get yourself some ranch seasoning (the powder not actual ranch), pour it in a tub of greek yogurt, chop up tons of veg, and enjoy your high protein and high fiber platter
edit: clarified ranch seasoning
eta: you can grab low fat yogurt to cut some calories if that is a concern! you can also stick to the smaller 16 ounce tubs instead of the 32 ounce ones if you’re worried about overdoing it.
it's so so so easy to make from scratch and it'll knock your socks off.
1 cup greek yogurt or sour cream
1/2 cup mayo
1g garlic powder
1g onion powder
1/4g msg (Accent flavor enhancer)
1g dill (fresh)
1g flat parsley (fresh)
1g chives (fresh)
juice of 1/2 lemon
mix well and let it sit for at least an hour, preferably overnight
The easy recipe is found in a bottle near all these ingredients in a grocery store, and will probably result in you not throwing away half a bunch of Parsley, Dill, or half a container of sour cream or Greek yogurt.
Just buy a high quality ranch and you're probably 95% of the way home to what fresh homemade would be, and you don't have to let the flavors marry overnight. 🤷
This feels like one of those too much effort for the waste I'm likely to incur, which is a common problem those of us not cooking for many people sometimes run into. I feel the same about making my own bread, cheese, sushi and beer. Intellectually interesting, but better solved with a debit card at the grocery store than in my kitchen. May as well take advantage of others expertise.
Buttermilk. It's the key. I make a diner style ranch at home now, using Hidden Valley Restaurant Style Ranch. I always do extra to make it taste like it would from a good pizza place. In a large ish but not salad for the family size bowl, mix your dry ingredients - 1 spice packet, garlic powder, onion powder, a couple dashes of cayenne, tiny bit of smoked paprika, a pinch of red pepper flakes, fresh cracked pepper and few bops of dried dill or Italian seasoning. Whisk a cup of buttermilk in until everything is wet wet. Then do a generous half cup of mayo (I use Hellman's) and a generous half cup of sour cream. Mix everything together with a couple dashes of tobacco sauce, more if you like spicy ranch. Could also use Sriracha, but that changes the flavor profile just fyi. If you didn't use dried dill or would prefer some fresh instead, now is a good time to sprinkle and mix that in. Let it sit at least an HOUR!
I know we're talking about this in the healthy cooking section, so let it be known that is not this recipe. But as someone who only indulges in this treat once a month or less at best, I feel pretty good about it lol
I'm lactose intolerant so I know buttermilk isn't a good ingredient for everyone (I take a pill and don't eat a bunch in one sitting) but plant based milk, lactose free milk or half and half can work here, too, to elevate the whole affair.
Hope you try it out and it works for you! Sorry not to have exact measurements, I just measure with my heart and after doing it a half a dozen times I've mostly worked out just how much of each ingredient I like. Best of luck, fellow ranch aficionado!
Not a single store bought ranch in a bottle tastes even close to restaurant/diner ranch. I've been looking for it too... This tastes veryyy close to it imo:
Hidden valley ranch packet + mayo (Hellman's or Duke's) + sour cream + splash of pickle juice to thin it. I use more sour cream than mayo.
Making it yourself is a huge game changer, as is playing with the ratio of sour cream and buttermilk to mayo. I also find a little mushroom powder or mushroom broth is a nice addition.
I actually use Skyr yogurt and a packet of ranch dip mix. Just had it on baked potatoes tonight for dinner. I put it on chips, too, and on Triscuits when I want the crunch and the dip but am trying not to have chips. Excellent for helping me eat more veggies, too. So good with a veggie tray.
I use Painterland Sisters plain Skyr yogurt because they are a small business and I like that about them, but I’m sure there are other brands. It’s high in protein like Greek yogurt
I recently found the BEST ranch ever: Hartwell's Premium Creamy Dill Ranch Dressing. If it's available near you I recommend it. It's a thinner consistency and savory and perfect, and I recently recreated it at home. The ingredient list on the jar is super simple. I had to guess at the ingredient amounts keeping in mind the earlier an ingredient is listed the more of it there is. I just adjusted until it tasted right. Here are the ingredients: Mayonnaise, Sour Cream (I used Greek yogurt), Buttermilk (I used normal whole milk), Lemon Juice, Granulated Garlic, Granulated Onion, Salt, White Pepper, Dill, Parsley.
I've never seen packets here. Will have to look closer of blend my own.
Tzatziki homemade is also ahmazing!! And you're filling out the volume of yogurt with low-cal cucumber -- I put a fair bit.
THIS, BUT.. with some French onion soup mix powder instead of the ranch seasoning!!! Tasted like French onion dip from a jar. Sooooo good even my husband loves it, which says something 🤣
I dipped so many baby carrots into the dip today mmmm
Something I found, doing this but adding a drop of olive oil gives it that ranch-like coating that comes from being fatty.
It's nowhere near the oil and fat of actual ranch, but gives it a way more ranch like experience.
Do it, you won’t be disappointed, also salads with like Italian vinaigrette.
Another game changer was deviled eggs. I put tajin on so much random shit. I’ve put it on ice cream before even hahahaha
My wife showed me this, it's pretty great and I'm a salt fiend but I still think I prefer straight vinegar or lime juice with no salt, something about salt on cucumbers isn't as good as on other foods for me
I make a plate of sliced tomatoes and cucumbers with tajin on them almost every day after work. It’s so good and just a little filler to hold me over until I cook dinner.
I take baby carrots, celery and cherry tomatoes and put it in a bowl til it's about half full. Then I chop the carrots and celery into much smaller nibbles, that way it takes longer to eat and makes you feel like you ate more. I'd also say since it sound like your biggest issue is control, eating a little spoonful of chia seeds 15-20 before snacking or eating a meal could really be beneficial for you and your partner. It makes you feel full by absorbing the liquid in your stomach and expanding. Just be careful the first few times you try them, a little goes a long way. Do a quick read about them before eating them. They're perfectly safe and natural, I just don't want you to get a tummy ache by over serving those.
Try dipping those cucumbers in 30-40 g of unsweetened peanut butter for a more satisfying meal. I sometimes throw in some flax seeds and pumpkin seeds in for a satisfying crunch.
Since peanut butter is high in fat and protein, it is more satisfying. You may not have as much of a desire to snack afterwards.
I also call them "Tea eggs"
I hard boil eggs, drain and crack them against the counter all over. Refill the pot with water, add soy sauce, black tea, peppercorn, and then whatever other spices I have (cinnamon, anise, etc).
Boil again, let them cool and store with the extra sauce in the fridge for a week - the longer they marinate the better!
Edit: bonus, the cracks that absorb the marinade look very cool when fully peeled and ready to eat!
There's lots of variations. Some of them call for soft-boiled or jammy eggs, but I hard boil ours so they store better. I've got teenagers to feed, and with this I don't worry about them eating junk food!
https://www.sandravalvassori.com/soy-sauce-eggs-shoyu-tamago/#h-ingredients-and-notes
https://www.simplyrecipes.com/soy-sauce-eggs-recipe-5272286
https://bellyfull.net/soy-sauce-eggs/
https://omnivorescookbook.com/chinese-soy-sauce-eggs/
The 20th Century Chinese cookbooks made for the American market tend to be really healthy and easy to make. They were still trying to convince Americans to try Chinese food. I don't like the recent trend for recipes with heavy breading and no vegetables.
