1. Quaker Chewy Dark Chocolate Cherry 90 Calorie Granola Bars (90 Calories, 2g Fat per Bar) Whole-grain oats and wheat make this bar a heart-smart choice, but it was the combination of fruit and candy flavors that won over testers' taste buds. One said: "It's the next best thing to a chocolate-covered cherry." ($3 for a box of 10)
2. Hostess 100 Calorie Packs Cinnamon Streusel Muffins (100 Calories, 3g Fat for 3 Cakes) You'll save a whopping 31 grams of sugar and 15 grams of fat by selecting these bitesize treats over the coffeehouse version, but you'll still get that crumbly cinnamon-spiced top—not to mention 5 grams of fiber per three-pack. ($4 for 6 packs of 3)
3. Starbucks Skinny Mocha (90 Calories, 0g Fat for 12 oz.) This espresso beverage has about half the calories of the original but still meets 30 percent of your daily calcium needs. "The flavor is like a creamy cross between coffee and hot cocoa," said one tester. "I'll definitely be drinking the iced version this summer!" ($3 for a tall cup)
4. Reese's Peanut Butter Snacksters (100 Calories, 4g Fat per Pack) Need a serious hit of PB minus the J? This goodie grab bag filled with peanut butter chips, cereal puffs, and Reese's Pieces makes short work of cravings. One comment: "For peanut butter addicts like me, this mix totally hits the spot." ($3 for a box of 7)
5. Pepperidge Farm Montieri Raspberry Tart Cookies (120 Calories, 3g Fat for 2 Cookies) Made with a layer of real fruit and a flaky pastry lattice top, "this cookie reminds me of a fresh-baked pie, in miniature!" one taster claimed. Plus, the treat contains no artificial flavors or preservatives, just like Grandma used to make. ($3 for a bag of 12)
1. Wholly Guacamole 100 Calorie Snack Packs (100 Calories, 8g Fat per Pouch) This Tex-Mex favorite delivers heart-healthy fats, folate, and vitamin B6. Guacamole can be tough to stop scooping, so testers were relieved to find it in portion-size packs. One said: "It's just the right amount to use as a dip for lowfat tortilla chips." ($4 for a box of 6)
2. Miss Vickie's Nine Grain Simply Salted Chips (140 Calories, 7g Fat for 15 Chips) Wholesome ingredients like steel-cut oats, buckwheat, and barley—plus extras like sunflower seeds and brown rice—give this chip hearty texture. One taster commented: "These are flavorful enough on their own; you hardly need any dip." ($2 for a 6 oz. bag)
3. Dr. Praeger's Sweet Potato Bites (110 Calories, 3g Fat for 2 Pieces) Lightly crispy and filled with pieces of tangy sweet potato, each round fulfills 10 percent of your daily vitamin A needs. "I love that they're bitesize, like a passed hors d'oeuvre," one taster said, "and quick to heat up and eat anytime." ($3 for a box of 12)
4. Progresso 40% Less Sodium Italian-Style Wedding Soup (90 Calories, 2g Fat per Cup) Seasoned meatballs, tubetti pasta, carrots, and spinach give this soup a thick, chunky texture—and make it a truly satisfying snack. Not only didn't staffers miss the extra sodium, but one said, "I felt full for hours after eating it." ($2 for an 18.5 oz. can)
5. Morningstar Farms Ginger Teriyaki Veggie Cakes (110 Calories, 2g Fat per Patty) "These saved me when I had to work late and wanted something 'real' to eat," confided one tester. Each Asian-style patty, made with bok choy, edamame, and sticky rice, provides half the niacin you need daily. ($4 for a box of 4)
1. Edy's Fruit Bars (45 Calories, 1g Fat per Bar) From the outside, they look like traditional ice pops, but the fruit-fl avored shell hides a creamy center. "The raspberry flavor is a tasty spin on the original orange variety," shared one tester. Can't find the Edy's brand? Look for the bars sold under the Dreyer's label in some locations. ($6 for a box of 24)
2. Yoplait Fiber One Nonfat Strawberry Yogurt Each half-cup container delivers 5 grams of fiber—20 percent of what's recommended daily to help reduce your risk of heart disease. "It was a little sweeter than I expected," said one tester, "so it's perfect for mixing with cereal or fruit." ($3 for 6)
3. Sara Lee Strawberry Cheesecake Bites (120 Calories, 7g Fat for 6 Bites) No need to split a single piece of cheesecake with friends. This freezer treat lets you keep that crumbly crust and rich filling all to yourself. "Because they tasted so decadent, I only needed two to satisfy my creamy cravings," raved a taster. ($4 for a tub of 40)
