Low Cal Healthy/Convenient Snack Food

[firerescuefin]

The Good:

Decided late in the game that I would do some racing this year. Found a great group of local guys that formed a team...that doesn't take itself to seriously...and trains close to home.

The bad: I need to drop 15-20 lbs. Exercising or the desire to is not the problem. But my body (especially my stomach) the first 3-4 days into my diet has been telling me "are you f-ing kidding me".

Any favorites (low cal/ healthy convenient snack foods)...remember I work 12-16 hour shifts and have 2 kids and 1 on the way...so convenient/easily prepared/procured is a must.

Thanks,

Geoff

[oldpotatoe]

Originally Posted by firerescuefin

The Good:

Decided late in the game that I would do some racing this year. Found a great group of local guys that formed a team...that doesn't take itself to seriously...and trains close to home.

The bad: I need to drop 15-20 lbs. Exercising or the desire to is not the problem. But my body (especially my stomach) the first 3-4 days into my diet has been telling me "are you f-ing kidding me".

Any favorites (low cal/ healthy convenient snack foods)...remember I work 12-16 hour shifts and have 2 kids and 1 on the way...so convenient/easily prepared/procured is a must.

Thanks,

Geoff

I'm just now starting the diet grind..been a long winter at the bike shop. Apples and bananas, drink lots of water..I get Pelligrino, 'Con Gas'..chew sugarless gum...drink less beer....BING BING BING-

[Vientomas]

Fresh fruit and water.

[echelon_john]

Hard boiled eggs wit salt, pepper and maybe a little mustard or hot sauce are actually pretty filling/satisfying. Obviously not for the cholesterol-concerned, but otherwise they can help. Make 'em ahead; they last a week in the fridge, travel well, etc.

I've had good luck eating lots of broth-based soups, especially for dinner. Easy way to still feel satisfied but relatively low-cal, and can be made days/weeks ahead and microwaved.

Rice cakes with almond butter are another great snack. As long as you don't go crazy with the almond butter, you can have 2 rice cakes with the stuff and be around 300 calories, and be filled up for a while.

TONS of water. Seltzer's good too. Tea is good for filling an empty stomach and giving a lift without coffee jitters.

It's a battle for sure. A few riding buddies have used 'LoseIt'; a free app available for iPhone/iPod/Pad. Pretty good calories in/out tracking; good food database for both ingredients for homecooked and packaged stuff, which you shouldn't be eating anyway if you want to lose weight. Check it out.

[pbarry]

Raw pumpkin seeds from Natural Grocers or WF. Considered to be a superfood for men. Loaded with anitoxidants, zinc, manganese, and protein. I eat a few handfuls a day-- good clean fuel.

[firerescuefin]

Good thoughts everyone...definitely will go get some of those pumpkin seeds....

keep em comin!

[skijoring]

Geoff, apples are a great snack. Load of fiber that will make you feel full. Fruit satisfies!

[pbarry]

Are you based at the station during the shift? Roller or trainer riding would be awesome. I've got a set of 4.5 rollers you can have.

[AngryScientist]

natures snacks - fresh fruit.

apples, bananas and oranges, clementines. all great snacks.

[67-59]

+1 on fresh fruit and water.

I also like lowfat yogurt. Depending on the brand, many of the calories are in the form of protein, which helps keep you full. And if you get plain or vanilla, you can add your own fresh fruit. You can also cut the calories further by getting nonfat.

[MattTuck]

Kind bars.

http://www.kindsnacks.com/

[Louis]

Raw whole carrots and pita chips.

[MadRocketSci]

not a snack, but pho or ramen (not the instant kind) for dinner....drink all the broth. then drink some plain water to dilute the salt...you won't be able to pack anything else down there until after the 15-20 minutes your endocrine system figures out that you're full.

[cycle_chic]

Fresh fruit for sure, but if you feel like having something else for a snack, I suggest Larabars. They have no additives/preservatives/strange ingredients. Just simple ingredient combinations (ie. dates and cashews) that keep me full for a while.

[veggieburger]

+1 on the Larabars.

Keep away from the white sugar, white flour and beer, ride your bike, and the weight should fall off.