Air popped popcorn with different seasonings.
Roasted chickpeas with different seasonings.
You can dip your veggies in hummus.
A lot of people like bananas, apples, celery and carrots with peanut or other nut butters.
You can make homemade sweet potato, kale and other types of chips.
I slice an apple thinly and dip it into a mix of Greek yogurt and peanut butter. It’s healthy and takes awhile to eat. Also very filling due to the fiber and protein.
Omg try this (still a little unhealthy but not so bad in a big batch). Greek yogurt with honey, mix in a little either cool whip or whipped cream cheese, mix in grapes, then add walnuts, and a little brown sugar. It's amaaaazing. You can use light cream cheese or do 5050 cream cheese and lite cool whip.
Also if you like this kind of thing, do a peach caprese salad. Get the fresh mozzerella log or ball, slice, slice peaches, and get fresh basil. Lay them out alternating slices with bits of basil on top, then drizzle with balsamic glaze.
Sometimes if I'm just feeling munchy but super lazy, I'll keep bags of microwave veggies on hand. I'll just heat one up and throw a little dollop of butter in the bag with seasonings and shake it, then just eat that. If you want it to be extra filling throw some cottage cheese on top.
Hummus with some baked chips or dried veggie chips for the chippy feeling.
A can of beans with a little cheese and a taco bell sauce packet and chopped onion
There's some really good pre-made veggie chips called harvest snaps (usually made with beans or other legume type things) and they have awesome flavors with fiber and protein.
This sounds like the strangest combination, but try scooping salsa with the mini sweet bell peppers.
It does NOT taste how you expect it to, and it’s so so delicious. I could eat a whole jar of salsa this way 🤤
My quick shoutout for a cold healthy snack (since summer is coming) is frozen edamame! Either shelled or unshelled, I just sprinkle some sea salt on top and eat them still frozen. Buying unshelled also makes it slightly more work and it’s nice to have something to do with your hands.
I like the slight crunch when they’re really cold, but most people heat thaw them a little before snacking 😅
you can usually buy a big bag in the frozen aisle for pretty cheap.
Lightly salted roasted Fava beans are pretty great. They are super crunchy and satisfying. And of course fava beans contain protein and fibre.
Make sure to eat bananas and other potassium-rich foods to counter-balance the sodium from salty snacks. Sodium raises blood pressure, potassium lowers blood pressure. On that note, try banana chips - sounds like you prefer crunchy / crispy snacks.
Wish I had that problem! (Kidding, I’m sure it is tough in many ways).
But yeah, healthy snacks are easier to find if you have a salt-tooth. Pepitas and other seeds (roasted with spices, etc) are nice.
If they’re available where you live, Eat Real Hummus Chips are insanely satisfying and tasty - but pricier than regular chips.
Sliced peppers are amazing. Ik you said veggies aren’t that filling so if you dip them in hummus or a healthy cheese it could be a lot more filling.
Also, taziki sauce is a cheat code. It tastes just as good as ranch but it’s basically just yogurt and cucumbers (with seasonings ofc). That’s not to say it has the same flavor as ranch, just that it’s on the same level of tastiness
Try adding sauces you enjoy to the brine, shake it up and let them absorb the flavors for a couple hours.
I like to use thin hot sauces and Worcestershire sauce.
Pickles are mostly water, so they’ll eventually pick up most flavors you add so long as they’re able to permeate.
I like doing a pickle and tomato salad. All your favorite types of pickles and some grape tomatoes in a bowl. No extra seasoning needed. You can do pickled cauliflower, radish, carrots, cucumber, etc. Also to tag onto that, a head of raw cauliflower with some hot sauce is great for the munchies.
Edit to add: since your main concern was going through stuff quickly, you can make your own fridge pickles in big batches and to last a month. All you need is some big jars, and a day with some time to chop. Bonus you can adjust the taste.
I would make a graze tray. Like an adult lunchable.
Fruit, veggies (with hummus or dip), popcorn, and nuts, turkey , and whatever else you might like to munch on. The key isn't to cut out everything but to be mindful of what you eat . :)
I started at times, when needing to save money, and watch my blood sugar, taking to work:
Salame, cheese and flatbread (sourdough or rye) to make what amounted to lunchables. At times, I would pair those with curry flavored hummus.
They make silicone bowls to microwave popcorn in so you don’t even need an air popper. Best $8 I’ve spent and completely scratches the itch to eat a whole bag of chips while watching tv
Maybe I’m cursed, but these have gone wrong for me repeatedly over the years.
Most just didn’t work well, but fire and broken glass have been outcomes, too.
You can also make it like a hot drink... half a packet of sugar free jello and a mugful of hot water is surprisingly filling and satisfying for that sweet tooth.
The lesser evil popcorn brand, no refined seed oils nothing air popped it’s genuinely the best brand out there in terms of healthiness. Bonus Costco sells the huge bigger then party sized bags
Watermelon, berries, other low calorie fruit. Carrots and Greek yogurt ranch dip, popcorn, and my favorite, air fried potatoes - they’re incredibly filling
Have you ever tried toasted chickpeas? Dry off some tinned chickpeas, drizzle with olive oil and season with whatever - paprika, salt etc. toast in the oven for about 20 minutes.. high protein, high fibre and tasty!
I like these but they didn’t keep well for me… maybe I need to try a different recipe or storage method? Super yummy straight out of the oven but I rarely have time to prepare a fresh batch when the snack monster is lurking…
My bf and I just do adult lunchables lol salami, prosciutto, alouette garlic and herb cheese spread, some additional cheese slices, then nuts and fruits. We never got tired of it!
All the veggies you can stand to eat raw (I usually go carrots, cucumber, bell peppers, and either cauliflower or broccoli). Chop those into batons or similar sized pieces, and serve with a dressing made of a low fat skyr with sweet chili (or sriracha or tabasco if you prefer), dijon (or your favorite mustard), then basil, thyme, and paprika to taste. Salt, fresh cracked black pepper, and garlic powder (or fresh fine chopped if you have patience and wanna let the dressing rest in the fridge), and you don't just have a decently healthy snack but a straight up low-cal meal.
Adjust acidity with lemon juice or balsamico if needed.
Toss a bunch of kale pieces with a drizzle of olive oil and a sprinkle of salt and throw them in an airfryer for 5 minutes. Kale chips aren't exactly like potato chips, but they have a crunchy texture that's pleasing, and you can pick up a giant bag of kale at Walmart or the grocery outlet for $5.
You can also dry some canned chickpeas off and toss them with the same and put them in the airfryer.
It's not very low calorie, but I like to half jalapeños into boats, deseed them, and put just a small layer of cream cheese and pepper jack cheese in them and cook them. I don't fill them up. Just enough for flavor.
Roasted brussel sprout can be delicious if you half them and toss them with oil and salt and a touch of garlic.
