OT: what is the perfect snack?

[nmevan]

hello fellow cpapers,

I'm trying to lose weight...but it's very hard for me to not have a snack now and then....in the middle of every day to be exact.
I'm trying to do the low-carb thing.
Baby carrots don't cut it.... neither do nuts, since it's impossible for me to just eat a few.
Any good suggestions out there?

thanks

evan

[ughwhatname]

hello fellow cpapers,

I'm trying to lose weight...but it's very hard for me to not have a snack now and then....in the middle of every day to be exact.
I'm trying to do the low-carb thing.
Baby carrots don't cut it.... neither do nuts, since it's impossible for me to just eat a few.
Any good suggestions out there?

thanks

evan

How about nuts in the shell? That will slow you down.

[Stormynights]

Celery and peanut butter as long as you go lightly on the peanut butter.

[Todzo]

hello fellow cpapers,

I'm trying to lose weight...but it's very hard for me to not have a snack now and then....in the middle of every day to be exact.
I'm trying to do the low-carb thing.
Baby carrots don't cut it.... neither do nuts, since it's impossible for me to just eat a few.
Any good suggestions out there?

thanks

evan

First of all I think it is wise to get a lot of protein into you early in the day. There are studies and other indications that we mammals tend to have an appetite driven to satisfy our need for protein. If I meet that early in the day I have less of a tendency to snack.

I do love smoked salmon!

The second thing is that a snack should come in a “snack sized bag”. I now bag things that come in big bags as soon as they enter my home. Then there is the “bag of bags” which I hide from myself in a closet with one or two “snack sized bags” up high in another nearby cupboard. When the single bag is done the snack is done. For nuts I have a certain number (say 9-12 almonds for example) which I count out so when they are done the snack is done. I think they also make very little size bags that would work for nuts. For me it does pay off to bag things. Good portion control.

Third – set a fiber goal! You need to eat a variety of veggies – “colors of the rainbow” if you will. Try things you have never eaten. Try them raw without condiment. I love to eat raw veggies of various kinds throughout the day.

Fourth – the bowel of fruit. Stock it with things you love and also things you have never tried. Make it visible. See, smell, love. Fruit does have carbs but is not greatly calorie dense and comes with fiber. The fiber will tend to form a covering network on the surface of your gut which will tend to slow down the speed at which the simple carbs enter your system. The natural fruit will also contain good bacteria so it is not only prebiotic but probiotic. It is great food and makes a great snack.

Fifth – veggie bags. Just sandwich bags filled with some washed chopped veggies. Growing up this was always carrots and celery which is a great daily thing. But anything goes and all things probably should. If it is ready to eat you probably will.

[Furielsky]

I have started making my own snacks. Like chicken breast jerky and treats made with splenda. I find if I make them myself I know whats in them and I take my time eating them because its alot of time and work to make more. Plus I love cooking so theres another perk. Try Natures bounty crunchy granola or some deer jerky. Also sunflower seeds in shell are fun and time consuming. Hope all goes well for you good luck!

[JeffL]

I was going to say, tongue in cheek, that the perfect snack was chocolate chip cookies, but on a serious note, I've become completely addicted to frozen grapes... both red and green.
https://www.google.com/webhp?hl=en&lr=l ... r:lang_1en
They've got to be the greatest snack ever invented
BTW, I also like my chocolate chip cookies frozen... I get all the good taste, but it slows down the comsumption

[HoseCrusher]

I don't think there is a "perfect" snack. There are a variety of excellent snacks including fruits, vegies, nuts, jerky, and smoked products.

The key is that when you feel like you need a snack start with drinking a glass of pure water. Many times we get dehydrated and this seems to manifest itself as hunger.

[49er]

hello fellow cpapers,

I'm trying to lose weight...but it's very hard for me to not have a snack now and then....in the middle of every day to be exact.
I'm trying to do the low-carb thing.
Baby carrots don't cut it.... neither do nuts, since it's impossible for me to just eat a few.
Any good suggestions out there?

thanks

evan

Have you tried hard boiled eggs?

49er

[Thewino]

An apple a day.......

TheWino

[Sheriff Buford]

I read once that someone referred a banana as "nature's candy bar". I eat one in the morning and it satisfies my appetite until lunch.

Sheriff

[Sludge]

I'm trying to lose weight...but it's very hard for me to not have a snack now and then....in the middle of every day to be exact.

IMO, that's absolutely normal. You should be eating every 4 hours or so.

BUT--- you need to be running at least a 500 calorie deficit per day to lose a pound per week, so (also IMO) it doesn't matter what the snack is, but if your 3 main (or "conventional") meals are "normal", your snack should be only about 120-150 calories.

[Julie]

Grapes- you can eat a lot, get a sweet rush, but not really take in a load of calories or even sugar.

[M'ohms]

I buy Greek yogurt with fruit on the bottom (100 cal.) and throw in a small handful of blueberries for added texture. It's almost like eating a bowl of ice cream, and it's good for you.

[Pachyderm's Nose]

If you are doing low carb/ high fat, I suggest you make some of these.

Cream Cheese Muffins

16 ounces cream cheese softened (40 secs in microwave)
2 large eggs
1/2 cup splenda or 12 individual packets of stevia
1 tsp. vanilla

preheat oven to 350degrees
place muffin papers in muffin pan
mix all ingredients with hand mixer until smooth
fill muffin papers about 1/2 full
bake for 20 minutes
cool completely

these are good right out of the oven (cooled) and even better cold.

152.7 calories each muffin
2.5 g net carbs
4.0 g protein
0.2 g fiber
14.3 g fat

You could also add in some cocoa (1 tbl maybe?) for a chocolate fix for no added carbs.

I've been low carbing for 2 months now, lost 22 pounds and just had my physical.
decreases ldl 30 points
increased hdl 1 point
decreased triglycerides 70 points
decreased fasting glucose 22 points (no longer pre-diabetic)
and I feel better and have more energy.

[Bill44133]

Chunks of pineapple has been my snack of late.. Nice and sweet just like candy..