Lighten Up Your Snacks

Don’t let snacks sabotage your diet. Trade high-calorie snacks for these low-calorie alternatives.

1. Splurge on 2 ounces of baked potato chips instead of 2 ounces of regular chips. Calories saved: 50

2. Pass on the large brownie, go for the smaller one. Calories saved: 100

3. Instead of an iced chocolate cupcake, try 2 fig bars. Calories saved: 75

4. Trade a peanut butter and jelly sandwich for a sliced apple dipped in a tablespoon of creamy peanut butter. Calories saved: 50

5. Spread low-fat cream cheese on your crackers instead of 2 tablespoons of the full-fat version. Calories saved: 50

6. Need a dip for vegetables? Try a light ranch dressing instead of 2 tablespoons of regular dressing. Calories saved: 70

7. Munch on a cup of frozen grapes instead of an ice cream sandwich. Calories saved: 100

8. Replace 1 ounce of peanuts for 1/2 ounce of peanuts mixed with 1 tablespoon of raisins for your own trail mix. Calories saved: 50

9. Have a small pear with 1 ounce of string cheese instead of just one large pear. Calories saved: 50

10. Trade a Snickers fun-size bar for 2 bite-size ones, or better yet, split the candy bar with a friend. Calories saved: 50

11. For nachos, shred 2 ounces of low-fat cheddar instead of 2 ounces of regular cheddar. Calories saved: 50

12. In between meals, choose a petite banana over a larger one. Calories saved: 55

13. Instead of a Pop-Tart, enjoy a whole-wheat English muffin with 1 tablespoon of sugar-free jam. Calories saved: 60

14. Replace 2 ounces of Fritos corn chips with 2 ounces of whole-wheat crackers. Calories saved: 70

15. Want chocolate? Trade a traditional package of plain M&M’s for a snack-size cup of chocolate pudding. Calories saved: 100

Plus: Snack Foods to Satisfy Your 9 Types of Hunger

Originally Published in Reader's Digest