACKS WHY THE APPEAL
GeniSoy Soy Crisps Great potato chip alternative
Laughing Cow Cheese and fat-free crackers Creamy and crunchy
Mozzarella cheese rolled in a corn tortilla Great mini meal - pan "fry" it and dip into salsa
Baked Doritos Taste like the real deal
Celery and fat-free or low fat onion dip Celery is a perfect zero POINT substitute for chips with dip
SWEET SNACKS WHY THE APPEAL
Diet hot chocolate (20 calories or less) A sweet freebie
Sugar-free Jell-O with lite Cool Whip Can't tell the difference from the real thing
Just 2 POINTS! bars The caramel one tastes just like a candy bar
Fresh strawberries topped with fat-free Cool Whip Healthy with a sweet twist
TasteTations sucking candies Long lasting sweetness and you
www.weightwatchers.com
You're hungry. Tired. Craving. You're looking for a snack that will quickly squash your urge to munch. The big question is: What will truly satisfy your hunger?
Your friend swears by graham crackers spread with jelly but that doesn’t mean that they'll do it for you. In fact, all that sugar may just make some people hungrier. So before you reach for a snack, look over our snacking personalities below. Pinpoint the type of food you’re truly craving on the first try and you won't end up tasting everything in your kitchen cabinets.
Snacking Personalities 101
I want A LOT
If you're a volume eater, think small: Mini chocolates (like mini M&M’s), bite-size cookies or small cheese-flavored crackers (such as Pepperidge Farm Goldfish). Low calorie items are key as well. You get a sizable amount of light popcorn, baby carrots and black bean dip, or flavored rice cakes, for not a lot of POINTS®.
In need of a quick energy boost
High sugar foods are your best bet. Go for juice, dried fruit, jelly beans, licorice, or even chocolate.
I need a longer-lasting snack
You can gobble down a candy bar in seconds but an ice pop, hard candies or frozen grapes take longer to eat. As an alternative, a piping hot cappuccino or steaming mug of hot chocolate can also do the trick.
Hold me over for hours
A lollipop may take a while to eat but its high sugar dose can be used up in a flash. High fiber snacks that contain some protein and fat can stave off hunger for the long haul. Great options include whole grain crackers and light cheese, peanut butter and apple slices, or a small handful of nuts and dried fruit.
Give me lots to munch
Can't give up your nightly TV-watching snack habit? Try healthy, lower calorie items like pepper strips, grape tomatoes, crudités and salsa, light microwave popcorn or roasted chickpeas.
Just keep my hands busy
When emotional eating kicks in and a non-food activity like a walk just won’t cut it, opt for snacks that take some time to prepare: peanuts in the shell, fruit you have to peel (try a whole pineapple!), or a sundae made with yogurt, chopped fruit and cereal. By the time you’re done prepping and eating them, your emotions may well be on the upswing.
WeightWatchers.com Community Board Snack Suggestions
Here's what your fellow WeightWatchers.com users say best nips their snack cravings in the bud.
SALTY SNACKS WHY THE APPEAL
GeniSoy Soy Crisps Great potato chip alternative
Laughing Cow Cheese and fat-free crackers Creamy and crunchy
Mozzarella cheese rolled in a corn tortilla Great mini meal - pan "fry" it and dip into salsa
Baked Doritos Taste like the real deal
Celery and fat-free or low fat onion dip Celery is a perfect zero POINT substitute for chips with dip
SWEET SNACKS WHY THE APPEAL
Diet hot chocolate (20 calories or less) A sweet freebie
Sugar-free Jell-O with lite Cool Whip Can't tell the difference from the real thing
Just 2 POINTS! bars The caramel one tastes just like a candy bar
Fresh strawberries topped with fat-free Cool Whip Healthy with a sweet twist
TasteTations sucking candies Long lasting sweetness and you
www.weightwatchers.com