Snack Craze
Giving up snacks is one of the hardest things you have to do on a diet. Opting for healthy proteins and controlling portions is easy enough, but when you’re sitting in front of the TV and craving that bag of chips, it’s hard to resist the temptation. Here’s a list of 20 snacks that are the perfect healthy replacement for your favorite treats.
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1. Instead of Cookies
A combination of crunchy and sweet trail mix is guaranteed to kick any cookie craving. Throw in some healthy nuts, dried fruits, and a sprinkling of dark chocolate chips to tick off all the major snack groups.
2. Instead of Chips
Try roasted chickpeas instead. After draining and drying some chickpeas, throw them on a baking sheet or in the air fryer for twenty to thirty minutes. Not only will they get super crisp, but you can add some cheese or BBQ seasoning to replace that classic chips flavor.
3. Instead of Popcorn
Actually, you can stick to popcorn! Air-popped corn is one of the healthiest snacks around, and as long as you take it easy on the butter and opt for whole-grain brands, you’re in for a healthy treat perfect for any movie night.
4. Instead of Chocolate Pudding
You can easily replace sugary sweet snack packs with a serving of hearty chia pudding. Add a scoop of chocolate powder to pack in that familiar flavor, or top it off with fruits and nut butter for a creamy snack.
5. Instead of Slurpees
There’s nothing like an icy cold and crisp Slurpee from your local 7/11. While replacing this tantalizing drink is no easy feat, you can mimic it with a tasty smoothie. Go heavy on the ice to get a crisp texture while packing in all your favorite fruits for an addictive flavor.
6. Instead of Crackers
Next time you’re at the mall, grab a box of puffed rice crackers rather than a helping of Ritz or Goldfish. You’ll not only get the familiar crunch you crave, but the airiness of the rice cracker means you can eat dozens more for far fewer calories.
7. Instead of Chocolate
As long as you stick to dark chocolate or no-sugar-added chocolate, you can enjoy this tasty treat in moderation. In fact, dark chocolate is known to improve blood flow. If you prefer the sweeter stuff, try to get your fix through fruit.
8. Instead of Cheetos
Try edamame instead! The shape of the pods is quite reminiscent of a Cheeto, although the green coloring will throw you off. Sprinkle it with some salt and snack on as many as you like, taking comfort in the fact that you’re giving your body plenty of healthy protein and fiber.
9. Instead of Ice Cream
Switching to Greek yogurt will be a breeze after you take a look at the variety of flavors available, from chocolate to vanilla, to inventive pairings like Earl Grey and fig. The best part is if you prefer your ice cream with some texture, you can throw in nuts, fruits, and granola into your yogurt.
10. Instead of Cereal
Oats are a delicious cereal alternative that can be nibbled on throughout the day. You can eat them warm for a creamy and fruity experience or have them with a splash of cold milk to fill the cereal-shaped void in your heart.
11. Instead of Sun Chips
Try kale chips instead! Not only are they crunchy as can be and packed with essential vitamins, but with a toss of salt and some seasoning, they can get addictive fast.
12. Instead of Dip
You can actually continue to dip your food, as long as you replace it with hummus. This creamy chickpea-based dip perfectly complements vegetables and chips, making it the ideal companion for snack time.
13. Instead of Jelly Beans
Make the simple switch to raisins, and you’ll get the texture and sweetness you love and crave, without the debilitating sugar high. Additionally, these raisin packs are easy to grab and go, making them the perfect treat for kids.
14. Instead of French Fries
French fries are the perfect companion to burgers and hot dogs, and they’re pretty darn good on their own too. A simple replacement is to use sweet potato fries instead, as they’re rich in beta-carotene and have the nutrients needed to promote weight loss.
15. Instead of Takis
To get that zesty and sour flavor you’re craving, try pickles instead. You can find them fermented in salty water, which means they pack quite the punch once you slice them up.
16. Instead of Donuts
There’s nothing like the doughy goodness of a warm donut to get you going in the afternoon. However, to skip all the heavy carbs and sugar, try energy balls instead. These balls are often made of oats, flax seeds, almond butter, and toppings like fruits and dark chocolate.
17. Instead of Nachos
The best part about nachos is dipping the tortilla into some zesty guacamole. You can keep the guacamole and veggies, but just replace the tortilla with some crisp bell pepper instead.
18. Instead of Creamsicles
A fudge pop or Haagen-Dazs bar is a beloved frozen treat that wraps up most perfect evenings. You don’t have to give up the ice cream; instead, simply replace the sugary bars with frozen fruit popsicles. There are dozens of flavors to choose from.
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19. Instead of Reese’s
The smooth, creamy, peanut buttery goodness of a Reese’s cup is hard to compete with. Simply cut out the chocolate and keep the peanut butter, using it as a topping on apple slices or celery sticks.
20. Instead of Pizza
While pizza isn’t exactly a snack, it’s a comfort food many of us turn to when we’re out of ideas in the kitchen. To get the familiar flavors without all the empty calories, try mozzarella-stuffed cherry tomatoes instead. You can munch on these little snacks all day long without any of the guilt.
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