Carla's Get Fit Blog: Snacks & Treats for Under 250 Calories

Are you on a diet rollercoaster? Not surprising...diets don't work! Most diets severly restrict your calories, and cause your metabolism to slow down. When your metabolism slows, your body goes into preservation/starvation mode. Then, your body will start taking nutrients from your muscles for energy. Do you really think this sounds like the way to lose weight and live a healthy lifestyle? NO WAY!! To keep that metabolism kicked into high gear, and for maximum weight loss, you should be eating 5 to 6 meals/day. Now, I know most of us have no problem getting in three solid meals - take a look at those meals too, chances are your portions are out of control. Three meals, and two snacks a day is the way to get your body to the lean machine you've always wanted. I've put together some snack ideas for you that are 250 calories or less. I even gave you a couple of sweet treats, because we all have cravings, don't we?!?

Buy a scale, weigh and measure your food for awhile until you feel comfortable eyeballing it. I still weigh my food when I'm home cooking, just to be on the safe side.

Enjoy - and let me know what you think!

HUMMUS EGG SALAD

Mix 4 hard boiled egg whites with 2 Tbsp hummus. Put into a small whole-wheat pita, with lettuce.
184 calories, 3.8 g fat

MINI PIZZA

Split 1 whole-wheat English muffin, top with 1/3 cup tomato sauce, and 1 low-fat string cheese stick. Bake in toaster oven until cheese melts, 3 to 5 minutes.

135 calories, 10 g fat

EDAMAME BEANS

Boil 1 cup edamame and sprinkle with sea salt. Eat the beans in the pod.

179 calories, 7.5 g fat

BLACK BEAN ROLL UP

Fill one small corn tortilla with 1/4 cup mashed black beans. Top with 1/4 of an avocado, sliced, and 1 Tbsp salsa.
199 calories, 8.7 g fat