I love him…but my husband’s late night love affair with chips is ruining MY waistline.
He doesn’t just stick to one kind either – he makes a sport out of trying out new ones every week. What’s even worse – he has been the same weight for years! This is all pretty terrible for me because just looking at chips adds 5 pounds to my figure.
So, I’ve decided I need to do something quick — and I think I’ve found three snack solutions that still satisfy me without expanding my waistline:
Edamame Pods
Edamame is a fancy name for soy beans. Aside from rice, it’s the only thing my daughter will eat when we go out for sushi. One day I decided to nibble on a few myself. WOW! I’ve been missing out!
First of all they’re fun to eat. They require a bit of work, kind of like pistachios – but the payoff is worth it. They fulfill my need for a little crunch and they’ve got a nutty flavor. They’re also low in fat and packed full of protein – with 9 essential amino acids that our bodies need but can’t produce. A serving also has about four grams of fiber. Score!
My recipe: I steam them for about 5 minutes or pop them in the microwave with a little bit of water for 3 minutes. I add a bit of sea salt for a little kick. Yum!
Frozen Grapes
This is an oldie but goodie. My mom used to freeze grapes for us and we’d chomp down on them instead of popsicles. I love them because they can fulfill a late night sweet tooth and they take a while to eat – which means you can’t stuff your face! Simply wash them well and then pop them in the freezer for a few hours.
Dark Chocolate
I am a coffee addict and nothing is better than a good brew and a side of dark chocolate. I opt for this combo when I’m working late – (maybe nix the caffeine if you have trouble sleeping.) Dark chocolate is indulgent and it’s pretty good for you. A small bar of it everyday can help keep your heart and cardiovascular system running well. It also contains serotonin, which acts as an anti-depressant. What’s more – the fats in chocolate do not impact your cholesterol. Remember a little goes a long way!
What snacks do you swear by?
1 comment
Zee says:
Aug 19, 2011
Del Monte ruby red grapefruit (keep them in the back of the refrigerator so they are nice and cold), mango drizzled with apple cider vinegar and a bit of cayenne, 2 big handfuls of freshly popped popcorn sprinkled with cinnamon, stevia, and cayenne, cucumber slices tossed in red wine vinegar and sea salt