elements

The hurried modern lifestyle often leaves us with hunger pangs and only vending machines and overpriced chains to turn to. Fortunately, there are alternatives which can provide scrumptious satisfaction without leading you towards the plus sizes. Making smart snacking choices in your daily life will allow room for that double decker cone from 31 flavors or the cheese enchiladas at the local taqueria.

Instead of a Starbucks Frappucino, try Chai Tea
Chai Tea is a fragrent blend of Indian herbs and spicies infused into a black tea and milk blend. Its sweet and satisfying without the guilt. You can buy pre-made blends of soymilk and chai tea or chai mixes to make yourself.

Instead of Ruffle’s Potato Chips, try Spicy Popcorn
Potato chips are deep fat fried - enemy number one of a girl’s waistline. Air-popped popcorn will provide fantastic crunch and flavor without leaving you with greasy fingers.
Want to give it a try?

How-to:
Air-pop a desired amount of popcorn. (This means you use a popper and popcorn kernels, not the instant microwave kind.) Spray lightly with canola or olive oil cooking spray. Shake Lawry’s Seasoned Salt over the popcorn and toss to coat. If you’d like a hotter taste, add 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper to the toss.

Instead of Strawberry Shortcake, try Strawberries with Cloud 9 Dip
Sorry, those prepackaged shortcakes and strawberry toppings you see next to the strawberries don’t count as a fruit serving - they’re loaded with unnecessary sugar and fat. There are better choices for the enjoyment of succulent summer strawberries. One idea is a yummy cream cheese and marshmallow dip that won’t break your calorie bank.

How-to:
Wash fresh strawberries thoroughly with cold water. Slice in half or quarters, depending on size. Soften 2- 3 ounce squares of fat free cream cheese by leaving out for 30 minutes. Using a hand mixer, beat cream cheese until smooth. Then add 1 jar of Marshmallow Fluff and beat until combined. Serve in a dipping bowl with strawberries.

More better choices
Snacking throughout the day curbs your appetite and boosts metabolism. Better choices are abundant and these suggestions will help get you started on the road to nutritious noshing.

Instead of queso, try salsa
Instead of soda, sparkling water with lemon
Instead of french onion dip, try hummus
Instead of an ice-cream smoothie, try a sorbet smoothie
Instead of a candy bar, try a serving of Fig Newtons
Instead of Doritos, try cheese-flavored rice cakes

Healthy, fast and fresh
Want super-easy on-the-go snacks to get you through the day? Try these quick picks.
Fresh seedless grapes paired with a single serving of low-fat cheese
A crisp Granny Smith apple paried with salty pretzels and 1 T. of crunchy peanut butter for dipping
1/2 cup Cheerios mixed with 1/4 cup each - pretzel sticks, peanuts, raisins

- Jennifer Sjolin, Executive Editor