1. Cashew-Strawberry Crunch Think of this as a gourmet cook's PB & J. Spread 1 tablespoon of cashew butter on a slice of Ryvita Fruit Crunch. (Or substitute peanut butter and Triscuits.) Drizzle with ½ tablespoon honey and top with sliced strawberries.
Health bonus: Nut butters are full of heart-healthy monounsaturated fats.Ann Stratton2. One-Minute Antipasto Plate Roll a thin slice of prosciutto or ham around a part-skim mozzarella string cheese. Eat with a few olives and grapes, or add roasted bell peppers (from a jar) drizzled with balsamic vinegar.
Health bonus: Contains almost a quarter of a woman's 1,000-milligram recommended daily allowance for calcium.
(MORE: 3 Gourmet Sandwich Recipes)Ann Stratton3. Pineapple and Pistachios Combine about ¼ cup dried pineapple pieces with about 25 pistachio nuts. (For a treat, use chile-lime pistachio nuts, available at specialty stores.) Other winning dried-fruit-and-nut combos: raisins and peanuts, apricots and almonds, cherries and hazelnuts.
Health bonus: Pineapple and nuts are both good sources of antioxidants.Ann Stratton4. Cottage Cheese and Apples Slice an apple, such as Fuji or Granny Smith, and top with ½ cup of low-fat cottage cheese (look for 4-ounce four-packs from Breakstone). Or replace the fresh apple with two drained cinnamon-spiced apple rings, such as Musselman's (which can be found in the canned-fruit aisle).
Health bonus: Provides protein, calcium, and fiber.
(MORE: 3 Easy Halloween Cupcakes)Ann Stratton5. Cheese Melt Spread ½ teaspoon of spicy mustard on a cocktail-size slice of thin whole-grain rye bread. Add a thin square of sharp Cheddar (about the same size as the bread) and broil until the cheese melts, then top with a slice of tomato and a sprinkling of caraway seeds.
Health bonus: Rich in calcium.Ann Stratton6. Parmesan Pita Crisps Sprinkle 2 tablespoons of grated Parmesan evenly over a 4-inch whole-wheat pita. Dust pita with ¼ teaspoon dried oregano and broil until the cheese browns. Cut into quarters.
Health bonus: Good balance of protein, fat, and fiber.
(MORE: 12 Easy Snacks for Kids)Ann Stratton7. Creamy Feta-Walnut Dip Place 2 cups plain nonfat yogurt in a sieve lined with a coffee filter. Let stand in the refrigerator for 1 hour or overnight. Discard the liquid and spoon the thickened yogurt into a small bowl. Add ¾ cup (3 ounces) crumbled Feta cheese, 2 cloves minced garlic, 2 tablespoons finely chopped toasted walnuts, ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, and ¼ teaspoon hot sauce. Mix well. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours to allow the flavors to blend. Makes 1½ cups. Pair Feta-Walnut Dip with cherry tomatoes, a whole-wheat pita, or baby carrots.
Health bonus: An easy way to get calcium, protein, and monounsaturated fat.Ann Stratton8. Edamame Grab a handful of frozen shelled soybeans and run them under steaming-hot water for a quick thaw. For a tangy twist, add a spritz of lemon.
Health bonus: Contains 8 grams of fiber and lots of cholesterol-lowering soy protein.
(MORE: 10 Easy Kale Recipes)Ann Stratton9. Fresh Vegetables With Dressing Slice a cucumber into strips and place on a plate with baby carrots or baby corn. Dip in a lower-fat dressing, such as Annie's Naturals Roasted Red Pepper Vinaigrette or Trader Joe's Carrot-Ginger.
Health bonus: Fiber-rich and very low-calorie.
(MORE: Which Halloween Candy Is Healthier?)Ann Stratton
