By Carol Sloan, R.D.
Nutritionist
I glance at the clock and it is 2:30 pm and I am starving! Should I grab the first item I see … or should I take the time to think this through?
Often we only need 100 calories to take the edge off hunger and get through to the next meal. Yet many times we grab a candy bar, bag of chips or soda, which usually have more than 100 calories and no nutritional value.
There is also lots of talk about those fantastic 100-calorie packs.
According to an article in the Boston Globe, “92 different 100-calorie products were on the market as of July 2007. While the trend reaches soda, pudding, and popcorn, conventional snacks, such as cookies and crackers, are where it’s really taking hold.”
Wow! Great selection of food choices. I was talking with a fellow dietitian and she thinks these items should be packaged as 100 calories of junk food!
Here are some better choices:
* 1 apple (tennis ball size)
* 1 orange (tennis ball size)
* A small handful of nuts
* 1 banana (5 inches)
* 8-ounce glass of nonfat milk
* 2 cups fresh strawberries
* 1 string cheese
* 1 hard-boiled egg
* 1 container of fat free yogurt
* As much carrots and celery
as you want with 1/4 cup
low fat ranch dressing
* 2 cups air popped popcorn
Plan ahead and always have something on hand in case this urge for an afternoon pick-me-up hits you.
Here’s a recipe for a savory tomato pick-me-up.
Balsamic Vinegar Tomatoes
Ingredients:
3 Large Ripe Tomatoes
1 tablespoon Balsamic Vinegar,
use enough to slightly cover tomatoes
1/2 tablespoon Olive Oil
1 teaspoon Garlic Salt
Balsamic Vinegar Tomatoes
Preparation:
Slice tomatoes.
Place tomatoes on a plate and cover with balsamic vinegar & oil.
Sprinkle garlic salt over tomatoes.
Enjoy!
Nutrient Information:
Calories 39
