Tasty Low Calorie Snacks

Today I am posting three of my favorite low calorie snacks. I personally do not like artificial sweetener of ANY kind, and always prefer a smaller version of something good over a large sized snack that is sweetened with something like aspartame. I have always been a believer in portion control, and all the 100 calorie snacks are perfect for that. I like them because they are just enough to take away hunger pangs without a big caloric commitment. I LOVE the Newtons Fruit Crisps. They are like thin pop tarts. I haven't tried any flavor other than raspberry, but I think they also come in apple and blueberry. I keep a pack in my purse so that if I get hungry while I am out, I have something on hand which hopefully prevents me from making a bad food choice, such as a candy bar.


Nutrition Facts
Serving Size: 1 package = 1 oz (28g) (2 snacks per package)
Amount per Serving
Calories 100 Calories from Fat 15
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 2g 3%
Saturated Fat 0g 0%
Monounsaturated Fat 0g
Polyunsaturated Fat 1g
Trans Fat 0g
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 90mg 4%
Potassium 20mg 1%
Total Carbohydrate 20g 7%
Dietary Fiber 0g 0%
Sugars 8g
Protein 1g 2%
Vitamin A 0%
Vitamin C 15%
Calcium 15%
Iron 4%
Est. Percent of Calories from:
Fat 18.0% Carbs 80.0%


Another tasty choice is Kellog's Fiber Plus Bars. They come in 3 flavors, all of which I have tried and really liked. Take note that there are 9 grams of fiber in each bar. That's really a lot. Be careful eating these if fiber bothers you in any way. They are 120 calories each, and pretty filling.

Nutrition Facts
Serving Size: 1 bar (36g)
Amount per Serving
Calories 120 Calories from Fat 40

% Daily Value *
Total Fat 4g 6%
Saturated Fat 2g 10%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 55mg 2%
Total Carbohydrate 26g 9%
Dietary Fiber 9g 36%
Sugars 7g
Protein 2g 4%
Vitamin A 0%
Vitamin C 0%
Calcium 10%
Iron 4%
Vitamin E 20%
Zinc 20%
Est. Percent of Calories from:
Fat 30.0% Carbs 86.7%
Protein 6.7%


Anybody besides me love the Snickers Ice Cream Bar? They are amazing, but they have 180 calories. I found these the other day. It is a snack size version of the same ice cream bar, but with only 90 calories.
Yum.

Nutrition Facts
Serving Size: 1 25g Bar
Amount per Serving
Calories 90 Calories from Fat 50
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 6g 9%
Saturated Fat 3.5g 18%
Cholesterol 5mg 2%
Sodium 30mg 1%
Total Carbohydrate 9g 3%
Dietary Fiber 0g 0%
Sugars 8g
Protein 2g 4%
Est. Percent of Calories from:
Fat 60.0% Carbs 40.0%
Protein 8.9%


I hope this was helpful to any of you who are looking for snacks like these. I will be posting more.

A Low Calorie Comfort Meal

This post is one of several I will be doing on meals and snacks that are healthy as well as delicious. A few months ago, I purchased a book called "The 4 Day Diet" by Ian Smith. The title is somewhat deceptive because you are not actually finished in 4 days. I wish it were that easy. It is a series of several diet plans that each run over a period of 4 days. It is an excellent book, and although I haven't strictly adhered to the diets, I have taken many of his suggestions and put them to use on a daily basis.



Dr Smith suggests lots of brown rice, greens, and legumes. We love all of those things, so we eat them fairly often. Last night I fixed collards, brown rice, and field peas with snaps. Oddly enough, he suggests ham hock for flavor.

I used 1 lb of a 2 lb bag of frozen peas from Publix. I covered them with water and simmered them with ham hock for about an hour and 1/2. I seasoned them with thyme, several bay leaves, and a generous amount of salt.

I used two bags of collards and simmered them for about 45 minutes with another ham hock. Again, more salt. It takes a good bit to bring out the flavor.

For the rice I used my rice cooker. (Actually Gil did it. He is a great cook and we like to tag team in the kitchen after we have both worked.) I used 1 cup of brown rice in 2 1/2 cups of water or chicken broth. The chicken broth is better. I also add a couple of teaspoons of butter. The rice takes about 45 minutes.

The result is a low cost meal that is high in fiber and nutrition and and low in calories. It is comfort food to us. Some sliced tomato will be great with it this summer.

Uncommonly Fun Dieting

Okay, so if you are like me and have spent most of your winter nights under an electric blanket watching Netflix, you are probably as ready as I am to get into better shape. That, unfortunately, takes some effort.


Exercise is very important, of course, but so is diet. Over the past few months, I have altered many of my eating habits, which has produced a slow and steady weight loss. I firmly believe that this kind of dietary alteration will provide better long term weight loss and overall health. I have never been one to stick with strict or fad diets, but I do like to glean from various diets for good suggestions. My top priority is to find foods and snacks that I actually look forward to eating. (A word of warning: I will also continue to post yummy, calorie-ridden recipes. It is still my favorite thing. Well, besides my electric blanket.)

I am going to post a series of my favorite nutritious, low calorie meals and snacks. So, maybe some of what has worked for me will work for you as well. There is no reason why food that is nutritious should not taste delicious. A pretty simple philosophy.


Cheers to renewed poolside confidence.

Roasted Pork Tenderloin Sandwiches

This recipe comes from my old roomie, Mimi. We roomed together at the University of Montevallo and have been good friends now for over 30 years. Very simpatico. There is an island named after us called Meama-Vicka Island, but that is another story. She is an amazing cook and I've gotten a lot of ideas from her. She made this pork for us one afternoon when we were at the beach together and I have made it many times since. It is easy and yummy! I don't even remember the exact seasonings she used. Just use your favorites.

Roasted Pork Tenderloin Sandwiches

1 pork tenderloin
Cavender's Greek Seasoning
Colonel Paul's Cajun Seasoning
salt and pepper to taste
Hoagie rolls
favorite sandwich condiments, such as mustard, mayo, banana pepper slices, olives, etc

Line a baking dish with foil. Season the tenderloin with your favorite seasonings. Bake at 450° for about 30 minutes. Let rest for about 10 minutes. Slice.


If you line the baking dish with foil, it cuts out a lot of mess.

Season generously with seasonings on the top and bottom.

Cooking at a high temperature browns it beautifully and really brings out the flavor.

Crusty brown on the outside and moist on the inside. Slice and enjoy!