Coooool Snacks!

Let's face it, IT IS COLD out there!

Ok, maybe not where you are, but it's chilly willy where we are. AND that makes it easy to want to snack all day long! And hey, that's ok, in moderation and if the snacks are good for you, you're actually keeping that metabolism revved up by eating little snacks! BUT if you're diving into all kinds of comfort foods during this cold spell, you could wake up in the Spring 5 lbs heavier. UGH! So self-defeating! Just don't do it! THIS LIST below can you help you through those winter blues and snack and munch days like the healthy ROCKSTAR that you are! NO worries, we got you covered!

 

Healthy Snacking!

veggies with honey-mustard dipping sauce

fruit cut into chucks with a cup of vanilla yogurt;

leftover chicken or turkey cut into strips with a side of light teriyaki sauce.

English muffin pizzas with a dollop of sauce and a slice of mozzarella cheese

chilled hardboiled eggs

whole-grain cereal, fun to munch without milk, too!

sweet potato chips* recipe below

lightly-buttered popcorn sprinkled with a little Parmesan cheese and black pepper

greek yogurt

smoothies

 salsa and baked tortilla chips

whole grain toast with a dollop of peanut butter or nutella

1/2 cup lowfat frozen yogurt or light ice cream

Carrot oatmeal cookies*recipe below

Sliced turkey and cheese rolled into a small tortilla OR a piece of romaine lettuce

nuts

protein bar or shake

apples and cottage cheese

cheese sticks

Sweet Potato Chips
These are a good alternative to greasy, high-sodium chips when you want a snack while watching television.
What you need:

• nonstick vegetable spray
• 2 medium sweet potatoes
• 2 tsp. vegetable oil
• 1 tsp. sugar
• 1/2 tsp. cinnamon

What to do:

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
2. Coat cookie sheets with nonstick vegetable spray and set aside.
3. Wash and skin potatoes.
4. Cut potatoes into thin slices
5. Gently rub a little bit of oil onto the potato slices as you place them in a bowl. Toss with your hands to distribute the oil.
6. Sprinkle with sugar and cinnamon.
7. Toss again.
8. Spread the slices on the baking sheets and cook for 20 minutes.
9. Turn chips and bake another 5 minutes or until slightly crisp.
10. Cool and serve.

Carrot-Oatmeal Cookies
Packed with flavor and vitamins, these cookies are delicious with hot apple cider after an afternoon playing in the snow or running around doing errands, or a hard day at the office!
What you need:

• nonstick vegetable spray
• 1/3 cup canola oil
• 1/3 cup brown sugar
• 1/3 cup molasses
• 2 egg whites
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 tsp. baking powder
• 1/2 tsp. baking soda
• 1/4 tsp. nutmeg
• 1/3 cup nonfat dry milk
• 1/4 tsp. cinnamon
• 1 cup grated carrots
• 1 1/4 cups instant oatmeal
• 1/2 cup golden raisins (optional)
• walnuts (up to 1/2 cup; optional)

What to do:

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
2. Coat 2 cookie sheets with nonstick vegetable spray and set aside.
3. In a large bowl, beat together oil, brown sugar, molasses, and egg whites
4. In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, nutmeg, dry milk, and cinnamon.
5. Add the dry mixture to the oil mixture.
6. Add the remaining ingredients to the flour and oil mixture.
7. Mix well with a whisk.
8. Drop rounded teaspoons of the dough onto the cookie sheets,
9. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until lightly browned around the edges.
10. Remove the cookies, cool, and serve. Or freeze to serve later