Healthy Snacks Satisfy Munchies

If you're like most people in January, you're trying to eat better and exercise more. My downfall is always snacking. I get tired of crunching carrot and celery sticks. It's time to add a little pizazz to your diet! If you've got the munchies, try some of these healthy snacks:

• Popcorn. Popcorn has everything going for it. As a whole grain, it helps fight heart disease, diabetes and cancer. It's also fiber rich which is good for your colon. And it's low glycemic which means it's less likely to make your blood sugar spike which can cause you to feel hungry even when you're not. When air-popped, three cups of popcorn have only 93 calories.
• Dark chocolate. Chocolate when you're dieting? You bet! Rich in antioxidants, dark chocolate can help lower blood pressure and might protect your heart (the verdict isn't in yet, but let's not look a gift horse in the mouth). Dark chocolate does not spike blood sugar. An ounce of dark chocolate (about 3 pieces of Dove) has 126 calories.
• Prunes. Sweet and delicious, prunes have the lowest effect on blood sugar of dried fruits, half the sugar boost of raisins! Recent studies indicate prunes may help fight colon cancer. Three prunes have 69 calories.
• Hard-boiled egg. Packed with filling protein and rich in choline which optimizes brain function, each small white orb packs a nutritional wallop. One egg is just 80 calories.
• Almonds. Rich in fiber and protein, a handful of almonds makes a delicious and filling snack. Eat them in their skins which are packed with antioxidants. Almonds are good for your cholesterol and may cut the risk of lung cancer and heart disease. A small handful of almonds (about 15) is 100 calories.
• Peanut butter. It may be high in fat, but snacking on peanuts and peanut butter helps suppress appetite. Spread a tablespoon on celery sticks or apple slices for a delicious crunchy snack. One tablespoon of peanut butter is 90 calories.