Kitchen

[qualitygal]

I really have trouble keeping out of the chips. I'm thinking I need a good replacement that's healthy, that I can do for myself. So again, suggestions by the truck load are welcome!

[debic]

I just don't buy snacking foods as I have the same problem. Carrots and celery are usually in my fridge and I'll snack on them out of the fridge.

[Zhills]

Spicy Oven-Roasted Chickpeas
about 2 cups

1 15 ounce can organic chickpeas
1 tablespoon of olive oil
1 tablespoon chunky sea salt
2 teaspoons spice like garam masala

Heat the oven 400°F. Pour the chickpeas into a colander and drain and rinse very well under running water. Pat dry.

Toss the chickpeas with the olive oil and spread out on a large cookie sheet. Roast for 30-40 minutes or until brown and crispy. Turn and stir every ten minutes so they don't burn.

Take out and toss to taste with salt and spices.

(click through for amounts and more details)

• Garlic, Pepper, Rosemary
• Soy Sauce, Sesame Oil, Chili Powder
• Tomato Juice, Curry Powder
• Brown Sugar, Rosemary, Cayenne Pepper
• Cinnamon, Cumin, Chipotle Powder, Smokey Sea Salt, Smoked Paprika
• Corriander, Cumin, Chili Powder, Sweet Paprika, Cinnamon, Allspice, Ginger, Cayenne Pepper
• Lime Juice, Chili Powder, Pepper, Cilantro (which is pictured above)
• Sage, Roasted Garlic
• Agave, Basil, White Pepper, Cinnamon
• Peanut Flour, Salt
• Maple Syrup, Apple Cider Vinegar, Nutmeg, Ginger, Cinnamon
• Honey, Cinnamon
• Apricot Jam, Wasabi Paste, Horseradish
• Tamari, Rosemary, Lemon Juice, Agave
• Tarragon, Fennel, Roasted Garlic, Honey, Lemon Juice (our personal favorite - simply add a few finely diced tablespoons of each)

[sidsmom]

Hot-aired popcorn? Unfortunately w/ snacking, it's the "why" & not the "what". If you're having trouble keeping away, maybe increasing the meal calories so snacking isn't even considered. Until you tame the "snacky snack bug" & you reduce salt, your taste buds will continue to clamor for salty stuff...which puts the healthiest snacks at risk for being "bad".

[willdob3]

I've learned that, as long as I eat three good meals that are well-spaced, I don't usually need any snacks. It is good to have something healthy around to eat just in case!

I always have plenty of fresh veggies, like broccoli, cauliflower, and asparagus. Sometimes I have a good salsa, too. I make sure it has no sugars, etc. added. Pickles are good but watch the ingredients.

Raw nuts can be good but most of us tend to overeat them.

Someone posted a simple recipe a couple days ago for kale chips. i suspect it would be hard to eat too many of them!

[Deadeye Daisy]

Pig Candy

[PinkyPetunia]

Don't buy the chips and you won't be tempted to eat them. Have a few pretzels or plain saltines if you want something salty. Popcorn is good. I get the very low fat microwave popcorn and it's not bad.

The roasted chickpeas are good. Haven't made those in a while. Use any seasonings you like. If you are looking to snack often, you may need protein instead of empty calories. Eat a hard boiled egg or a piece of string cheese and see if that satisfies you.

[GCR18]

Special k has a line of crackers that are supposed to be good. I like pretzels or cheese sticks.

[Snowpuppy]

I count carbs so pork rinds are a good choice for something crunchy.

Nearly zero carbs, good protein value and there are a couple of varieties. I like BBQ..

[chickenbutt]

I would agree about NOT buying any more of that, so it won't be sitting there waiting for you to indulge.

How about just plain old fruits and veg? Winter is nice because the winter citrus (mandarins, satsumas, etc) is wonderful. One of those makes a great snack/dessert/meal.

I love nice cold celery or carrots. Bell peppers are good, too, nice and cold. So fragrant and refreshing, as well as tasting very good.

I keep cheese sticks on hand (cheese = my favorite food group). Used in moderation, unless you need to avoid dairy, cheese is a nice protein snack.

Being busy also helps not to think of eating between meals. If I get busy on a project around the house I totally forget about eating.

KIND bars are a decent snack. I actually have one for breakfast many mornings with something that is mostly protein. No, they are not THE healthiest choice, but they are WAY better a choice than sweet or salty junk food.

Also, if I'm going to eat something that is massively unhealthy I just do a portion program. I put it in something very small and that is how much I can have. Making rules is good, but FOLLOWING your rules is better. I have a thing for candy corn. Yup, I still have some from Halloween time (it's a once a year bad indulgence for me). I keep them in Lock & Lock so they stay fresh practically forever. What I do is I have this one very small ramekin (like REALLY small). I can have however many fits into that ramekin. So I eat them slowly and enjoy them without eating a ton. Of course, none would be much better but sometimes I really want something sugary but don't want to be a piggy.

Anyway, those are my ideas FWIW