Switching to snacks lower in fat is challenging, especially if first choices for snacks are unhealthy potato chips, buttered popcorn, chocolate bars, donuts and deep fried snacks. Low-fat snacks don't have to be bland. Here are some yummy low-fat snack alternatives to try.
Low-Fat Dips
Try blending cottage cheese and adding garlic, lemon juice or onion soup mix to flavor it. Use the cottage cheese mixture in place of sour cream. Also use it to dip vegetables, pita bread or as a sandwich spread instead of mayonnaise. Once blended, the texture is creamy and it’s low fat and filling. Use low-fat yogurt in dips and spreads instead of cream. If nothing but mayonnaise will work, try a fat free version.
Low-Fat Sauces
Use salsa as a topping for baked potatoes instead of sour cream. Potatoes are actually low in fat. When they’re deep fried or topped with butter or sour cream, they become unhealthy. Tomato salsa tastes good with meat like chicken and beef. It’s also a great tasting dip and/or spread for pitas, tortillas bagels and bread.
Choose tomato based sauces or replace cream with skim milk and thicken with flour or cornstarch.
Low-Fat Dressings
Use fat-free or low-fat dressings for salads. For homemade cream based dressings, try fat free mayonnaise, buttermilk or low fat yogurt. Flavor with garlic, dill, mustard or lemon juice.
Crunchy Low Fat Snacks
Try cutting pita bread into quarters and baking them on low for about ten minutes or until crunchy. Dip in hummus, cottage cheese dip or salsa. Look for a low fat hummus or make one in the blender.
Rice chips come in all kinds of flavors and they kick those crunchy salty cravings.Pretzels are another good low fat snack choice, although they’re often high in salt. Try baked tortilla or potato chips instead of fried.
Whole grain crackers with low fat cheese are a healthy and filling snack alternative. Harder cheeses are generally lower in fat, but there are low-fat versions of softer cheeses.
Quick Low Fat Hummus
- One cup of chickpeas (garbanzo beans)
- 1/8 cup of water
- 1 tsp. Lemon juice
- One clove of garlic
- 2 tsp. Chopped onion
- Cayenne, salt and pepper to taste.
Blend, refrigerate and serve.
Other Low-Fat Snacks
- Try apple butter or jam as a low-fat alternative to butter on English muffins, toast or bagels.
- Use fresh fruit for toppings on pancakes and waffles.
- Keep fresh cut vegetables like carrots, celery, peppers and broccoli in the fridge for a handy snack on the run.
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