You get home from work and you’re starving, but dinnertime isn’t for another 2 hours. Raiding the cupboards is looking extremely tempting. Sound familiar? The last thing you want to do is start eating anything and everything you find because calories add up fast! With some grocery shopping in advance, you can stock your kitchen with healthy snack options that will tide you over until dinnertime, without doing excessive calorie damage.
A recent article from RealSimple.com lists 42 low calorie snack suggestions. Below are a few favorites that have worked in satisfying me until dinnertime (and also help keep me from overeating at dinner).
2 clementines and 7 walnut halves
163 calories, 3g fiber, 3g protein, 9g fat
Grapes (½ cup) plus 1 stick light mozzarella string cheese
102 calories, 1g fiber, 7g protein, 3g fat
1 hard-cooked egg mashed with 1 teaspoon light mayonnaise plus a pinch of celery salt and 1 slice whole-wheat bread
163 calories, 2g fiber, 10g protein, 8g fat
Soy nuts (¼ cup) plus 1 tablespoon dark chocolate chips
190 calories, 6g fiber, 12g protein, 9g fat
1 packet plain instant oatmeal (made with water) plus ½ cup blueberries
162 calories, 5g fiber, 5g protein, 3g fat
Half a cucumber, sliced, plus 3 tablespoons hummus
98 calories, 4g fiber, 5g protein, 4g fat
1 cup low-fat kefir and 1 peach - No, I don't mean Kiefer Sutherland! Kefir is a fermented milk drink made with kefir grains.
168 calories, 2g fiber, 12g protein, 2g fat
Don’t forget about the option of blending up a quick healthy smoothie!
RealSimple.com explains that the optimal snack equation for good nutrition includes at least 3 grams of fiber and 5 grams of protein. The fiber is slowly digested, helps sustain energy, and helps keep you full. Protein releases a hormone that increases satiety, which is feeling satisfied and full.
These are only a few snack options to curb your appetite before dinner. What are some of your favorite healthy snacks? Do they keep you from overeating before and at dinnertime?