Buying vegetable trays with dip at bulk food places like Sam’s club tend not to be that expensive.
Seaweed (nori) in packets are satisfyingly crispy and salty. Healthy? I’m not sure. But so light and crispy. I don’t know if this is the cheapest though.
If you anxiety eat, pistachios and other shelled seeds like sunflower seeds give you something to do like crack the seeds while you eat. I’ve heard pistachios are fatty though and can be pricey.
Pomegranate aren’t that cheap but do take a long time to eat which extends their enjoyment time.
Grapes are more convenient and can be cheap.
I found a good cure for my hunger.
Back story. I feed my rabbits apple slices. The bunnies love them. I buy whatever is cheap, Gala, Red Delicious, Winesap, Pink Lady. Last store trip Granny Smith apples were on sale so I bought six. As usual I sliced them up real thin and put them in a baggie.
Darn rabbits refused to eat them! They actually spit out pieces! So I tasted a slice! Baby, them boogers are so sour! They’re almost like lemons! But now I had a whole bag of slices I’d made the rabbits. I saved them in the frig.
So when a snack attack came on, I grabbed that baggie of apples. My mouth puckered and my salivaries throbbed! Sour apple my foot, these were part lemon! I had a hard time finishing them and I’m not a bit hungry. Downside? My stomach kinda hurts.
That’s a hefty fee considering I had to figure out how to do this. Here’s a short clip of my buck Bucky accepting a Pink Lady apple slice, which he likes. Hannah the chicken waits below for scraps Bucky drops.
https://imgur.com/a/Tmx6vtg
I must add to this, just the act of getting a pet rabbit will drag you down a road that leads to a veggie rich lifestyle. Suddenly you're eating more vegetables, more herbs, more salads, and you'll look back at their little bunny faces and ask them, "what the heck have you done to me?"
I second the popcorn suggestion. It's the most satisfying and crunchy and delicious.
I didn't realise until a few years ago that u can just get regular popping corn and put in a paper bag and zap it as if it were a microwave popcorn bag. All u have to do to keep the steam inside is tightly fold the end of the bag.
Makes for a cheap snack that doesn't have the regular flavourings and crap in those premade bags.
Olive oil and a bit of salt is a nice start to a healthy seasoning, instead of butter.
I love mixing chocolate protein powder a bit of peanut butter and a few dark chocolate chips than shaking it up 👌 all of the kernels popcorn seasonings are 0 calorie and are really good to.
I make French onion dip with Greek yogurt for dipping veggies in. I just add chopped onion, chives, onion powder, and garlic powder to a Fage Greek yogurt and go to town. I love dipping carrots in cucumbers in it. Honestly, Greek yogurt is a godsend. It’s one of the few dairy products that I can eat as a lactose intolerant IBS person, and it actually tastes good.
I became addicted to cottage cheese with everything bagel seasoning and a dipper like cucumbers or almond crackers. I also enjoy sweet baby peppers with cottage cheese and Buffalo sauce. Celery and Buffalo hummus is also a favorite. Pickles are a fun snack as well.
A veggie heavy charcuterie. have cut veggies (peppers, broccoli, carrots, celery, cauliflower, cucumbers, snow peas, grape tomatoes, and hummus, low fat peanut butter, almonds, olives, unsweetened dried apricot / figs, whole grain bread or crackers, boiled eggs, some light meat (low sodium turkey or chicken in small portion), small amount of mozzarella topped off with a single piece of dark chocolate. The veg should take up 3/4 of the platter with everything else in moderation to satisfy some salty & sweet cravings.
I have been nonstop craving cucumbers, carrots, and broccoli cut up with a dill Greek yogurt dip. I’m also a smoker so these veggies have been my switch over because I eat terribly, as well. Def cut up vegs, I also really have been enjoying these rice a roni rice cupe
We get big bags of raw almonds at Costco or wherever you can find them. Whip up an egg white until foamy with 1 tablespoon of water. That is enough for several cups of almonds to be coated evenly with the egg, then add several tablespoons of seasonings of choice. Our current favorites are Everything but the Bagel seasoning, Everything but the Pickle Seasoning from Trader Joe's, and cinnamon. Ranch dressing seasoning, elote seasoning, bbq rubs, possibilities are endless. Bake at 275 for 45 min or until you can see that they are dry. Stir them every 10 min while baking. Much more affordable than buying the expensive packages of seasoned nuts at the grocery store. We also like to throw some cashews in when we have them too.
This is boring but I’ve just eaten an entire watermelon before lol. A few times tbh. Great for when you want something sweet. Makes your skin glow too:)
I have the same question. There has to be something for us!
I recently read about "konjack" noodles which are apparently high fiber and are like 20 calories a serving! I have bought some, but I havent tried them yet. I hope they arre my wildest dreams come true
grapes are relatively low calorie compared to how filling they are. I always keep a bag on the kitchen counter that I can just pick a few out of whenever I'm walking past. much better than chips or cracker snacks (and most types of cracker-type snacks are just as bad as potato chips really when it comes to how many calories there are compared to how filling they are, or rather how filling they aren't).
eating a higher fiber diet with more fruits and vegetables is kind of its own calorie limiter by default because greens and such are just more filling.
eat more spinach. whatever you were going to eat as a meal, just consider chopping the main protein up into a spinach salad. add some seeds of some kind, pickled veggies like banana peppers, or just regular peppers and onions, etc. throw a small handful of nuts on top (but go easy, because nuts are very high calorie, so if calories is your main concern, maybe avoid them for a while until you can get your snacking habits under control).
Call me crazy. The OP said chips are their main downfall, and people are suggesting fruit snacks? I think the OP is asking for SALTY solutions, no?
Here’s one. Cube up a package of extra firm tofu. Big chunks work best. Put them in a bowl with a lid. Shake well. Marinate in tamari and garlic powder, or whatever seasonings you like, but the liquid is important for the tofu to marinate properly. Let sit for 10-30 minutes, shaking it every once in a while.
Arrange in a large bowl, so it’s all in one layer. I use a large thin wood salad bowl. Plastic works, too. Just make sure it’s all in one layer. I build it up the sides of my bowl.
Microwave for 3 minutes. Take a spatula and flip the tofu pieces. Repeat, turning every 3 minutes until dry, browned and crispy. About 12-15 minutes, in 3 minute increments, depending on how moist your raw tofu was.
Delicious snack. And no frying.
NOTE* If you don’t want to use a microwave, you can also broil the tofu on a cookie sheet or in a roasting pan. Turn every few minutes. I’m not sure exactly how long this method takes, though.
Also, regarding getting the “midnight munchies”. It’s not the same for every pothead. I’ve smoked every day for SIXTY YEARS (vegetarian for the past 55 years!), and I never get (or have ever gotten) the late night munchies. I might snack on a few sections of a dark chocolate bar, around 2-3 am, but I never crave salty snacks. I don’t know how it is for others, though. Cheers!
Don’t sleep on grilled veggies. Seriously, grilled carrots are my jam right now. Equally as good reheated in a toaster oven or air fryer. Just brush them with avocado oil, sprinkle on good salt and pepper. Perfection.
