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Top 20 snacks that contain less than 200 calories
If you're feeling peckish but don't want to pack on the pounds, here are 20 healthy options that will keep the calorie-count to a minimum!
If you want to stay full and keep fit at the same time, you need to stock up on the following foods pronto!
Instant oatmeal
Cinnamon-flavoured instant oatmeal makes a fulfilling desk snack, but be careful as many options may be loaded with sugar.
You can add to the nutrient quotient by adding a handful of nuts and seeds of your choice.
Instant oatmeal will provide about 120-140 calories plus fibre and protein; check your label for details.
Soy crisps
Soy-based snacks are rich in protein and are more healthy than regular crackers or biscuits, as just a single serving will provide upto five grams of protein.
Calories: About 120-200 depending on how many servings you eat.
Hard-boiled egg and banana
One hard-boiled egg and a medium banana can keep you going energetically for two to three hours, as they provide a healthy 180 calories and seven grams of protein.
Egg white sandwich
An egg white sandwich will provide you with 180 calories and 14 grams of protein (if made with two medium eggs).
Almond butter on multigrain bread
A single slice of multigrain bread with two tablespoons of almond butter provides you with 200 healthy calories, plus six grams of protein.
Multigrain bread with fruit spread
A single multigrain bread slice with a tablespoon of fresh fruit spread, which is rich in fibre, provides a long-lasting 140 calories plus fibre.
Healthy fruit sorbet
Easy to make at home, fruit sorbets are a healthier alternative to ice cream, plus lighter on calories.
Note that fruit sorbets are high in sugar, so you may need to balance your calories through the day, as just half a cup would be worth about 100 calories of energy.
Fresh fruits
Fruits (bananas, apples, and oranges ) are anytime snacks as they are easy to carry and are loaded with antioxidants, vitamins, minerals and fibre and can give you an immediate energy boost.
Calories: About 80-120, depending upon the fruit.
Dried figs
Dried figs are a naturally sweet snack that is high in calcium, potassium, protein and fibre. Four medium-sized dried figs will provide you with 90 calories and four grams of fibre.
Banana with peanut butter
Do you like peanut butter and/or bananas? Together they make a crunchy and satisfying snack.
A medium-sized banana and one tablespoon of nutty peanut butter provides 190 calories of energy, five grams of protein and four grams of fibre.
Baked sweet potato
Rich in Vitamin A and C, sweet potatoes are known as a super food and a medium-baked sweet potato is a perfect, filling snack. You may want to add low-fat cheese to make it tastier.
One medium sweet potato and two tablespoons of low-fat cheese would provide about 200 calories, five grams of protein and seven grams of fibre.
Beans and tortilla
Spread cooked beans on a corn tortilla and top with an ounce of shredded cheese. Bake it till the cheese melts.
A single tostada will provide about 150 calories and eight grams of protein.
Black bean soup
A bowl of hot soup is a filling snack and black beans with some veggies like tomato, broccoli and sweet peppers make a snack rich in vitamins, minerals and fibre and taste.
A bowl of black bean soup would provide about 140 calories and six grams of protein.
Canned tuna
A 3 oz can of tuna with a few black olives and lemon juice provides about 100 calories of energy, packed with 18 grams of protein and healthy omega 3 fatty acids.
Ensure you are using tuna packed in water and not oil.
Cashews
Eighteen dry-roasted cashews provide 180 calories, plus five grams of protein, magnesium and iron.
Chips and salsa
Snack on baked tortilla chips dipped in savoury salsa or a low-fat cheese dip.
About 20 baked tortilla chips and half a cup of salsa will provide 200 calories.
Chocolate yoghurt
Fat-free chocolate yogurt tastes even better than chocolate ice cream, but be careful as it is still high in sugar content.
About a small cup or 6-8 oz will give you about 200 calories of energy, plus seven to eight grams of protein.
Cheese with fresh fruit
Low-fat cheese is rich in protein. Combined with the fibre-rich natural goodness of strawberries or pineapple, it makes a tasty and energetic snack.
Half a cup of low-fat cheese and a cup of cubed pineapple provides 120 calories plus a whopping 14 grams of protein.
Hummus with fresh veggies
Hummus is made from protein-rich chickpeas and can be a great dip along with sweet or red bell peppers.
You may replace bell peppers with asparagus, carrots, snap peas, zucchini, mushrooms or any vegetable as they offer healthy carbohydrates, a good amount of fibre and many vitamins and minerals.
Calories: About 100�, depending upon the amount of hummus you eat.
Lean turkey sandwich
A lean turkey wholegrain bread sandwich gives you energy-boosting carbohydrates, plus protein. You may replace lean turkey with lean chicken meat.
Calories: About 140-200, depending upon the amount and type of meat.