# Recommend a healthy snack. **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [May 10, 2005, 2:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-healthy-snack/303165 "2005-05-10T02:38:20Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Zabali\_Clawbane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/ecd19e/32.png) [@Zabali\_Clawbane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zabali_Clawbane)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2005, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-healthy-snack/303165/21 "2005-05-10T15:28:51Z")
How abut a small wedge of cheese? Pretzels are actually low fat. [Toasted sesame snacks](http://www.bulkfoods.com/snacks.asp#Sesame%20Sticks)? Graham crackers wouldn’t be bad, or a cup of (low fat?) pudding or jello? ---
**Author:** ![Susie\_Derkins](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e47774/32.png) [@Susie\_Derkins](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Susie_Derkins)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2005, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-healthy-snack/303165/22 "2005-05-10T16:54:03Z")
I love whole wheat tortillas. I am blanking out on the brand name, but the kind I buy are big and have only 90 calories, 4 grams of fat, and around 5 grams of fiber. You can make a lot of different things with them, too. I spray them with a touch of Pam and sprinkle on garlic salt or parmesan and bake until crunchy when I want something salty. If I want sweet, I sprinkle a teaspoon of sugar and some cinnamon on one before baking. You can leave them whole or cut them into strips. You can bake them plain and dip them in salsa. They’re really very versatile. ---
**Author:** ![Anastasaeon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/73ab20/32.png) [@Anastasaeon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anastasaeon)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2005, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-healthy-snack/303165/23 "2005-05-10T17:07:19Z")
> [@Scumpup](#): > > Sardines. The ones in mustard are good. The ones in oil with jalapeño slices are quite tasty. My favorites are the ones in hot sauce. A few sardines on a couple whole wheat crackers is a very satisfying snack. [hijack] Do you buy any sardines that were packed in Black’s Harbour, NB? Brunswick, General, Port Side, Port Clyde, King Oscar, Millionaires, No Frills… a ton more that I don’t remember at the moment - or any with a numerical code stamped in raised characters on top of the can that have the letter X in it? ie: **X** \*\*? If yes to any of those, I probably piled those cans, and have a high probability of having handled them myself… I could tell you what I know that happens to those things, but then you may never eat sardines again…) Having a Kevin Bacon moment, degrees of seperation and all that. [/hijack] Also, I don’t know if I’d recommend raisins to just pop in my the handful, they’re pretty high in natural sugar. A box or two isn’t terrible though, just be careful about going to town on those things. My Sun Maid tub of raisins here (I keep tubs of the things, I love ‘em) says they’re 130 calories, 29g of sugar for a 1/4 cup. Just sayin’. (I eat a lot of raisins when I snack on them, so it’s a bit of a problem for me, just thought I’d mention it in case). ---
**Author:** ![EarthStone777](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7ab992/32.png) [@EarthStone777](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EarthStone777)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2005, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-healthy-snack/303165/24 "2005-05-10T23:21:06Z")
I had the same problem with wanting to ‘put something in my mouth while reading’ and found a solution that worked for me… I drank water with my meals, nothing with flavor to distract from the taste of the food. It helped me to enjoy the food more. Then when reading, and I wanted to taste something, I drank things with flavor (diet soda, fruit juice mixed with water, homemade ice tea or lemonaid). It gave my taste buds something without adding calories and satisfied my cravings. ---
**Author:** ![scr4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/59ef9b/32.png) [@scr4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scr4)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2005, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-healthy-snack/303165/25 "2005-05-10T23:33:59Z")
This isn’t always practical, but an effective “zero-calorie snack” is to eat half of your lunch during lunchtime (after making or buying the usual amount) and leave the rest for a snack. ---
**Author:** ![Lobsang](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobsang/32/4067_2.png) [@Lobsang](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobsang)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2005, 11:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-healthy-snack/303165/26 "2005-05-10T23:54:13Z")
The one good thing the atkins diet seems to have done for me, is to have got me out of the habit of snacking. On food _and_ drink. Each day I have my dinner and one or two cups of coffee, and three or four cups of water. This is not a regime, it’s just the way it’s turned out. ---
