Healthy snack ideas for a chocoholic?

[Nikki]

Personally, I really like O'Coco's.....they are thin chocolate crisps that come in 90-calorie bags. They're also organic, and reeeaaallly chocolatey! A little bag of 'em kills my worst chocolate cravings :D

Here is the website, and there is a store locator on the left:
http://www.worldpantry.com/cgi-bin/ncommerce3/ExecMacro/nspired/ococos/home.d2w/report

[Breezy]

Meryl - I can relate to what you are going thru - Nikki's suggestion sounds really good & I'd like to try those myself. Sometimes the only thing that will satisfy IS a good piece of choccy so buy the best (make it worth eating) and make sure it's dark (it's healthy for the heart) and enjoy 1 piece when you can't resist the urge! I know - easier said than done.;)

[Meryl Schoenbaum]

What a great shopping list! Thank you all so much for your healthy snack ideas -- it's exactly what I was hoping for. Now I can stock my fridge and cupboards with those treats and keep them handy at work and home.

Thanks Lisa S. -- I took your advice about almonds and picked up a jar of honey cinnamon almonds when I was at Target today. (I know I should have bought plain almonds instead, but baby steps...) ;)

Nikki, those O'Coco's sound delish -- thanks for letting us in on the secret. I'm going to check them out!

Thanks for the reality check Breezy. There's no way I'm ever going to give up chocolate completely, so I might as well go to the "dark" side and make it heart healthy when I do indulge! :cool:

And JSRocks, those small bags of popcorn are coming with me to work -- thanks a lot!

[memmey]

I love a really good cup of coffee. Down here that is a wonderful pleasure. I for the most part don't crave chocolate( I'm a lemon person...odd huh?) BUT when I do I make a cup of hot coffe and add sugar- free hot chocolate mix to it with a little sugar-free french vanilla creamer and it is rich and warm and a real treat.
It is a good cold weather boost. If you don't caffinate then use decaf.:p

[Lisa S]

I had an ulcer a few months back and not drinking coffee was the hardest part of the ordeal. I'm back on it and loving every minute of it. Gotta have some kind of vice.

[Gigi]

All this chocolate talk makes me want a piece of chocolate! :D

[RoseMary]

If I hadn't just made a cup of tea, I'd be having hot chocolate!

I've never heard of O'Coco's, but I'm going to look for some.

[SusiesQs]

All this talk of snacks is making me really hungry. I am craving something sweet but healthy...is there such a thing?? ;)

[Breezy]

Susie - dark chocolate is actually healthy for the heart - in small amounts of course:p

[WannaBHomemaker]

I say just mix up some M&Ms with pretzels, peanuts, granola, whatever and make your own snack mix. My mom does that every fall and puts M&Ms with peanuts and candy corn, but you can substitute the candy corn for pretzels or raisins. Mix some up and when you run out make some more but with less chocolate until you don't notice the chocolate not being there at all. Don't know if it'll work but it sounds good!

[Lisa S]

My biggest food downfall is M & Ms mixed with something salty. I eat them until it's GONE!

[RoseMary]

I love M&Ms with cashews~really any chocolate with cashews.

[memmey]

LOL ya'll need to stop!!! I'm starving. I got that gym membership for my birthday and I'm trying to get back in shape. Oh my what will I do for Christmas??? I LOVE pie.
Emil will spend Christmas Eve with me and the I will go and visit Poppa for Christmas day. Mil wants pumpkin or potato pie...oh no, did I mention I love pie???? I wonder what I can do to make it healthier??? Pie crust *L* yummmmm. :o

[oxide]

I eat frozen vegetables, right out of the bag. Peas and corn and baby lima beans. I'm pathetic.

[CohenCottage]

We do hot chocolate as a quick fix for cravings...

[ChapterTwo]

Has anyone tried "No Pudge Brownies"? They're made from wholesome ingredients (the original mix includes: pure cane sugar, unbleached wheat flour, Dutch cocoas, egg whites, cornstarch, wheat gluten, natural vanilla flavor, salt and baking soda), have NO fat, and 120 calories for a 2" piece!!

All you have to add, besides the powder in the box, is a cup of fat free French Vanilla yogurt (I use Stonyfield Farm). When you start mixing in the yogurt, you'll think that there is no way there could be enough moisture to yield a brownie batter...but just keep on mixing and the batter will turn smooth and rich looking.

