Have you ever felt like you would never have a weight problem if it weren’t for those pesky cravings?
Cravings always seem to rear their ugly head when you think you’re on a roll.
You’ve been doing well, sticking to your plan, when late night cravings for sugar, salt, or fat become uncontrollable.
Fortunately, with these healthy alternatives, you can satisfy your cravings without derailing your progress.
When the urge to snack hits, try one of these healthy substitutes:
POTATO CHIPS
Every ounce of potato chips contains a whopping 150 calories and 9 grams of fat. Opening an 8-ounce bag of chips is a disaster waiting to happen.
Instead, try Popcorn or Nuts
- Air popped popcorn – an ounce of kernels will yield more than 3 cups of popcorn.
- Nuts and seeds may be high in fat and calories, but the fat in nuts and seeds is healthy fat, and the fiber will help satisfy you longer than chips.
FRENCH FRIES
A small order of French fries is only 2 ounces but contains 180 calories and 9 grams of fat.
Instead, try Baked Potato or Multigrain Flatbread
- A baked potato is only 161 calories and tastes just as good.
- Spread a bit of hummus or Greek yogurt on a piece of multigrain flatbread. Either spread will only add 25 calories to the bread.
CANDY BARS
You’re not you when you’re hungry, but that candy bar is going to give you an extra 280 calories, 35 carbs, and 14 grams of fat. Ouch.
Instead, try Dark Chocolate
A bar of 70% dark chocolate will only set you back 190 calories while loading you up on antioxidants. When you take your chocolate dark, it doesn’t take much to satisfy the cravings.
ICE CREAM
Just 4 ounces of ice cream contains 270 calories and 18 grams of fat, and that’s if you go with plain vanilla. Go with a fun flavor, and you could be downing over 300 calories and 20 grams of fat.
Instead, try Sherbet, Sorbet, Frozen Yogurt, or Cinnamon Apple
- Most alternative frozen treats are low in fat or fat-free though they still have a lot of sugar, so watch your serving size.
- Core and slice two apples and sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar. Microwave for ten minutes and top with a bit of yogurt.
CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES
A serving of chocolate chip cookies is only three cookies but has 160 calories and 8 grams of fat. When was the last time you were satisfied after just three cookies?
Instead, try Fig Bars or Nutrition Bars
Much more nutritious than most cookies, fig bars will satisfy your sweet tooth with less fat and calories.
Be sure to read the labels, as some nutrition bars can be just as dangerous for you as cookies.
