Six Snacking Substitutes Towards a Healthier You

As the holiday season rapidly approaches, our calorie intake seems to increasingly rise throughout the weeks.  Sure, you should most definitely enjoy holiday yummies, in moderation of course.  Make up for your increase in “not-so-healthy” food by substituting snacks with healthier options.

Reduced fat wheat crackers are an excellent substitute for tortilla chips.  Did you know that they taste great dipped in salsa?

Calorie Count Per Serving, Calories From Fat Per Serving: Reduced Fat Wheat Crackers/130,36 , Tortilla Chips/138,59

Frozen yogurt serves as a healthier option over ice cream.  It will leave you feeling lighter, too.

Calorie Count Per Serving, Calories From Fat Per Serving: Frozen Yogurt/110,18, Ice Cream/ 120,54

One of my favorite new discoveries!  Don’t let their funky colors fool you; veggie straws are delicious!  Substitute them for cheesey puffs (of anything of the like).  They are even made with real vegetables.

Calorie Count Per Serving, Calories From Fat Per Serving: Veggie Straws/130,60, Cheesey Puffs/150,90

Ok, so a chocolate craving is unsubstitutable, but oftentimes the craving you are experiencing is for a warm drink, not chocolate.  When this is the case, trade out your hot chocolate for a cup of hot tea.  Tea comes in many flavors and when combined with Splenda remains calorie-less!

Calorie Count Per Serving, Calories From Fat Per Serving: Hot Tea/0,0, Hot Chocolate/138,27

Next time you want peanut butter as a snack, try combining it with apples rather than crackers.  It provides a fresher taste and helps add to your fruit intake per day.

Calorie Count Per Serving, Calories From Fat Per Serving: Apples/65,2, Crackers 80,36

Craving breakfasty foods?  Choose a granola bar over a milk and cereal bar.  Granola bars offer a filling snack for almost half the calories of a milk and cereal bar.

Calorie Count Per Serving Calories From Fat Per Serving: Granola Bar/90,18, Milk and Cereal Bar/160,36

Keep in mind that each of these suggestions are a generalization of the listed food.  Calories can vary, and what is written here provides an overall idea of healthy substitutes.  Questions about calories?  Check out Calorie Count.  For more nutritious ideas, view Leslie’s post, College Eating Made Easy and Simple.

Abby Bryant is an intern with College Lifestyles™.  She is a senior marketing major at Georgia College & State University® and is the president of her sorority, Sigma Alpha Omega®.  She likes to make substitutes in her diet that are both healthy and delicious.  She would love to hear your ideas, too!