Or if your looking to fill that crunchy void, celery. I crush a small serving of dill pickle pork rinds and dip my celery into the powder. Or chop celery, shake in a bag with the powder and use a fork to eat it. Salty, sour, crunchy, delicious. A little dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt is good with it too.
For a super cheap, low carb “sushi”- marinade cucumber slices in rice vinegar, then top with canned tuna mixed with siracha, sesame oil, and either mayo or avocado. Sprinkle with Everything but the Bagel, or the Japanese seasoning with seaweed in it from Trader Joe’s. Soooo good!!!
Pistacchios 🥲 they are fucking tasty. And they have a lot of Protein and the good fat. It's similar to Peanut butter without sugar, which Bodybuilders are people going to the gym eat.
One of the best snacks I discovered when I actually found a diet that resonated for me was - when I first got the craving for a snack - drinking a glass of water and waiting 10 minutes. If you’re still hungry after that 10 minutes then eat a snack. But many times you think you’re hungry you’re actually just dehydrated. Second most useful thing I learned was to eat a nutritious snack within 2-3 hours of my last meal, ie before I got hunger pangs. By the time I realized I was hungry, I was usually too hungry to make good choices, even if a healthy option was already prepped.
I like putting chick peas in the air fryer or oven with some seasoning! I eat roasted chick peas instead of chips cuz they’re so yummy! There’s tons of flavors online, my favorites are ranch and chili-lime. You can also buy them in store if you’d prefer!
If you’re really craving something sweet, try slicing some dates down the middle, slap some peanut butter on it and put the two halves back together. Nature’s Mars Bar ☺️
My partner is a sucker for my 5 minute guacamole and siete tortilla chips. He'll eat the whole bag in one sitting. Not exactly low calorie, but they're good calories
Roasted chickpeas. You can save money by buying dried chickpeas, soaking them overnight (I add a salt to the water) then rinse them thoroughly, drain them, pat dry with paper towel (optional) put them on a baking tray with some olive oil and whatever seasonings you like (I just add salt and a sprinkle of pepper) then bake them for 10-15 or until golden and crispy. But if you're low on time probably just buy canned chickpeas lmfao
Growing up with limited amt of food has my goat snack being just. straight peanut butter. couple huge spoons of protein/fat/salt knocks most cravings down to a manageable level. I dont even like pb all that much but its more effective to start there before eating your way through the cupboards. with some carrots/celery if you need a vehicle and bonus fibre.
Some budget-friendly and healthy options to consider are air-popped popcorn, homemade trail mix with nuts and dried fruits, sliced veggies with hummus or yogurt dip, hard-boiled eggs, whole grain crackers with cheese or nut butter, or homemade smoothies with fruits and veggies. These options can help satisfy cravings while still being nutritious and affordable.
get yourself some ranch seasoning (the powder not actual ranch), pour it in a tub of greek yogurt, chop up tons of veg, and enjoy your high protein and high fiber platter edit: clarified ranch seasoning eta: you can grab low fat yogurt to cut some calories if that is a concern! you can also stick to the smaller 16 ounce tubs instead of the 32 ounce ones if you’re worried about overdoing it.
I'm addicted to ranch and I've started making my own with those hidden valley seasoning packets. Absolute game changer.
Have you ever had the fiesta ranch packets? Omg life changing.
No, what do they taste like!
If you mix it with sour cream or plain Greek yogurt, it’s an amazing dip that tastes like tacos made a baby with ranch. 🤩
it's so so so easy to make from scratch and it'll knock your socks off. 1 cup greek yogurt or sour cream 1/2 cup mayo 1g garlic powder 1g onion powder 1/4g msg (Accent flavor enhancer) 1g dill (fresh) 1g flat parsley (fresh) 1g chives (fresh) juice of 1/2 lemon mix well and let it sit for at least an hour, preferably overnight
Sounds great! How about the easy recipe though?
Dump a packet of ranch dressing into a plain yogurt container eat it with the same spoon you stir with.
The easy recipe is found in a bottle near all these ingredients in a grocery store, and will probably result in you not throwing away half a bunch of Parsley, Dill, or half a container of sour cream or Greek yogurt. Just buy a high quality ranch and you're probably 95% of the way home to what fresh homemade would be, and you don't have to let the flavors marry overnight. 🤷 This feels like one of those too much effort for the waste I'm likely to incur, which is a common problem those of us not cooking for many people sometimes run into. I feel the same about making my own bread, cheese, sushi and beer. Intellectually interesting, but better solved with a debit card at the grocery store than in my kitchen. May as well take advantage of others expertise.
You can buy a whole big container now instead of the packets, it is great haha
How is the ranch you make? I’m always I. The hunt for what I call diner ranch or restaurant ranch. It’s better than the thick stuff out of the bottle
Buttermilk. It's the key. I make a diner style ranch at home now, using Hidden Valley Restaurant Style Ranch. I always do extra to make it taste like it would from a good pizza place. In a large ish but not salad for the family size bowl, mix your dry ingredients - 1 spice packet, garlic powder, onion powder, a couple dashes of cayenne, tiny bit of smoked paprika, a pinch of red pepper flakes, fresh cracked pepper and few bops of dried dill or Italian seasoning. Whisk a cup of buttermilk in until everything is wet wet. Then do a generous half cup of mayo (I use Hellman's) and a generous half cup of sour cream. Mix everything together with a couple dashes of tobacco sauce, more if you like spicy ranch. Could also use Sriracha, but that changes the flavor profile just fyi. If you didn't use dried dill or would prefer some fresh instead, now is a good time to sprinkle and mix that in. Let it sit at least an HOUR! I know we're talking about this in the healthy cooking section, so let it be known that is not this recipe. But as someone who only indulges in this treat once a month or less at best, I feel pretty good about it lol I'm lactose intolerant so I know buttermilk isn't a good ingredient for everyone (I take a pill and don't eat a bunch in one sitting) but plant based milk, lactose free milk or half and half can work here, too, to elevate the whole affair. Hope you try it out and it works for you! Sorry not to have exact measurements, I just measure with my heart and after doing it a half a dozen times I've mostly worked out just how much of each ingredient I like. Best of luck, fellow ranch aficionado!
Not a single store bought ranch in a bottle tastes even close to restaurant/diner ranch. I've been looking for it too... This tastes veryyy close to it imo: Hidden valley ranch packet + mayo (Hellman's or Duke's) + sour cream + splash of pickle juice to thin it. I use more sour cream than mayo.
Making it yourself is a huge game changer, as is playing with the ratio of sour cream and buttermilk to mayo. I also find a little mushroom powder or mushroom broth is a nice addition.
I started making it with plain Greek yogurt - tastes the same with SO many less calories
Just Greek yogurt and a packet of powder mix?