**Author:** ![Cherry2000](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/59ef9b/32.png) [@Cherry2000](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cherry2000)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2005, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-healthy-snack/303165/27 "2005-05-11T15:16:15Z")
I love mozzerella cheese sticks for a snack. Lots of good protein and you can make them last by peeling of thin strips of cheese (makes it seem like you are eating more than you really are). Oh yeah…and only 80 calories or so apiece. ---
**Author:** ![DeadlyAccurate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ac91a4/32.png) [@DeadlyAccurate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DeadlyAccurate)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2005, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-healthy-snack/303165/28 "2005-05-11T16:10:24Z")
I eat mozz cheese sticks every day, because it’s one of my two favorites foods (that was my breakfast this morning), but they are pretty high in fat. A lot of the stuff people are naming are low in fat but high in sugar, so you have to watch out that you don’t eat too much. (Grapes are basically little balls of sugar). If you like celery sticks at all, try them with peanut butter or cream cheese. Grape or cherry tomatoes are a great snack. Fresh vegetables dipped in Ranch dressing. ---
**Author:** ![bouv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bc8723/32.png) [@bouv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bouv)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2005, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-healthy-snack/303165/29 "2005-05-11T16:33:18Z")
I’ll second the beef jerky. It’s actually pretty low in fat (for being made from cow,) and has prtein and iron, which are always good. ---
**Author:** ![Odinoneeye](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/97f17d/32.png) [@Odinoneeye](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Odinoneeye)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2005, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-healthy-snack/303165/30 "2005-05-11T16:39:49Z")
Personally, I can’t stand beef jerky, but to each their own. I like making a veggie tray. I slice cucumbers, carrots, green peppers, celery (I like raw celery so maybe my opinion isn’t for you) and use a low fat creamy italian or creamy garlic dressing to dip it in. I enjoy it more to eat veggies that way instead of in a salad. I don’t mind lettuce, it’s just not the best part. ---
**Author:** ![Trunk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/87869e/32.png) [@Trunk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trunk)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2005, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-healthy-snack/303165/31 "2005-05-11T16:57:07Z")
The problem isn’t your snack choices. It’s your attitude. There is no good “things to put in my mouth while reading” snack. There is no good “things to put in my mouth while watching TV” snack. There is no good “things to put in my mouth before bed” snack. You need to get over the mindset that you have to snack. Not trying to read too much into that one statement, but it sounds like you’re using a snack like a cigarette. . .something to pass the time. . .something to keep your hands busy. . .something to keep your mouth busy. If I’m right. . .bad attitude. If I’m wrong, that still applies to someone else. ---
**Author:** ![Susie\_Derkins](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e47774/32.png) [@Susie\_Derkins](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Susie_Derkins)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2005, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-healthy-snack/303165/32 "2005-05-11T17:06:26Z")
> [@Odinoneeye](#): > > I like making a veggie tray. I slice cucumbers, carrots, green peppers, celery (I like raw celery so maybe my opinion isn’t for you) and use a low fat creamy italian or creamy garlic dressing to dip it in. I have a recipe for a great low-fat dressing that I like to make. It is like a tzatziki sauce, very fresh tasting. 1 large onion 2/3 cup low-fat plain yogurt 8 oz package fat-free cream cheese (softened works best) 1/4 tsp salt black pepper to taste 2 tsp fresh dill (or 1 tsp dried) 2 cucumbers, peeled and cut into small cubes Chop onion in a food processor or blender. Add yogurt, cream cheese, salt, pepper and dill; whir until well combined. Fold in cucumber; chill until ready to serve. Yields about six servings (3 heaping tablespoons each). Goes great with those whole wheat tortillas (no, I am not a tortilla salesperson) or the aforementioned crudites. ---
**Author:** ![empty\_filing\_cabinet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7bcc69/32.png) [@empty\_filing\_cabinet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/empty_filing_cabinet)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2005, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-healthy-snack/303165/33 "2005-05-12T00:54:29Z")
Sweet Potato Chips ---
