10 Low-Calorie Snacks That Will Get You Through the Day
Snacking doesn’t have to be unhealthy, and you don’t need to feel bad eating snacks during the day.
It’s all about ensuring the snacks you eat are good for you and don’t overly increase your calorie intake.
These are our favorite low-calorie snacks we reach for when we need a pick me up, without the unwanted grease or heavy calories.
1. Slow-Churned Ice Cream
If you know anything about us, it’s that we don’t think eating healthy means we can’t enjoy the food. That’s why we’re starting this list with a super tasty treat that’s great for this Michigan heat we’ve been having.
Enjoying half a cup of slow-churned ice cream cools you down, and it only has 100 calories. Just be sure the ice cream you buy is genuinely slow-churned or double-churned, so it doesn’t have as many fats but still has that ice cream texture you’re looking for.
If you’re looking for an extra crunch, add some oats to the top!
2. Popcorn
You can have up to 6 cups of certain types of popcorn! That’s more than enough to get you through a movie while keeping your calorie intake at 100. Of course, you must be mindful of what you add to the popcorn.
Feel free to add those tasty cheddar cheese, buffalo, or jalapeno seasoning salts, which are only 2 calories per serving, to make the popcorn more delicious. Whatever you do, avoid the butter! 1 tablespoon of butter has 102 calories, so even that tiny amount will double the calories of your snack. And let’s be honest, who adds just 1 tablespoon of butter?
So, seasoning salts are a yes, but the butter is a definite no. Always check the calorie count on the popcorn you buy to make sure you’re sticking to low-calorie snacks.
3. Baked Apple
A baked apple taste just like a guilty dessert, but without any of that guilt. You can even add some cinnamon to the top for extra flavor without any extra calories. Next time you’re looking for something sweet and savory, try baking your apple instead.
Of course, an apple that isn’t baked is also a great snack, but those can get boring! If you don’t have time to bake the apple, add some peanut butter and enjoy a tasty treat without the guilt.
4. Frozen Banana
With just 80 calories, you can enjoy a sweet and refreshing treat. Take several bananas and cut them in half, then insert popsicle sticks. Place them on a pan on parchment paper, and now you have snacks for whenever you want them.
Bananas are full of essential vitamins and taste great when you freeze them.
5. Blueberries
For another way to get fruits into your diet, eat a cup of blueberries! They only have 80 calories and can even help reduce inflammation in your body.
If blueberries alone are too boring for you, eat them with oats or yogurt, or make them into homemade fruit leathers.
6. Hummus and Carrots
For something that’s a little more filling, eat a serving of baby carrots dipped in hummus. 1 serving of baby carrots has 40 calories, and 2 tablespoons of hummus have 60 calories, leaving you with a low-calorie snack that tastes delicious.
You can buy hummus in the store or make it yourself. Just be sure to read the labels if you do buy in-store to make sure there aren’t as many additives that increase the calorie count.
7. Toasted Pumpkin Seeds
Every season is pumpkin seed season, at least for me, it is. These seeds are packed with nutrients, are easy to make, and are hard to put down. Thankfully by cooking them with salt, pepper, and olive oil only, you can have half a cup, which is only 143 calories.
If you like spice foods, consider adding some cayenne to the seeds while cooking so they have an extra kick.
8. Homemade Trail Mix
Need something to take on the go? There’s nothing better than making your own trail mix at home. This way, you know exactly what you’re adding, and you can tailor them to your tastes.
Find your favorite seeds, nuts, a small amount of dark chocolate, dried fruits, grains, and your favorite spices so you can have the perfect blend for your palette. Most trail mixers have around 140 calories per serving.
9. Roasted Chickpeas
Chickpeas are high in protein and fiber and low in calories. They also help to reduce your appetite, so you won’t feel hungry when you finish eating them.
All you need to do is mix together canned or fresh chickpeas with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Then, roast them in your oven at 450°F for 30-40 minutes. They should be nice a crispy when you take them out.
10. Peanut Butter and Jelly Slice
The classic PB&J makes a comeback. This is an easy one to make, with a bit of a modification of what you’re used to.
Take one slice of bread and toast it to your desired level. Then, add peanut butter then jelly to the same slice. Enjoy your comfort food without all the guilt.
Try These Low-Calorie Snacks Today
Now that you know our favorite low-calorie snacks, it’s time for you to try them today! Remember, food is meant to be enjoyed, so enjoy it!
If you’re looking to try these foods to lose weight but aren’t seeing the results, you’d like, consider personal training. At Peak Physique, we have years of experience helping people just like you live healthier and stronger lives, and we want to help you too!
Contact us today to see how we can help you with your personal training journey.