Top Winter Snacks

As it gets colder outside, nothing seems better than curling up in front of the fire with a comforting snack. While it feels easier to snack and enjoy plenty of foods in the winter, there are many temptations when it comes to snack foods. This winter, satisfy your cravings with healthier snack options to help prevent adding unwanted pounds. Shape Magazine suggests a variety of healthy snacks for any occasion. Here are a few options depending on your mood:

Sweets

Hostess 100 Calorie Cupcakes (100 calories and 2.5 grams of fat)

½ cup of strawberries, dipped in chocolate. To make your own chocolate, melt a tablespoon of chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl (93 calories and 4 grams of fat)

½ pink grapefruit and sprinkle ½ tablespoon of brown sugar on the top, then bake for 5 minutes. You may also substitute apples for grapefruit and add a sprinkling of cinnamon for a mock apple pie taste ( 69 calories and 0 grams of fat)

Salty

½ cup steamed Edamame with a sprinkling of sea salt (95 calories and 4 grams of fat)

1 hard-boiled egg, topped with small amount of salt and pepper (80 calories and 6 grams of fat)

3 ounces turkey deli meat, topped with ½ teaspoon mustard (your choice) and wrapped in romaine lettuce ( 90 calories and 1 gram of fat)

Crunchy

Baked Apple Chips. Slice a small apple thinly, then sprinkle on sugar and cinnamon and bake for an hour or until crispy at 250 degrees ( 99 calories and 0 grams of fat)

Fresh baked tortilla chips. Cut a corn tortilla into triangles and then brush or drizzle on ½ tsp olive oil and bake at 325 for 10 minutes or until crispy. Add 2 tbsp of fresh salsa to dip ( 80 calories and 3 grams of fat)

Popcorn or 16 Popchips with the flavor of your choice ( 96 calories and 3 grams of fat)

Creamy

Homemade smoothie- In a blender, combine ¾ cup fat free milk, 1 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder, ¼ banana and ½ cup of ice ( 72 calories and 1 gram of fat)

Jell-O Mousse Temptations or Yoplait Light Yogurt ( 60 to 100 calories and 3 grams of fat)

½ medium potato, baked in the microwave. Pierce the skin with a fork, then cook for 4 to 6 minutes, turning as needed. Once finished, top with fat free sour cream and fresh salsa ( 81 calories and ½ gram of fat)

Source: Shape Magazine