I am a chocoholic and I LOVE these brownies (so does my 24 yr. old daughter). I have only had the basic brownie flavor (pink box), but they sell other kinds. Here's the website: http://www.nopudge.com/
Yummmm! :)

I have purchased them at Trader Joe's and at Pathmark Supermarkets...there is a "Where to Buy" section here, by state: http://www.nopudge.com/common/where2buy.html

[Gigi]

Really- NO PUDGE chocolate??? OMGooodness it sounds perfect! I just can't keep chocolate in the house---it's gone before I know it :p

[Suz]

Ditto that Gigi--man I need to go eat my dinner---all this talk about food! But I'm going to look for that mix the next time I go to the store...

[ChapterTwo]

I love apple pie but I don't love the fat and calories.
Soooo, I've mixed up a batch of cinnamon (healthy!) and sugar in a little jar, which I keep handy.

I slice (and I peel) an apple, and sprinkle the C & S liberally on the slices. Then I microwave for a bit more than a minute and...Voila! Apple pie taste without any of the bad stuff, and it's ridiculously quick to make.
(Not to mention it gives your home a wonderful aroma).

[CohenCottage]

that's an EXCELLENT idea! and you could put it on frozen yogurt if you wanted to add some calcium...

[Suz]

I agree that is a great idea. I'm definitely going to try that...with the yogurt on the side :)

[annielinz]

Heres a healthy snack, tho its not chocolate it is good for you. Frozen grapes. I have seen the no pudge brownie mix at TJ's ,I will have to give them a try.

[ChapterTwo]

that's an EXCELLENT idea! and you could put it on frozen yogurt if you wanted to add some calcium...

That would DEFINITELY work! :D

[Gigi]

I wouldn't believe it BUT I tried them myself today...Get a notebook out for the long recipe :p Here it is:

ONE BOX OF BROWNIE MIX
ONE CAN OF BLACK BEANS

15 oz. size of black beans is good.

Blend the black beans (with liquid) in a blender- pour into the brownie mix-that's it! NO WATER, OIL OR EGGS.

Make sure to spray your pan with oil, etc... and cook about a minute less than you normally would.

It really really is wonderful- great chocolate fix and fiber too at the same time.

[WannaBHomemaker]

very very interesting Gigi! That one is very original. I may try it if my husband will let me - lol. I can just see his expression now - "You're going to do what??"

[airsides]

Ok I bought the black beans and the brownie mix.... now I'm going to let my 3 year old "cook" dessert - if ya know what I mean!!!!!

Thanks!

[Gigi]

Let me know how the brownies turn out~ fun for your little one too! ;)

[RoseMary]

It does sound very interesting. Next time I go shopping, I'm going to buy a can of black beans and give it a try.

[amy4565]

Hi there,

I always prefer a cup of hot coffee with yummy chips when i am working on my computer. I like it very much. You can also try that.:rolleyes:

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[Hillary Black]

How did the black bean brownies turn out?
I will have to try those beanie brownies!

Speaking of brownies...
Here's one from my Brownies and Girl Scout days -- great for taking on hikes and road trips.

Core an apple. Mix some raisins into peanut butter and stuff the apple with the mixture. Cover with plastic wrap until ready to eat. Yum!
I can only imagine it with mini chocolate chips instead of raisins...!

Hillary

[vintage girl]

What a great snack Hillary!! My apple tree is going to be great this year, I can hardly wait. I have so many apples that I run out of ideas of what to do with them. I am going to try this and I know I will love it. It will be great to make up a few and take them to work as a quick healthy snack. thanks:)

[RoseMary]

Yum, I remember eating that snack when I was little, Hillary! Thanks for the reminder.

Vintage girl, one of my favorite apple snacks is chopping up the apple, mixing with walnuts, and then drizzling with fat free Caramel syrup.

Lately, I've taken to eating Honey Nut Cheerios as a snack. I just put them in a little baggie and graze on them one little Cheerio at a time.

[BettyGsdoublewidecottage]

I am always craving chocolate. I keep sugar free jello chocolate pudding on hand to help curb my craving. I also love Lindt chocolate truffles which have molten chocolate in the centers. The trouble with those is I want to devour the entire bag. :D

[Lisa S]

My mom owned an imported chocolate store in the 1980's. Personally, I could take or leave chocolate. (I was the perfect employee) Those Lindt Lindor balls always found their way into my pocket though... they DO melt in your mouth!

[Gigi]

Very cool your mom owning a chocolate store~ I wouldn't be a great employee~ so I wouldn't be able to fit through the front door :eek:

[vintage girl]

I love chocolate. Years ago, I had a part-time second job working for Godiva Chocolates in the Mall. I spent my entire pay-check on chocolate;)