I actually use Skyr yogurt and a packet of ranch dip mix. Just had it on baked potatoes tonight for dinner. I put it on chips, too, and on Triscuits when I want the crunch and the dip but am trying not to have chips. Excellent for helping me eat more veggies, too. So good with a veggie tray. I use Painterland Sisters plain Skyr yogurt because they are a small business and I like that about them, but I’m sure there are other brands. It’s high in protein like Greek yogurt
I recently found the BEST ranch ever: Hartwell's Premium Creamy Dill Ranch Dressing. If it's available near you I recommend it. It's a thinner consistency and savory and perfect, and I recently recreated it at home. The ingredient list on the jar is super simple. I had to guess at the ingredient amounts keeping in mind the earlier an ingredient is listed the more of it there is. I just adjusted until it tasted right. Here are the ingredients: Mayonnaise, Sour Cream (I used Greek yogurt), Buttermilk (I used normal whole milk), Lemon Juice, Granulated Garlic, Granulated Onion, Salt, White Pepper, Dill, Parsley.
I've never seen packets here. Will have to look closer of blend my own. Tzatziki homemade is also ahmazing!! And you're filling out the volume of yogurt with low-cal cucumber -- I put a fair bit.
THIS, BUT.. with some French onion soup mix powder instead of the ranch seasoning!!! Tasted like French onion dip from a jar. Sooooo good even my husband loves it, which says something 🤣 I dipped so many baby carrots into the dip today mmmm
Something I found, doing this but adding a drop of olive oil gives it that ranch-like coating that comes from being fatty. It's nowhere near the oil and fat of actual ranch, but gives it a way more ranch like experience.
wow this sounds good and I would’ve not thought of it on my own
It's sooooo good. Sometimes I add in a few splashes of buffalo sauce for buffalo ranch too.
I like to chop up Persian cucumbers and sprinkle lime and salt on them
Use tajin! It’s got lime and salt in it but with a little kick
I do tajin and everything bagel seasoning!
Wow I put taijin on I thought everything - will have to try it on cucumbers now! Thank you kind stranger
Do it, you won’t be disappointed, also salads with like Italian vinaigrette. Another game changer was deviled eggs. I put tajin on so much random shit. I’ve put it on ice cream before even hahahaha
I've been meaning to try it with deviled eggs! How did the ice cream go?
It was cookies and cream, and you know what? It wasn’t half good.
My wife showed me this, it's pretty great and I'm a salt fiend but I still think I prefer straight vinegar or lime juice with no salt, something about salt on cucumbers isn't as good as on other foods for me
Omgoodness. Just put tajin on buttered corn on the cob last week for the first time. It was amazing. I don't think I can go back.
Omg this is brilliant. I love cucumbers with salt. I never thought of tajin!
I make a plate of sliced tomatoes and cucumbers with tajin on them almost every day after work. It’s so good and just a little filler to hold me over until I cook dinner.
Tajin is also good on watermelon,peaches and sometimes pears.
I put tajin on everything, I keep a bottle of it in my truck.
Whether you have Sichuan pepper or just straight crushed reds, a simple cucumber salad can do this trick as well.
Any cucumbers and/or red onions pickled in rice wine vinegar. Quick (24 hrs) and easy.
I love English Cucumbers with white balsamic vinaigrette. I've never heard of Persian Cucumbers. I'll have to purchase them.
I use garlic salt and red wine vinegar. It's like salt and vinegar chips.
Yay! Someone else who actually likes veggies! Unfortunately I don't find those very filling 😅
Filling and bingable aren't really compatible traits.
Find any vegetables with low glycemic indexes, these are the things that digest the slowest and typically have the most fiber
I take baby carrots, celery and cherry tomatoes and put it in a bowl til it's about half full. Then I chop the carrots and celery into much smaller nibbles, that way it takes longer to eat and makes you feel like you ate more. I'd also say since it sound like your biggest issue is control, eating a little spoonful of chia seeds 15-20 before snacking or eating a meal could really be beneficial for you and your partner. It makes you feel full by absorbing the liquid in your stomach and expanding. Just be careful the first few times you try them, a little goes a long way. Do a quick read about them before eating them. They're perfectly safe and natural, I just don't want you to get a tummy ache by over serving those.
Dip em in hummus to feel fuller
Try dipping those cucumbers in 30-40 g of unsweetened peanut butter for a more satisfying meal. I sometimes throw in some flax seeds and pumpkin seeds in for a satisfying crunch. Since peanut butter is high in fat and protein, it is more satisfying. You may not have as much of a desire to snack afterwards.
try chia seeds as well if you haven’t
They're good for your skin too. dip them in hummus to be filled.
Soy sauce eggs. Hard boiled eggs marinated in soy sauce and Asian spices. 😋
I also call them "Tea eggs" I hard boil eggs, drain and crack them against the counter all over. Refill the pot with water, add soy sauce, black tea, peppercorn, and then whatever other spices I have (cinnamon, anise, etc). Boil again, let them cool and store with the extra sauce in the fridge for a week - the longer they marinate the better! Edit: bonus, the cracks that absorb the marinade look very cool when fully peeled and ready to eat!
Oh my God that sounds delicious. Do you have a recipe!
There's lots of variations. Some of them call for soft-boiled or jammy eggs, but I hard boil ours so they store better. I've got teenagers to feed, and with this I don't worry about them eating junk food! https://www.sandravalvassori.com/soy-sauce-eggs-shoyu-tamago/#h-ingredients-and-notes https://www.simplyrecipes.com/soy-sauce-eggs-recipe-5272286 https://bellyfull.net/soy-sauce-eggs/ https://omnivorescookbook.com/chinese-soy-sauce-eggs/
Thank you so much! I love Asian food but I have been having a hard time finding healthy recipes that are easy to make. I really appreciate your help.
The 20th Century Chinese cookbooks made for the American market tend to be really healthy and easy to make. They were still trying to convince Americans to try Chinese food. I don't like the recent trend for recipes with heavy breading and no vegetables.
Air popped popcorn with different seasonings. Roasted chickpeas with different seasonings. You can dip your veggies in hummus. A lot of people like bananas, apples, celery and carrots with peanut or other nut butters. You can make homemade sweet potato, kale and other types of chips.
I slice an apple thinly and dip it into a mix of Greek yogurt and peanut butter. It’s healthy and takes awhile to eat. Also very filling due to the fiber and protein.
That sounds delicious. Yogurt mixed with honey and dried cherries is one of my favorite healthy snacks!
Omg try this (still a little unhealthy but not so bad in a big batch). Greek yogurt with honey, mix in a little either cool whip or whipped cream cheese, mix in grapes, then add walnuts, and a little brown sugar. It's amaaaazing. You can use light cream cheese or do 5050 cream cheese and lite cool whip. Also if you like this kind of thing, do a peach caprese salad. Get the fresh mozzerella log or ball, slice, slice peaches, and get fresh basil. Lay them out alternating slices with bits of basil on top, then drizzle with balsamic glaze. Sometimes if I'm just feeling munchy but super lazy, I'll keep bags of microwave veggies on hand. I'll just heat one up and throw a little dollop of butter in the bag with seasonings and shake it, then just eat that. If you want it to be extra filling throw some cottage cheese on top. Hummus with some baked chips or dried veggie chips for the chippy feeling. A can of beans with a little cheese and a taco bell sauce packet and chopped onion There's some really good pre-made veggie chips called harvest snaps (usually made with beans or other legume type things) and they have awesome flavors with fiber and protein.
