Go-to snacks that won’t break the calorie bank

Hey, mamas! If you’re like us and you often need a snack when your energy runs low, here are a few healthy snack ideas that don’t have too many calories but can help you avoid that “I’m SO hungry” feeling that can make a mama cranky or exhausted. Lately, I’m trying to find snacks that have at least one of the following: protein, fiber, whole grain, and/or fruit.

Here are five fast but tasty ideas:

Toast (I use Whole Wheat Pepperidge Farm) with a little butter and Smuckers’ Sugar-Free Raspberry Preserves

Dannon Light & Fit Greek Yogurt (Vanilla) with blueberries (or strawberries) plus a tablespoon or two of chopped walnuts (or almond slivers)

Watermelon chunks (The more water a food has in it, the less dense the calories are so you’ll feel fuller on fewer calories.)

If I’m craving something salty, I get a handful or two of nuts, either walnuts or peanuts or cashews. Nuts have protein and the walnuts have Omega 3’s. But the best part is that nuts will usually satisfy a hunger craving if you can just resist the urge to eat more than a handful or two. I try to put it in a small bowl and eat the nuts one at a time, which tricks my brain into thinking I’m eating more than I am. (Nuts are healthy but too many can really add to the day’s calorie level.)

For those times when you just really need a taste of chocolate, I like these frozen dark chocolate-dipped raspberries called TruFru. (I’ve only been able to find them at Target and Fresh Market so far.) Make sure you pay attention to the serving size. You can have about 4 or 5 of these for 90 calories. I eat them slowly and make it last as long as possible.