We probably don’t need to tell you those “100 calorie packs” you buy in stores are often pumped full of crappy ingredients and so not worth it. Steal our BB nutritionist’s secret formula for a healthy snack and snag these 10 awesome ideas to nosh without regret.
At BB, we don’t like to put a huge focus on calories – we’d rather just choose whole, natural foods and not worry about measuring out each bite. When it comes to whole foods, calories = nutrients! But even still, if weight loss is your goal – it’s important to manage portion sizes. If we’re snacking all day rather than eating full meals — which is pretty typical of a new mom — it can be easy to lose track of how much you are consuming.
I mean, who is thinking about portion sizes whilst hoovering leftover pie straight out of the fridge on 3.5 hours of broken sleep?
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If you are snacking, do it mindfully. Being aware of what might be about 100-150 calories — or even pre-portioning 100-150 calories snacks for your go-getters — will help you to be mindful of how much of your daily intake is coming from snacking.
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To really become a snack master, turn those calories into filling “mini-meals.” The key to a filling snack is pairing at least two of the following: protein, fat, and fibre. You’ll up your daily nutrients, keep your blood sugar stable, and be less likely to binge at your next meal when you choose your snack wisely.
HERE ARE SOME EXCELLENT SNACK IDEAS, ALL AROUND 150 CALORIES:
- ½ small to medium avocado (sprinkle with sea salt & pepper and eat with a spoon!)
- 1 small apple or banana + 1 tbsp almond butter or natural peanut butter
- 1/4 – 1/3 cup hummus + celery
- 1 oz old cheddar + 10 olives
- 2 hard boiled eggs
- 1 muffin cup fritatta
- ¼ cup guacamole + veggie sticks
- ¼ cup feta crumbled over watermelon (add mint leaves for extra flavor!)
- 1/2 cup cottage cheese + berries + cinnamon
- 1 oz (about 50) pistachios
What’s your fave healthy snack? Comment to share your ideas.
Kristen Spencer, R.H.N., trains at the BB locations in Trinity Bellwoods and Liberty Village. She is a mommy to Nate, nutrition nerd, and lover of life in the city.