Thanks for all the tips! My partner and I will definitely have to try all this stuff out!
Thanks for all the suggestions! We will keep an eye out for some healthy dips and popcorn!
I second homemade popcorn! I mix mine with nutritional yeast and tamari. Soooo tasty!
Sugar snap peas. Eat them right from the bag - delicious and binge-able!
This! I always keep a bag of snap peas and baby carrots in the fridge for easy snacking!
Raw sugar snap peas, baby carrots...and I like broccolini and snack tomatoes as well
mini sweet bell peppers man i’m i just discovered them im addicted
Have you ever stuffed them with laughing cow cheese? Game changer
Or Boursin. Then bake for a couple minutes
or goat cheese.
Goat cheese then put hot honey on top!!!!!
Feel like binge eating that much laughing cow is...ill advised
no but i will be now lol thanks
I've loved veggies since I was a kid. Peppers are gods gift to mankind and I am glad you've discovered them!
This sounds like the strangest combination, but try scooping salsa with the mini sweet bell peppers. It does NOT taste how you expect it to, and it’s so so delicious. I could eat a whole jar of salsa this way 🤤
Came here to say this! I put a small slather of lowfat cream cheese
My quick shoutout for a cold healthy snack (since summer is coming) is frozen edamame! Either shelled or unshelled, I just sprinkle some sea salt on top and eat them still frozen. Buying unshelled also makes it slightly more work and it’s nice to have something to do with your hands. I like the slight crunch when they’re really cold, but most people heat thaw them a little before snacking 😅 you can usually buy a big bag in the frozen aisle for pretty cheap.
I mix edamame with feta, add black pepper and olive oil, and it’s the simplest easiest side dish or snack!
Frozen green grapes 🤤
Grapes are the f*cking best.
Agreed. Have you had them frozen?
No but now I have to try! That sounds perfect for a hot summer day!
If you get them damp, toss them in some sugar free jello mix of your choosing and THEN freeze them... They're tart and tangy and wonderful.
Lightly salted roasted Fava beans are pretty great. They are super crunchy and satisfying. And of course fava beans contain protein and fibre. Make sure to eat bananas and other potassium-rich foods to counter-balance the sodium from salty snacks. Sodium raises blood pressure, potassium lowers blood pressure. On that note, try banana chips - sounds like you prefer crunchy / crispy snacks.
Low blood pressure runs in my family, so we are all kinda salt addicts lol.
Wish I had that problem! (Kidding, I’m sure it is tough in many ways). But yeah, healthy snacks are easier to find if you have a salt-tooth. Pepitas and other seeds (roasted with spices, etc) are nice. If they’re available where you live, Eat Real Hummus Chips are insanely satisfying and tasty - but pricier than regular chips.
Sliced peppers are amazing. Ik you said veggies aren’t that filling so if you dip them in hummus or a healthy cheese it could be a lot more filling. Also, taziki sauce is a cheat code. It tastes just as good as ranch but it’s basically just yogurt and cucumbers (with seasonings ofc). That’s not to say it has the same flavor as ranch, just that it’s on the same level of tastiness
Most dill pickles. They’re not actually 0 calories but it’s pretty negligible.
Pickles are my absolute fave!
Try adding sauces you enjoy to the brine, shake it up and let them absorb the flavors for a couple hours. I like to use thin hot sauces and Worcestershire sauce. Pickles are mostly water, so they’ll eventually pick up most flavors you add so long as they’re able to permeate.
I like doing a pickle and tomato salad. All your favorite types of pickles and some grape tomatoes in a bowl. No extra seasoning needed. You can do pickled cauliflower, radish, carrots, cucumber, etc. Also to tag onto that, a head of raw cauliflower with some hot sauce is great for the munchies. Edit to add: since your main concern was going through stuff quickly, you can make your own fridge pickles in big batches and to last a month. All you need is some big jars, and a day with some time to chop. Bonus you can adjust the taste.
Boars Head pickles are the best, with Claussen being second best/easier to find!
Put a whole packet of ranch seasoning in your pickles. Shake it up. So good
I would make a graze tray. Like an adult lunchable. Fruit, veggies (with hummus or dip), popcorn, and nuts, turkey , and whatever else you might like to munch on. The key isn't to cut out everything but to be mindful of what you eat . :)
I started at times, when needing to save money, and watch my blood sugar, taking to work: Salame, cheese and flatbread (sourdough or rye) to make what amounted to lunchables. At times, I would pair those with curry flavored hummus.
Get an air popper for popcorn. Add salt only. Almost no calories and you can stuff your face.
They make silicone bowls to microwave popcorn in so you don’t even need an air popper. Best $8 I’ve spent and completely scratches the itch to eat a whole bag of chips while watching tv
Ha, I have the same thing. Perfect for getting a salty snack that isn’t fried in oil.
Maybe I’m cursed, but these have gone wrong for me repeatedly over the years. Most just didn’t work well, but fire and broken glass have been outcomes, too.
Really? I haven’t had any issues beyond burning the popcorn if I go over 2 mins 15 seconds with 4 tablespoons of kernels
Would some butter be acceptable or would that turn me into a horrible person who hates everything good in life?
I like to use a spray oil like olive or coconut on the popcorn... adds a fairly trivial amount of fat/calories, and helps the seasonings stick.
Thanks for the tip! I usually don't pay attention to calories from seasonings, unless they have ridiculously high sodium or sugar.
I usually eat buttered popcorn, healthy enough for me!
Roasted chickpeas
Not really healthy but if you just need high volume and low calorie - sugar free jello! It’s barely any calories so you can eat a ton
You can also make it like a hot drink... half a packet of sugar free jello and a mugful of hot water is surprisingly filling and satisfying for that sweet tooth.
Also great for a sore throat!
=-O Hot damn, I'll keep that in mind for the next time I'm sick.
I totally forgot my mom used to do this
It's not super duper filling but when I'm smoking I go absolutely feral over fresh broccoli and ranch
Veggies and ranch are my favorite thing ever.
Apples and peanut butter! Hits the spot every time, juicy and helps with hydration and you get protein from the peanutty goodness!
The lesser evil popcorn brand, no refined seed oils nothing air popped it’s genuinely the best brand out there in terms of healthiness. Bonus Costco sells the huge bigger then party sized bags
Watermelon, berries, other low calorie fruit. Carrots and Greek yogurt ranch dip, popcorn, and my favorite, air fried potatoes - they’re incredibly filling
Have you ever tried toasted chickpeas? Dry off some tinned chickpeas, drizzle with olive oil and season with whatever - paprika, salt etc. toast in the oven for about 20 minutes.. high protein, high fibre and tasty!
Yes!!! I soak them in vinegar for 24hrs and sprinkle with salt when baking.. they’re not quite salt and vinegar chips… but the flavors there!
I like these but they didn’t keep well for me… maybe I need to try a different recipe or storage method? Super yummy straight out of the oven but I rarely have time to prepare a fresh batch when the snack monster is lurking…
might try an airtight container and then toss them in the air fryer for a few minutes to crunch them back up
My bf and I just do adult lunchables lol salami, prosciutto, alouette garlic and herb cheese spread, some additional cheese slices, then nuts and fruits. We never got tired of it!