**Author:** ![Cyros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a698b9/32.png) [@Cyros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cyros)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2005, 1:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-healthy-snack/303165/34 "2005-05-12T01:35:39Z")
> [@Silver Fire](#): > > Especially limit the quantities of peanut butter because, while it does contain the same good fats that peanuts have, there are also a lot of additives (sugar, salt, etc.) and partially hydrogenated (trans) fat. I’d go so far as to recommend natural peanut butter, but that’s nasty. Peanut butter is not a significant source of trans-fat: [Link](http://www.peanutbutterlovers.com/nutrition/transfats.html). Here’s an excerpt: > [@](#): > > Regular peanut butter does contain a tiny, tiny amount (far less than 1%) of partially hydrogenated oil. It keeps the oil from separating out of the peanut butter and rising to the top of the jar, makes the peanut butter creamier, and dramatically increases the shelf life of the peanut butter. > > The resulting amount of trans fat in regular peanut butter is so small that, under the proposed FDA labeling guidelines for trans fats, the peanut butter labels will list 0 trans fats. The proposed FDA rule indicates that trans fat amounts of less than .5g cannot be accurately measured and will be listed on the label as 0. . ---
**Author:** ![Plan\_B](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Plan\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Plan_B)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2005, 1:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-healthy-snack/303165/35 "2005-05-12T01:37:18Z")
I keep almonds, macademia nuts, apples and canned salmon in the closet in my office. I’m never hungry, never eat junk. ---
**Author:** ![tremorviolet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e47774/32.png) [@tremorviolet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tremorviolet)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2005, 2:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-healthy-snack/303165/36 "2005-05-12T02:40:35Z")
> [@Trunk](#): > > There is no good “things to put in my mouth while reading” snack. > > There is no good “things to put in my mouth while watching TV” snack. > > There is no good “things to put in my mouth before bed” snack. Yeah, mindless snacking would be a good habit to lose. But, if you’re just a little hungry and need something healthy to tide you over, I’d recommend edamame (boiled soy beans). Decently low in calories, they’re high in fiber and pretty filling. ---
**Author:** ![Marlitharn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/779978/32.png) [@Marlitharn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marlitharn)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2005, 2:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-healthy-snack/303165/37 "2005-05-12T02:54:34Z")
I like Frosted Mini-Wheats when I want something sweet. There’s apparently [189 calories per one-cup serving](http://www.nutritiondata.com/facts-001-02s01c0.html); I don’t know if that’s considered a lot of calories or not, but there’s oodles of fiber and iron in there, too. ---
**Author:** ![Zulema](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/db5fbb/32.png) [@Zulema](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zulema)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2005, 3:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-healthy-snack/303165/38 "2005-05-12T03:29:22Z")
Along the same lines as shredded wheat except salty instead of sweet; Triscuits. One serving (six crackers) is pretty filling and you can keep them in your desk at work or in the car. ---
**Author:** ![Silver\_Fire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e4f/32.png) [@Silver\_Fire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Silver_Fire)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2005, 3:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-healthy-snack/303165/39 "2005-05-12T03:37:25Z")
> [@Cyros](#): > > Peanut butter is not a significant source of trans-fat. Well, that’s good news. 🙂 Thanks for the info. ---
**Author:** ![congodwarf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e36b37/32.png) [@congodwarf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/congodwarf)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2005, 6:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-healthy-snack/303165/40 "2005-05-12T06:33:35Z")
Ugli fruit. Also goes by Uniq. It’s about the size of a large grapefruit, very juicy, not too sour, not too sweet, seedless, amazingly easy to peel. The bad stuff - the season is kinda short. Dec-April or something like that. It’s also kinda expensive for a fruit but the taste is totally worth it. If you’re gonna try it, look for one that is heavy for it’s size. The smaller it is, the sweeter it is. The skin stuff that covers the wedges is tough like you’d find on a grapefruit. I usually bite a hole in the skin and suck out all the innards. Keep a towel handy though. And all of you can get those dirty thoughts out of your heads. To peel it, put a small slice in the rind/skin thing. Put your thumbs in the slit and pull. The whole thing comes right off in one pull. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-healthy-snack/303165.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-healthy-snack/303165.md?page=3)