Thursday, October 05, 2006

Top 10 Snacks under 200 Calories

I don't recommend a 200-calorie snack for every time your stomach starts to rumble, but I'll take any of these 200-calories-or-less favorites over a handful of potato chips or a vending-machine candy bar any day.

  1. 4 Bagel Bites

    We know: Frozen pizza is usually a diet no-no. But 4 Bagel Bites weigh in at 200 calories and just 6 grams of fat. Not to mention that they're also a good source of calcium and even up your protein and fiber counts.

  2. 8 ounces nonfat yogurt with 1/2 cup mixed berries

    No, you can't have the granola parfait. But when you add half a cup of mixed berries to your yogurt, we doubt you'll miss it. Your calorie count certainly will, though.

  3. Smoothie blended with 6 ounces skim milk, 3/4 cup diced strawberries and banana, 1 tablespoon chocolate syrup and 1 cup ice

    Smoothies don't usually make our list of easy, filling snacks, but a batch of this delicious fruit-filled icy favorite is low in calories and great for a warm-weather day.

  4. 1 medium pear with 1 ounce Brie

    Love cheese? So do we. Try spreading 1 ounce of creamy French Brie on a pear for a snack that gives you what you love and only costs you 198 calories. Just be careful -- this treat is fairly high in fat.

  5. 2 ounces smoked salmon with 1 tablespoon nonfat cream cheese on 1/2 small whole wheat bagel

    Larger than a tea sandwich, this snack is almost a mini meal in itself. It's low on calories and high on protein and whole grains, which means you're really getting the most out of those calories.

  6. 1 3/8 ounces chocolate-covered peanuts

    Not eating chocolate is what should really be considered a sin. So treat yourself a little bit every once in a while. A small portion of chocolate-covered peanuts is 200 calories but -- gasp -- has 13 grams of fat.

  7. 3/4 cup Post Bran Flakes with 1/2 cup skim milk

    Enough with the anticarb craziness. At only 140 calories, this breakfast staple works any time of day (or night).

  8. 2 Strawberry Newtons

    We can't remember the whole "cookie vs. fruit" controversy over this old Nabisco favorite, but each Newton in the two-cookie snack pack is only 100 calories. There is a fat-free version, but when the real ones set you back only 1.5 grams of fat each, there's no need to skimp on taste.

  9. 2 slices diet whole wheat bread with 1 cup sliced raw or cooked veggies of choice and 1 ounce sliced nonfat cheese

    This easy-to-make snack has almost all the food groups covered. For less than 200 calories, you've got your grains, dairy and vegetables. Keep in mind that during cooking, veggies often lose some of those good-for-you nutrients.

  10. 1 Nature Valley Chewy Trail Mix Bar

    For snacking on the run, there's nothing easier than grabbing a fruit bar. Nature Valley claims its Chewy Trail Mix Bars will boost your energy levels in addition to being low-cal.

Lindsey Unterberger