7 Delicious Low-Calorie Snacks

A good weight loss program shouldn’t make you feel hungry or deprived. Crash diets or very low calorie diets only pull down your metabolism and make your body think that it’s starving, kicking it into ‘store all the fats’ mode.

In fact, people who have successfully lost the weight, and kept it off, usually eat more regularly: six smaller meals a day. Here are some suggestions for delicious snacks that are less than 500 calories—one of the many weight loss tips you’ll find here at o5.com.

Weight loss tip # 1: Healthy cheese popcorn

Buttery popcorn has way too much fat for anyone on a weight loss program. But here’s a light and equally flavorful alternative—and it’s so easy to prepare! Just microwave a light butter popcorn that has about 100 calories a serving (check the lavel) and then grate about two tablespoons of grated popcorn on top.

Weight loss tip # 2: Beer and nuts

There’s nothing like a cold mug of beer at the end of a stressful day. Keep the calories low by sticking to one 12 ounce bottle of light beer, and pair with a healthy mix of 2 tablespoons of nuts and two tablespoons of raisins. If you prefer a more savory combo, trade the nuts and raisins for 16 small pretzels. Not hungry? Skip all the food and you can have a second glass of light beer.

Weight loss tip # 3: Ice cream cone

On a hot day, relax with a single soft-serve ice cream. It’s only about 250 calories, if you pick a plain cone (skip the Belgian waffles) but you can add a small sprinkling of sprinkles or a drizzle of chocolate—and it’s only about 380 calories, total!

Weight loss tip # 4: Mediterranean Dip

If you’re craving for potato chips and dip, reach for this low-calorie version and get the same texture and flavor. Spoon half a cup of hummus into a bowl (you can make this yourself, or buy from a store). Eat with your favorite vegetables: carrots, cucumbers, celery, red pepper (about two cups’ worth) and six whole-wheat crackers.

Weight loss tip # 5: Nutty delight

Feeling tired and too stressed to think? Get an energy boost from peanut butter. Get 1 to 2 tablespoons, and serve on five wholewheat crackers or apple slices. Add a cup of no-fat milk and you’ve got a hearty, healthy and filling snack that’s less than 400 calories.

Weight loss tip # 6: Wine and cheese

This is a great snack to enjoy after the end of a long day. Pour yourself a 5 ounce glass of wine, and nibble on a slice of cheddar or brie and wheat crackers. Or, you can skip the crackers and have a handful of grapes.

Weight loss tip # 7: Fruit and yoghurt

Indulge your sweet tooth with this healthy version of a sundae. Empty one 5.3 ounce container of Greek yoghurt. Add a cup of blueberries and half a cup of granola. Fully satisfy your sugar fix with an extra drizzle of two tablespoons of honey.

Snacking regularly helps you stay on your weight loss program because you never reach the point that you’re so ravenous that you’ll start overeating. You may also want to read more weight loss tips in our article how to control food cravings and how to prevent yo-yo dieting.

Photo from cloudninemarketing.com