4. Kraft LiveActive Natural Mozzarella Cheese Sticks (80 Calories, 5g Fat per Stick) These preportioned sticks are made with probiotic cultures, good bacteria that foster healthy digestion. "A sophisticated version of the original string variety—and just the right size for an anytime snack," said one tester. ($4 for a bag of 7)
5. Jell-O Singles Sugar Free Instant Chocolate Pudding Mix (80 Calories, 0g Fat per 4 oz.) Nonperishable and tiny enough to toss in any bag, this treat made testers nostalgic. "One bite took me back to elementary school," one remarked. To whip up a snack in seconds, stir a packet into half a cup of cold nonfat milk. ($2 for a box of 6)
1. Kellogg's All-Bran Strawberry Drizzle Fiber Bar (120 Calories, 3g Fat per Bar) Sure, it contains 10 grams of fiber—40 percent of what you need daily—but bits of real fruit and an icing topper make this healthy snack seem almost like dessert. One tester said she would "grab one when I'm craving a doughnut for breakfast." ($5 for a box of 6)
2. Quaker Caramel Drizzle Mini Delights (90 Calories, 4g Fat per Bag) Splashed with smoky caramel, these rice cakes taste nothing like the bland version from years ago. Testers deemed them "ideal for trips to the mall, where you might be tempted to grab something unhealthy from the food court." ($3 for a box of 6)
3. Pringles Baked Wheat Pizza Stix (90 Calories, 4g Fat per bag) Tasty things come in slim packages: Each pouch has a dozen crispy wheat sticks dusted with a blend of Italian seasonings. "You get that savory flavor of pizza sauce and just a hint of cheese without all the calories," remarked one taster. ($3 for a box of 10)
4. Kellogg's Wild Animal Crunch Cereal (100 Calories, 1g Fat for ½ Cup) The kid in you won't be able to resist the furry creatures featured on the box—or the chocolate—>anilla flavor of the wholegrain cereal inside. Your grown-up side will appreciate that each bowl provides 25 percent of 7 vitamins and minerals. ($3 for an 11 oz. box)
5. Utz Original Multigrain Sunflower Chips (140 Calories, 6g Fat for 1 oz.) These wavy crisps are made with flour from whole-grain corn, rice, and oats. And while they're 40 percent lower in fat than traditional chips, they still "taste just sinful enough to make you feel like you're treating yourself," said one tester. ($3 for a 10 oz. bag)
1. TrueNorth 100% Natural Peanut Clusters (170 Calories, 13g Fat for 6 Pieces) Knowing when to stop noshing can be tough, but these cubes make portion control easier. Each serving supplies a dose of magnesium and heart-friendly monounsaturated fats. "Great nutty flavor with just a hint of sweetness," said one staffer. ($3 for a 5.5 oz. bag)
2. Kashi Roasted Garlic & Thyme TLC Party Crackers (130 Calories, 5g Fat for 4 Crackers) Baked with a delectable blend of garlic, herbs, and sesame seeds, this sophisticated snack delivers 8 grams of whole grains per serving. "I'd top mine with a thin slice of Swiss or Monterey Jack for an extra kick of flavor," one taster remarked. ($3 for a box of 24)
3. Popcorn, Indiana Aged White Cheddar Kettlecorn (160 Calories, 11g Fat for 2½ Cups) Even after taste testing was finished, staffers kept asking for extra samples of this cheese popcorn. "For something so light, it's got an incredibly rich, full flavor," said one. "I was tempted to lick my fingers afterward!" ($2 for a 4 oz. bag)
4. Nabisco 100 Calorie Packs Mister Salty Milk Chocolate Covered Pretzels (100 Calories, 4g Fat per Bag) Pop open a pack and you'll get a generous handful of pretzel rings. "These are the ultimate go-to snack for PMS cravings," said one tester. "They curb your desire for something sweet and salty in one shot." ($3 for a box of 6)
5. LesserEvil Classic SeaSalt Krinkle Sticks (110 Calories, 3g Fat for 1.2 oz.) Dusted with white pepper, garlic powder, and sea salt, these sticks are baked—not fried—to make them ultra crispy. Said one tester: "You get the satisfying snap of a potato chip and the fun shape of a French fry without all the extra grease." ($3 for a 5 oz. bag)
source: shape.com
:) time for me to grab a skinny cinnamon dolce latte & head to the gym! |