100 Calorie Snacks

The Key Is To Have The Ingredients On Hand

A Quarter Pounder with Cheese has 520 Calories. This is not a snack.

Spoiler Alert! This is not a diet plan. It is, instead, a snack menu. Each one of the suggested snacks provides approximately 100 calories or less. There are, of course, scores of 100-calorie snacks, but when you are really hungry and want something in a hurry, it isn’t easy to think straight. The solution is to have a supply of ingredients on hand, ready to take the edge off that hunger. The ideas we present here are pretty darn simple and diverse enough that you won’t get bored. Experiment with several of these or some of your own ideas, and you may just find yourself remaining more alert and happier throughout the day. Heck, you may even lose some weight.

The experts over at WebMD tell us that, on average, women need about 1,600 to 2,400 calories each day, and men need 2,000 to 3,000 calories a day — based on age and activity level. If you figure out that you need 2,000 calories per day, then you need to keep your calorie intake about equal to that number. They have a very handy chart on their website that might help you to find your personal intake level. Check it out here.

The ingredients and quantities indicated deliver a 100-calorie, hunger-punching oasis of enjoyment between meals and are easily prepared.

1/2 Cup Slow-Churned Ice Cream

Surprise! Ice cream tops our list of low-calorie snacks. The key is to look for slow-churned or double-churned varieties. This refers to a process that reduces fat and calories while retaining the creamy texture of full-fat varieties, so 1/2 cup has just 100 calories. 

• Saturated Fat: 2 g
• Sodium: 45 mg
• Cholesterol: 20 mg
• Carbs: 15 g

6 Cups Microwave Popcorn

When you want a large snack with a small calorie count, popcorn delivers. Some microwave brands have just 100 calories in 6 cups. “You have to chew it, so it’s satisfying,” says Joan Salge Blake, RD, a spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. It’s also high in fiber, which can help you stay full longer.

• Saturated Fat: 0.5 
• Sodium: 220 mg
• Cholesterol: 0 mg
• Carbs: 24 g
• Fiber: 6g

Cottage Cheese and Cantaloupe

Cottage cheese is a protein powerhouse, with 1/2 cup delivering 14 g. Like fiber, protein can help you stay full longer. Enjoy low-fat cottage cheese plain or with a side of fruit. A small wedge of cantaloupe brings the total calories to 100.

• Saturated Fat: 0.7 g
• Sodium: 468 mg
• Cholesterol: 5 mg

Three Crackers With Cheese

Choosing whole-grain crackers is the key to this classic snack. The fiber will keep you feeling full between meals, and the cheese provides protein and calcium. To stay under 100 calories, cut up one slice of low-fat cheese and split it over three crackers.

• Saturated Fat: 1.2 g
• Sodium: 397 mg
• Cholesterol: 7 mg

Cheese-Stuffed Pita Pocket

Here’s one that’s easy to make and gives you the satisfaction of biting into a sandwich. Grab a whole-grain pita pocket and stuff it with 1/2 ounce part-skim ricotta cheese. The fiber and protein will help fill you up, and the whole snack has less than a gram of saturated fat.

• Saturated Fat: 0.8 g
• Sodium: 149 mg
• Cholesterol: 4 mg

Eight Baby Carrots with Hummus

When craving a satisfying crunch, dip eight large baby carrots into 2 tablespoons of hummus. Carrots are an excellent vitamin A and beta carotene source, while hummus adds protein. Pre-packaged baby carrots are convenient, and there are many varieties of hummus available.

• Saturated fat: 0.4 g
• Sodium: 210 mg
• Cholesterol: 0 mg
• 90 Calories

Apple Slices With Peanut Butter

Mixing sweet with salty is a tried-and-true way to satisfy the munchies. Measure 3/4 cup of apple slices and spread a thin layer of unsalted peanut butter on each slice. To stay near the 90-calorie mark, use no more than 2 teaspoons of peanut butter in total.

