Sunday, July 27, 2008

Healthy, Quick, and Easy Snacking!

It's been awhile, I know. I cook the same things a lot, so I didn't want to repeat myself.

However, recently, I've discovered a few new products that I absolutely love that are pretty healthy and cost effect.

Del Monte® Fruit Chillers
A smooth, individually packaged sorbet that is a great healthy great. Made with real fruit, it's fat-free and has 3/4 servings of fruit per cup. One package contains 4 individual cups, sells for about $2.15. You pick these up in the canned fruit aisle and freeze overnight. Currently comes in four flavors: artic strawberry, polar raspberry, glacial mango, and frosty peach. I've tried Polar Raspberry and it reminded me of fruit roll-ups!

Kraft Bagelfuls
Four individually wrapped, cream cheese filled bagel "sticks." These are a great alternative to a full size bagel. Keep in the freezer and pop in the microwave before eating OR keep in the fridge and eat on the go, toast, or microwave. Toasting gets the bagel part all crispy but leaves the cream cheese inside nice and chilled! Comes in multiple flavors: Regular cream cheese, Strawberry, Cinnamon, Whole Grain, and Chive. I've tried Cinnamon and Regular (only 200 calories per bagel). Whole Grain only has 180 calories per bagel. These are currently selling for less than $2 a box!

Walmart fresh fruit cups
I'm horrible because I can't remember the name brand, but Walmart is currently carrying individual fresh fruit cups. For about $2, you can pick up a single serving of pre-cleaned, fresh pineapple chunks, pineapple and mango chunks, green and red apple slices with caramel dipping sauce, or strawberries with chocolate dipping sauce. I still like to pick up larger selections of pineapple, mango, etc...but these apples and strawberries with dipping sauce are GREAT! The sauces are amazing. Every now and then you find a soggy apple in the cup or a strawberry with a bruise, but overall they have great quality control. Makes healthy snacking quick and easy!
Walmart also carries fruit trays and boxes for 2, 4, or "more." While I love picking up my own apples, peaches, and apricots, I don't know what to do with melons or pineapple. These trays are great because the fruit is already cleaned and cut slightly larger than bite size. No pre-order needed with a caterer or deli...these are always handy in the fridge section of the produce aisle.

With options like these becoming the norm, there is no reason to down an entire bag of potato chips! Caramel or chocolate dipping sauce!!! Pre-cut, hassle-free fruit selections!!! SORBET!

What are your quick and easy snacking tips? Feel free to share below!

4 comments:

Unknown said...

Loved your recipes! Keep up the good work. Alot of cooks like quick ways to feed their family.

A very good friend gave me this recipe last night.

Mexican Tea
1 large can pineapple juice
1 2 quart pitcher of sweet ice tea
mix together for a refeshing party punch

Unknown said...

My wonderful mother-in-law blessed me with Lock & Lock storage containers one Christmas. They are a time and money saver at my house, not only because I use them for leftovers, but I also use them for storing raw fruits and veggies. For example, I buy a large bag of grapes (on sale of course), rinse them, clip them into small clusters and put in a big storage container. They stay crisp and yummy for two weeks. I also use the containers for lettuce, asparagus, pineapple, melons, etc. Things really do stay fresher longer and having them ready to eat out of the container makes it easier for me to eat healthy.

Jennifer said...

I'm so jealous of locking storage containers.

I like the idea of buying what you like, preparing it in advance, and having healthy ready-to-eat snacks on hand.

Thank you for sharing.

Jennifer said...
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