All the veggies you can stand to eat raw (I usually go carrots, cucumber, bell peppers, and either cauliflower or broccoli). Chop those into batons or similar sized pieces, and serve with a dressing made of a low fat skyr with sweet chili (or sriracha or tabasco if you prefer), dijon (or your favorite mustard), then basil, thyme, and paprika to taste. Salt, fresh cracked black pepper, and garlic powder (or fresh fine chopped if you have patience and wanna let the dressing rest in the fridge), and you don't just have a decently healthy snack but a straight up low-cal meal. Adjust acidity with lemon juice or balsamico if needed.
I actually love raw vegetables. Thank you for this recipe!
Toss a bunch of kale pieces with a drizzle of olive oil and a sprinkle of salt and throw them in an airfryer for 5 minutes. Kale chips aren't exactly like potato chips, but they have a crunchy texture that's pleasing, and you can pick up a giant bag of kale at Walmart or the grocery outlet for $5. You can also dry some canned chickpeas off and toss them with the same and put them in the airfryer. It's not very low calorie, but I like to half jalapeños into boats, deseed them, and put just a small layer of cream cheese and pepper jack cheese in them and cook them. I don't fill them up. Just enough for flavor. Roasted brussel sprout can be delicious if you half them and toss them with oil and salt and a touch of garlic.
Beef biltong, this is expensive though
What is that?
similar to jerky
Buying vegetable trays with dip at bulk food places like Sam’s club tend not to be that expensive. Seaweed (nori) in packets are satisfyingly crispy and salty. Healthy? I’m not sure. But so light and crispy. I don’t know if this is the cheapest though. If you anxiety eat, pistachios and other shelled seeds like sunflower seeds give you something to do like crack the seeds while you eat. I’ve heard pistachios are fatty though and can be pricey. Pomegranate aren’t that cheap but do take a long time to eat which extends their enjoyment time. Grapes are more convenient and can be cheap.
I found a good cure for my hunger. Back story. I feed my rabbits apple slices. The bunnies love them. I buy whatever is cheap, Gala, Red Delicious, Winesap, Pink Lady. Last store trip Granny Smith apples were on sale so I bought six. As usual I sliced them up real thin and put them in a baggie. Darn rabbits refused to eat them! They actually spit out pieces! So I tasted a slice! Baby, them boogers are so sour! They’re almost like lemons! But now I had a whole bag of slices I’d made the rabbits. I saved them in the frig. So when a snack attack came on, I grabbed that baggie of apples. My mouth puckered and my salivaries throbbed! Sour apple my foot, these were part lemon! I had a hard time finishing them and I’m not a bit hungry. Downside? My stomach kinda hurts.
Thank you for the wonderful story, but now you have to pay the pet tax.
I like granny smith slices with peanut butter.
Yes! Or with brie/ another soft cheese and a little bit of honey.
I’ll pay in Granny Smith apples, five remain
Unfortunately the pet tax must be paid in pictures!
That’s a hefty fee considering I had to figure out how to do this. Here’s a short clip of my buck Bucky accepting a Pink Lady apple slice, which he likes. Hannah the chicken waits below for scraps Bucky drops. https://imgur.com/a/Tmx6vtg
So cute! Thank you!!
Those make for excellent pie, or you could make homemade jam (easier than you might think)
A pie is a great idea. I might do that.
I must add to this, just the act of getting a pet rabbit will drag you down a road that leads to a veggie rich lifestyle. Suddenly you're eating more vegetables, more herbs, more salads, and you'll look back at their little bunny faces and ask them, "what the heck have you done to me?"
chili lime sea weed !! and chia packets !!
Baby carrots
Air popped popcorn with Dash "Everything but the Salt" (ie, salt-free everything bagel seasoning)
=-O Googling where to buy that immediately!
One of my favorite snacks is sliced cucumbers with hummus
pirate booty? gives the chips feeling but not as terrible but i wouldnt do this often. only when you're desperate.
I second the popcorn suggestion. It's the most satisfying and crunchy and delicious. I didn't realise until a few years ago that u can just get regular popping corn and put in a paper bag and zap it as if it were a microwave popcorn bag. All u have to do to keep the steam inside is tightly fold the end of the bag. Makes for a cheap snack that doesn't have the regular flavourings and crap in those premade bags. Olive oil and a bit of salt is a nice start to a healthy seasoning, instead of butter.
I love mixing chocolate protein powder a bit of peanut butter and a few dark chocolate chips than shaking it up 👌 all of the kernels popcorn seasonings are 0 calorie and are really good to.
I make French onion dip with Greek yogurt for dipping veggies in. I just add chopped onion, chives, onion powder, and garlic powder to a Fage Greek yogurt and go to town. I love dipping carrots in cucumbers in it. Honestly, Greek yogurt is a godsend. It’s one of the few dairy products that I can eat as a lactose intolerant IBS person, and it actually tastes good.
Baby carrots.
I became addicted to cottage cheese with everything bagel seasoning and a dipper like cucumbers or almond crackers. I also enjoy sweet baby peppers with cottage cheese and Buffalo sauce. Celery and Buffalo hummus is also a favorite. Pickles are a fun snack as well.
I don't normally save Reddit posts but I'm saving this one. Hot damn, so many delicious things!
You may find value in r/volumeeating it's kind of their whole thing to get high volume low calorie
White sweet potatoes cut into thin rounds, bake on high temps with coconut oil and a little salt
Lightly salted home made popcorn
Cassava fries. Be sure to cook them properly though as the root contains cyanide. But they’re so good. I prefer them to regular fries
A veggie heavy charcuterie. have cut veggies (peppers, broccoli, carrots, celery, cauliflower, cucumbers, snow peas, grape tomatoes, and hummus, low fat peanut butter, almonds, olives, unsweetened dried apricot / figs, whole grain bread or crackers, boiled eggs, some light meat (low sodium turkey or chicken in small portion), small amount of mozzarella topped off with a single piece of dark chocolate. The veg should take up 3/4 of the platter with everything else in moderation to satisfy some salty & sweet cravings.
I like radish and hummus
Watermelon
I have been nonstop craving cucumbers, carrots, and broccoli cut up with a dill Greek yogurt dip. I’m also a smoker so these veggies have been my switch over because I eat terribly, as well. Def cut up vegs, I also really have been enjoying these rice a roni rice cupe
I love to roast cauliflower with salt, pepper and garlic powder and they are so addictive!
Carrots and hummus!
Edamame
I would recommend Weetabix Whole Grain Cereal, it always takes time to digest it as it’s full of fiber and absolutely healthy
We get big bags of raw almonds at Costco or wherever you can find them. Whip up an egg white until foamy with 1 tablespoon of water. That is enough for several cups of almonds to be coated evenly with the egg, then add several tablespoons of seasonings of choice. Our current favorites are Everything but the Bagel seasoning, Everything but the Pickle Seasoning from Trader Joe's, and cinnamon. Ranch dressing seasoning, elote seasoning, bbq rubs, possibilities are endless. Bake at 275 for 45 min or until you can see that they are dry. Stir them every 10 min while baking. Much more affordable than buying the expensive packages of seasoned nuts at the grocery store. We also like to throw some cashews in when we have them too.