• Saturated fat: 0.8 g
• Sodium: 2 mg
• Cholesterol: 0 mg

Nonfat Greek Yogurt with Honey

Greek yogurt is known for its extra-creamy texture and high protein content. Just 1/2 cup of nonfat plain Greek yogurt has 12 g of protein to help you stay full. Drizzle on a teaspoon of honey, and the whole snack totals 84 calories.  The best part is that you may feel like you’re eating dessert.

• Saturated fat: 0 g
• Sodium: 53.5 mg
• Cholesterol: 0 mg

Half a Baked Potato with Salsa

Microwave a baked potato for an easy snack that’s loaded with vitamin C, not with calories. Half of a medium-sized baked potato has 80 calories – keep the skin, which is packed with nutrients. Spread a heaping tablespoon of salsa on top to spice it up and you will still keep it under 100 calories.

• Saturated Fat: 0 g
• Sodium: 124 mg
• Cholesterol: 0 mg

Frozen Banana Pop

If you’re looking for a creative way to add more fruit to your diet, try frozen banana pops. Slice several peeled bananas in half and insert popsicle sticks. Coat each half with an ounce of low-fat plain yogurt. Put the pops in the freezer, and soon you’ll have ready-to-eat low-calorie treats. At just under 80 calories a pop, this is a snack you can feel good about.

• Saturated fat: 0.35 g
• Sodium: 3 mg
• Cholesterol: 7 mg

1 Cup Tomato Soup

Tomato soup is full of disease-fighting nutrients but contains as little as 74 calories per cup, no cholesterol, and less than 1 gram of saturated fat. Just keep in mind that there are many varieties. Cream of tomato is significantly higher in fat and calories. When buying canned soup, look for labels that say “low sodium” and check the calorie count.

• Saturated Fat: 0.19 g
• Sodium: 471 mg
• Cholesterol: 0 mg

1 Cup Grapes

Grapes are loaded with water, which means that a just under a cup full is 100 calories. The water content helps provide a feeling of fullness and keeps you hydrated. Grapes are also a terrific source of vitamin K and manganese, and contain some fiber to boot. They’re great eaten fresh or frozen.

• Saturated Fat: 0.1 g
• Sodium: 2 mg
• Cholesterol: 0 mg

Smoked Salmon Pinwheel

For a savory snack under 60 calories, spread 1 tablespoon of low-fat cream cheese onto a slice of smoked salmon (lox) and roll it up. This salmon pinwheel is high in protein and heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids, though the salt used to cure the salmon boosts the sodium content. Use a little less cream cheese and you can have two pinwheels for under 100 calories.

• Saturated Fat: 1.6 g
• Sodium: 495 mg
• Cholesterol: 13 mg

Here are a few more ideas:

Cucumber Slices with Cream Cheese: Spread a tablespoon of low-fat cream cheese on cucumber slices. 1/4” slice of cake is 1 c  2 TBS low fat cream cheese = 80c

Dark Chocolate: Savor a small piece (about 3 squares) of dark chocolate (70% cocoa or higher).

Rice Cake with cream cheese: Top a plain rice cake with a  some cream cheeseand a sprinkle of salt and pepper. 1 rice cake = 35c

Cherry Tomatoes with Mozzarella: Enjoy a handful of cherry tomatoes with one mini mozzarella ball.

Celery Sticks with Peanut Butter: Spread a teaspoon of peanut butter on a few celery sticks. 1 Cup of celery is 15 c

These snacks are low in calories and provide essential nutrients, making them great options for maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Try it, you might like it.

Welcome to 3-Minutes A Day University, where you can learn a little about a lot of things every day in three minutes or less. We help you expand your knowledge and understanding of the real world, and 3-MAD University is tuition-free. Our wide-ranging syllabus includes a fascinating insight into topics including Health and Medicine, Science, Sports, Geography, History, Culinary Arts, Finance and the Economy, Music and Entertainment, and dozens more. You will impress yourself, your friends, and your family with how easy it is to learn facts and perspectives about the world around you. One topic you will never find covered is politics. We hope you enjoyed the previous three minutes. If you liked this post, please pass it along to a friend.

                          Was this email forwarded to you?   Subscribe Here.

      © Copyright 2024.  3-Minutes A Day University    All Rights Reserved.  Unsubscribe