15 Ways to curb your cravings with 50 calories or less

50 calories or less
Judy Keane

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It's certainly tempting to see your nearest vending machine as the ultimate go-to source when you're looking for a quick snack, but as we know most vending machines are chuck full of high-calorie junk food.

The challenge then becomes, finding convenient snacks that not only fill your desire for something good to eat, but are low in calories and nutritious to boot! With a bit of planning, it is possible to avoid calorie laden chips and candy bars, and choose healthy snacks instead. When you switch out your bad food choices for good ones, before you know it, your pilgrimages to the nearest vending machine will be a thing of the past. Not to mention, you'll feel better and have more energy. To get you started, here's a list of 15 easy and convenient snack ideas less than 50 calories each:

1. 1 1/2 cup of salted air-popped popcorn. Keep extra in your desk drawer to ward off a trip to the vending machine (46 calories)

2. One rice cake with one tablespoon of sugar-free jam. Or enjoy your favorite flavored rice cake without the jam (40 to 45 calories each)

3. 3 1/2 ounces of unsweetened applesauce sprinkled with cinnamon, a powerful antioxidant (49 calories)

4. 1 sugar-free fudge ice pop (35 calories)

5. 8 ounces of Miso Soup available in convenient cups. Just add water and heat in microwave (36 calories)

6. Six pieces of endive filled with ½ oz of reduced fat Feta cheese (49 calories)

7. 1 ounce of smoked salmon (about one slice) on two wheat crackers (48 calories)

8. 1/2 cup of carrot sticks with 1 tablespoon of low-fat ranch dressing or other favorite low-fat dressing (45 calories)

9. One cup of fresh pineapple (45 calories)

10. One small apple with two tablespoons of low-fat caramel dip (49 calories)

11. 6 ounce of low-sodium eight vegetable juice (36 calories)

12. One sesame bread stick or if you have a sweet tooth, two graham crackers or three ginger snaps (50 calories)

13. One stick of gum (any flavor!) (5 calories)

14. 10 cherries (42 calories)

15. Okay. It doesn't always have to be entirely healthy. For the ultimate sweet tooth snack attack - have one Oreo cookie! (50 calories)

Judy Keane is a freelance writer and public relations director living in Scottsdale, Arizona. She holds an MBA in International Business, is currently working on her first book, and enjoys food from lands near and far!


Comments
By Christina Jun 25, 2009

I think these are great. Of course they aren't going to "fill you up" They are snacks, snacks are not meant to be meals. These are wonderful ideas. I would like to add, a serving of tuna, is 55 calories, it could be a little more filling. A boiled egg is a great breakfast at 80 calories. I also enjoy some fiber crackers I found with 35 calories per serving. I started a low calorie diet, with exercise and it is awesome. In the first week I have lost 3 inches. Don't forget the special K waters, they help curb the hunger for 35 calories!!! (if you get tired of all that water, i began drinking the calorie free poweraid. its really good)

By Christina Jun 25, 2009

I think these are great. Of course they aren't going to "fill you up" They are snacks, snacks are not meant to be meals. These are wonderful ideas. I would like to add, a serving of tuna, is 55 calories, it could be a little more filling. A boiled egg is a great breakfast at 80 calories. I also enjoy some fiber crackers I found with 35 calories per serving. I started a low calorie diet, with exercise and it is awesome. In the first week I have lost 3 inches. Don't forget the special K waters, they help curb the hunger for 35 calories!!! (if you get tired of all that water, i began drinking the calorie free poweraid. its really good)

By Julia May 14, 2009

Like you can eat just one Oreo cookie!LOL. You can't eat too much Protein, cause drastically cutting carbohydrates from your diet may force your body to fight back.The amount of protein you require depends on your weight and your daily caloric intake. Medical research shows that consuming too much protein -- more than 30% of your total daily caloric intake -- could actually harm your body. Instead, try these snacks above, but REMEMBER: you MUST stay hydrated, or else you can confuse thirst with hunger. :)

By Kris Jan 29, 2009

The first two weeks are usually the hardest. It usually takes your body that long to adjust to new habits---sometimes longer. Treat yourself good and pamper yourself, it will help along the way. I add microwaved mixed veggies to two meals a day. (sprinkle with Molly McButter) Also, the 100 calorie snacks that they have out now are great for portion control. I also have an apple every day before lunch. But the really dark colored Red Delicious. They are so sweet and crunchy. Also, try to just slowly incorporate some sort of exercise into your day. You have to really set your mind to lose weight. Like the Nike commercial says "Just do It!" You will be so motivated once you start seeing results. Whenever you want to cheat, just picture a thinner you instead. It really helps! Also, just mark down what you eat every day and if you can, the calories also.

By nicole d Jan 24, 2009

I tottally agree with Jenn. Write down everything you eat! Trust me it adds up without you even realizing. Some snacks that cut my cravings are 1 cup of sugar free vanilla pudding with 1 tbsp of fat free sugar free cool whip (this is really good) and only 1 weight watchers point. Also sugar free popsicles are good. But I try to stick to my fruits and veggies they are more filling and have more nutrients. Also you have to work out. Hit the gym burn off more calories than you eat and you will see the pounds start coming off. And get the word FAT out of your head, starting see yourself as beautiful and start looking at it as I want to be healthy for kids and for my future rather than oh I'm fat and there are no quick fixes. It takes time, $ and ultimatley will power and motivation. Trust me If I can do it anybody can!

By Jenn Jan 20, 2009

These are not very fulfilling snacks, although they may be low in calories you will likely be hungry still, You best bet is to go fro protein!!! Protein will keep you feeling full for a longer time period as well as is great for your lean muscle mass. As far as a quick way to lose 100 pounds, hit the gym honey! get yourself a food journal (any old lined paper book will work) and start writing down EVERYTHING you eat! you can't change what you are not aware of! Chances are you are putting extra calories into your mouth without even realizing it, like taking that bit from your kids plate here and there. keep a food journal and google food caloire and print off a list (for free) of how many calories are in foods. Then start keeping track of how many claories you eat in a day. Then cut it down to 1200 and exercise I promise you will lose weight!!! Make a committement to yourself and write it on paper and tape it to your mirror. Put on it your goals including iw ill do 60 minutes of cardio 6 days per week.... something like that. Pre plan your meals the night before GOOD LUCK

By Jill Jan 19, 2009

I'm not sure where they got 50 calories for 1 Oreo cookie - even the reduced fat variety has 75 calories for one. I would say try Late July oreo-style cookies - they are all natural, and are truely 50 calories per cookie. Check calorista for low calorie food comparisons.

By concepcipon Jan 18, 2009

i weight 185 pounds and i-, only 22 years old before a have my son i was skinny i use to weight 140 but need i need help to lose 100 pounds fast becuase i dont want to be fat tell me something a works fast... thank you so much mrs concepcion e-mail bye

By Jenn Jan 17, 2009

Well, they advertise chewing gum on the Biggest Loser tv show, and they seem to be losing tons of weight, and they are all closely watched by several doctors. There is always going to be something that will cause something else. You can't worry about all that stuff or you would end up drinking only filtered water and eating organice fruits and vegetables for the rest of your life. I know that I would not be a happy person if that was my only option to lose weight.

By Hanh Jan 16, 2009

I don't think its good to eat gum as a snack, especially on an empty stomach. The sugar releases gastric acids, and when there's no food in the stomach for the acid to digest, it can cause damage to the lining leading to ulcers. Water is the best appetite suppressant!

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