Just like breakfast, having a combination of protein and fiber in your snacks goes a long way toward keeping your appetite in check. Here are 10 snacks to keep your metabolism humming along throughout your day:
Kathy's Top Ten Favorite Snacks:
10. ASPARAGUS WRAPS - 4 Asparagus stalks wrapped with 4 ounces turkey slices. (Optional: add mustard)
9. HUMMUS DIPPERS - 2 Hard-cooked egg whites, cauliflower, or celery dipped in 1 to 1.5 Tablespoons hummus.
8. CUCUMBER BOATS - Slice a 6-inch piece of hothouse cucumber lengthwise and scoop out the seeds. Fill the hollow boats with 1/2-cup of low-fat cottage cheese and 2 Tablespoons of chopped walnuts.
7. CELERY STICKS - Stuff celery sticks with 1 to 1.5 Tablespoons soy nut butter, almond butter, or natural crunchy peanut butter.
6. FRUIT & NUTS - A nectarine with 10 almonds is a great snack that's ready in an instant.
5. TUNA WRAPS - Season one 5-ounce pouch of Starkist tuna with fresh dill, lemon juice, scallions, or lemon pepper, dab with 1/2 Tablespoon of light mayonnaise. Wrap in lettuce leaves.
4. CANTALOUPE WEDGES - 1 wedge of cantaloupe (1/4 of a whole) with 1/2-cup low fat or fat-free cottage cheese.
3. NOT YOUR MOTHER'S ONION DIP - Heat 1 Tablespoon canola oil. Add 1 large onion (thinly sliced). Cook on low until golden brown. Remove from heat and cool. Add 1-cup low fat cottage cheese and 1/2-cup fat-free Greek-style yogurt and mix all ingredients together. Serve with sliced veggies.
2. PARMESAN CRISPS WITH SMOKED TURKEY - Take 1-cup finely shredded Parmesan cheese and shape into 8 mini-mounds. Drop mounds into skillet and cook over medium heat, gently flattening with a spatula until they're crisp. Remove and cool. Season with pepper and top with sliced smoked turkey breast.
1. SHAKE IT UP! Protein shakes are a staple of my diet. You can mix up the ingredients by trying different types of fruit, but here's my favorite version: 1-cup Silk Plain Soymilk, 1 scoop of Rainbow Light's Protein Powder, 1-cup frozen mixed berries, 1 Tablespoon flax oil, and half of a medium banana. Blend and serve!
