Low Calorie Snack Ideas

Processed foods are often consumed by those with a busy lifestyle, as they require minimum effort to prepare. However, they are often packed with sodium, unhealthy fats and calories. A healthy, low calorie snack can be prepared quickly and stored for further convenience.

Tomato And Jalapeno Salad

• A refreshing low calorie snack which can be served alone or as an accompaniment to a main meal is a tomato and jalapeno salad. This recipe serves four and contains only140 calories per serving. Chopped lettuce can be added to the dish if preferred.

4 large tomatoes
1 medium onion.
1 jalapeño pepper
Juice of two limes
1 tsp of chopped garlic

• Dice the tomatoes and onion and remove the seeds from the jalapeno pepper and chop. Stir in the garlic, then squeeze the lime juice over the ingredients. Serve, or store in the refrigerator.

Quick Low Calorie Tomato Soup

• Tomato soup is a winter warming low-calorie snack, which can also be served as a starter. This recipe serves four and contains 141 calories per serving.

2 medium onions.
4 cloves of garlic.
1 pint of stock.
Olive oil.
4 cans of chopped tomatoes.
1 tablespoon of dried basil.

• Dice and fry onions and garlic in the olive oil until golden but not brown. Add the canned tomatoes, bring to the boil and then simmer for 5 min. Add the stock and the basil, bring to the boil and then simmer for a further 5 minutes. Fresh basil can be used to garnish. Season to taste, serve or refrigerate.

Creamy Herb Dip

• This dip makes an excellent low calorie snack which can be served with vegetables. The dip contains approximately 160 calories.

1/2 cup of non-fat buttermilk.
2 crushed garlic cloves.
1 tsp of honey.
1 tsp Dijon mustard.
1 tbsp lemon juice.
2 tsp dried dill.
1/3 cup reduced fat mayonnaise.
Pinch of salt.

• Whisk all of the ingredients together in a suitably sized bowl. A variety of vegetables such as, carrots, peppers or mangetout, which have been chopped to the size of finger food, can be used with this dip. The dip can be served immediately or stored in the refrigerator.