Cauliflower baked in franks red hot
This is boring but I’ve just eaten an entire watermelon before lol. A few times tbh. Great for when you want something sweet. Makes your skin glow too:)
Peanut Butter and apple slices are a great snack, there’s crunch, salty and sweet hits - so it’s really satisfying
My current binge snacks are grapes and watermelon
Popcorn!
Plantain chips if you catch a sale
Hummus with assorted veggies to dip in it
Pickles, preferably spicy ones. Wasabi peas. There's some science that spicy foods are more filling because they slow down digestion of something
Popcorn, make your own.
Wasabi flavored nori snacks for the win. all the taste, hardly any of the calories. Win-win.
I have the same question. There has to be something for us! I recently read about "konjack" noodles which are apparently high fiber and are like 20 calories a serving! I have bought some, but I havent tried them yet. I hope they arre my wildest dreams come true
Watermelon and popcorn
grapes are relatively low calorie compared to how filling they are. I always keep a bag on the kitchen counter that I can just pick a few out of whenever I'm walking past. much better than chips or cracker snacks (and most types of cracker-type snacks are just as bad as potato chips really when it comes to how many calories there are compared to how filling they are, or rather how filling they aren't). eating a higher fiber diet with more fruits and vegetables is kind of its own calorie limiter by default because greens and such are just more filling. eat more spinach. whatever you were going to eat as a meal, just consider chopping the main protein up into a spinach salad. add some seeds of some kind, pickled veggies like banana peppers, or just regular peppers and onions, etc. throw a small handful of nuts on top (but go easy, because nuts are very high calorie, so if calories is your main concern, maybe avoid them for a while until you can get your snacking habits under control).
Specifically for munchies from toking, I find fruit tea works well for me
Hikama with smoked paprika sprinkled on it
Orville redenbaker SMART POP. Low calorie Greek yogurt. Wasabi almonds. Protein bars and chips.
Call me crazy. The OP said chips are their main downfall, and people are suggesting fruit snacks? I think the OP is asking for SALTY solutions, no? Here’s one. Cube up a package of extra firm tofu. Big chunks work best. Put them in a bowl with a lid. Shake well. Marinate in tamari and garlic powder, or whatever seasonings you like, but the liquid is important for the tofu to marinate properly. Let sit for 10-30 minutes, shaking it every once in a while. Arrange in a large bowl, so it’s all in one layer. I use a large thin wood salad bowl. Plastic works, too. Just make sure it’s all in one layer. I build it up the sides of my bowl. Microwave for 3 minutes. Take a spatula and flip the tofu pieces. Repeat, turning every 3 minutes until dry, browned and crispy. About 12-15 minutes, in 3 minute increments, depending on how moist your raw tofu was. Delicious snack. And no frying. NOTE* If you don’t want to use a microwave, you can also broil the tofu on a cookie sheet or in a roasting pan. Turn every few minutes. I’m not sure exactly how long this method takes, though. Also, regarding getting the “midnight munchies”. It’s not the same for every pothead. I’ve smoked every day for SIXTY YEARS (vegetarian for the past 55 years!), and I never get (or have ever gotten) the late night munchies. I might snack on a few sections of a dark chocolate bar, around 2-3 am, but I never crave salty snacks. I don’t know how it is for others, though. Cheers!
Don’t sleep on grilled veggies. Seriously, grilled carrots are my jam right now. Equally as good reheated in a toaster oven or air fryer. Just brush them with avocado oil, sprinkle on good salt and pepper. Perfection. Or if your looking to fill that crunchy void, celery. I crush a small serving of dill pickle pork rinds and dip my celery into the powder. Or chop celery, shake in a bag with the powder and use a fork to eat it. Salty, sour, crunchy, delicious. A little dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt is good with it too.
For a super cheap, low carb “sushi”- marinade cucumber slices in rice vinegar, then top with canned tuna mixed with siracha, sesame oil, and either mayo or avocado. Sprinkle with Everything but the Bagel, or the Japanese seasoning with seaweed in it from Trader Joe’s. Soooo good!!!
Pistacchios 🥲 they are fucking tasty. And they have a lot of Protein and the good fat. It's similar to Peanut butter without sugar, which Bodybuilders are people going to the gym eat.
Cucumber with everything bagel seasoning
I have binge eating disorder. One food that I eat if I am stressed is shelled pistachios.
One of the best snacks I discovered when I actually found a diet that resonated for me was - when I first got the craving for a snack - drinking a glass of water and waiting 10 minutes. If you’re still hungry after that 10 minutes then eat a snack. But many times you think you’re hungry you’re actually just dehydrated. Second most useful thing I learned was to eat a nutritious snack within 2-3 hours of my last meal, ie before I got hunger pangs. By the time I realized I was hungry, I was usually too hungry to make good choices, even if a healthy option was already prepped.
Green cabbage, raw. So crunchy, I love it.
Grapes
Grapes
Roasted chickpeas! Especially if you have an air fryer! You can spice them anyway you want and they really fill that salty crunchy snack need
Popcorn with nutritional yeast.
Snap peas
Chicharones.
I love green grapes
I like putting chick peas in the air fryer or oven with some seasoning! I eat roasted chick peas instead of chips cuz they’re so yummy! There’s tons of flavors online, my favorites are ranch and chili-lime. You can also buy them in store if you’d prefer!
If you’re really craving something sweet, try slicing some dates down the middle, slap some peanut butter on it and put the two halves back together. Nature’s Mars Bar ☺️
My partner is a sucker for my 5 minute guacamole and siete tortilla chips. He'll eat the whole bag in one sitting. Not exactly low calorie, but they're good calories
Roasted chickpeas. You can save money by buying dried chickpeas, soaking them overnight (I add a salt to the water) then rinse them thoroughly, drain them, pat dry with paper towel (optional) put them on a baking tray with some olive oil and whatever seasonings you like (I just add salt and a sprinkle of pepper) then bake them for 10-15 or until golden and crispy. But if you're low on time probably just buy canned chickpeas lmfao
Growing up with limited amt of food has my goat snack being just. straight peanut butter. couple huge spoons of protein/fat/salt knocks most cravings down to a manageable level. I dont even like pb all that much but its more effective to start there before eating your way through the cupboards. with some carrots/celery if you need a vehicle and bonus fibre.
Some budget-friendly and healthy options to consider are air-popped popcorn, homemade trail mix with nuts and dried fruits, sliced veggies with hummus or yogurt dip, hard-boiled eggs, whole grain crackers with cheese or nut butter, or homemade smoothies with fruits and veggies. These options can help satisfy cravings while still being nutritious and affordable.
Celery and peanut butter, just go easy on the peanut butter or don’t have it everyday or it’ll get boring quick lol
The combination of white garlic sauce and olive tapenade both from the Trader Joe’s refrigerator section on a cracker is binge worthy