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When a meal is not in your immediate sight, and you need something to eat to tide you over until then, what's your favorite "go-to" snack? And, as a corollary, how many calories (approximately) does it need to contain to leave you comfortably full, but not so full that it ruins your dinner (or lunch)?

I envy people who are happy with a piece of fruit, or maybe a container of yogurt; neither of those would ever do the job for me. Also, when did 100 calories become the norm for snacking? I see lists like this one: http://trib.in/ABJEie all the time, as well as those "snack-packs" in the store, and just shake my head, as none of these would leave me happy but definitely would leave me with a dull, throbbing hunger headache within 30 minutes to an hour.

My dilemma lately is that I wander around the store, looking for something tasty, and nothing appeals, even if I'm hungry when I go shopping. I am definitely in a food rut!

So, to wrap this up, I'm looking for suggestions for tasty and filling snacks. As far as I know, I don't have any health issues (diabetes, gluten intolerance, etc.) that would preclude particular kinds of foods. I do suffer with migraines, but as far as I can tell, I don't have any food triggers.

Thanks for any and all suggestions!

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"When I'm born I'm a Tar Heel bred, and when I die I'm a Tar Heel dead."

I've picked up a new routine in the afternoon. I'll usually have a piece of fruit at around 3pm (generally an apple or a banana) and then something more protein heavy around 4:30 or so (granola/fruit and nut bar, salmon or turkey jerky, maybe some cheese). For the protein-based snack I try to keep calories to 200 or less, but I'm also looking for stuff that's going to be at least 7g of protein. That combination usually gets me through my post-work run and straight through to dinner at 7 or 8pm.

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-Josh

An amuse bouche at breakfast is called a Bloody Mary - Scott Manlin

For packaged treats, I like Clif Kid Zbars (mmm, s'mores), Rice Krispie Treats - the plain are filling and low in fat - and pretzels with a few M&Ms thrown in. Fig Newtons (or Matt's Cookes Fig Bars, or TJ's) are also very satisfying.

For homemade (or at least home-combined): hummus with tortilla chips, pita chips, King's Hawaiian Rolls, or toasts; hard-boiled eggs either lightly deviled or dressed¹; quick bhel puri². Happy snacking; I'm in that territory some weeks, and others I eat like a snake.

¹Capers or olives and mustard make the yolks require very little mayo, or you can use olive oil or even mash or top with avocado; I also sometimes eat halved eggs with dark soy and pickled ginger.
²For the chaat, one baggie of Rice Krispies, Crispix, or Rice Chex toasted (or even just tossed) with Penzeys garam masala, incorporate cashews, pistachios, or peanuts if you like; one baggie of chopped cilantro, cucumber (tomato was too wet), and shallot; combine and apply whatever packets or jars of chutney you can store handily.

Lately I keep a self-made mix of nuts around (peanuts, cashews and almonds) and have a handful (sometimes a generous handful) in the afternoon. It's high in fats, but the "good" fats, and high in protein; in any case, it fills me up, in a way that doesn't seem totally bad for me.

Cheese!

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I want to have a good body, but not as much as I want dessert. ~ Jason Love
There is no pie in Nighthawks, which is why it's such a desolate image. ~ Happy Stomach
I can't go to Hollywood. I got biscuits to make. ~ Dwight Henry

Late-Nite Eats Database

I'll second cheese! All kinds!

I take 4-8 low fat triscuits, and keep low fat sharp cheddar slices, then I can just fold into four squares. Satisfies the fiber and salt need for me. I'm not much of a sweets eater. I'll eat a handful of nuts or a KIND plus bar, at work. I do admit, I keep Trader Joe's power berries, or yogurt covered raisins, in my drawer in case of sweet emergency.

I'm pretty reliant on greek yogurt to cure inter-meal hunger. The nonfat chobani stuff I get is filling (I get a good 3-4 hours per 6oz cup), tangy, and fairly low in calories (edit: 140 per cup).

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Ed Fisher
my chicago food photos

RIP LTH.

Donuts... Chocolate donuts.

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Steve Z.
Photographer/Pseudojournalist

"The only time to eat diet food is while you’re waiting for the steak to cook." - Julia Child

It's rare that I snack, but when I do, it's wasabi peas.

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Chicago Craft Beer Week!

Any of the following - greek yoghurt (I'm a fan of Chobani too), handful of almonds, two or three falafel (I buy these by the dozen & keep them in the fridge), couple of pieces of dhokla or an idli if I have some on hand, couple of spoons of hummous & some corn chips, couple of slices of cheese & some fruit.

That reminds me. I was just introduced to edamame, and they're addictive and healthy, assuming you don't add too much salt.

I also like to get the raw peas they carry in grocery stores on the foam trays. They have a sticker that says in order to cook them, you just drop them into boiling water for 5 minutes, but I just eat them out of hand.

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I want to have a good body, but not as much as I want dessert. ~ Jason Love
There is no pie in Nighthawks, which is why it's such a desolate image. ~ Happy Stomach
I can't go to Hollywood. I got biscuits to make. ~ Dwight Henry

Late-Nite Eats Database

What I would love to snack on but rarely have on hand is hummus and pita, or guac and tortilla chips. I really do love potato chips and would love to snack on them. Realistically, cheese and cracker, raisin, or a few prunes. these I always have in the house. Of course I would love cookies or chocolate donuts too. I love bad things...that is my downfall.

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Toria

"I like this place and willingly could waste my time in it" - As You Like It,
W. Shakespeare

Hummus and celery or Ak-mak crackers. Ak-mak with cheese. Apple slices with peanut butter. Roasted unsalted almonds. A KIND bar. For me, a mix of fiber, protein and fat -- all about 200 calories-- is the key. Sugar or simple carbs make me hungrier. KIND bars are amazing. Eat slowly and savor. Have a cup of tea with it.

(Last year I lost 20 lbs, and figuring out the afternoon munchies was very important. Too much and you spoil dinner; too little and you lose control at dinner.)

I love edamame and fresh fruit, but when I have a craving for something crunchy, I turn to Somersault Snacks. They are totally addictive, and I don't feel too bad snacking on 'em since they have so much fiber and protein. I've tried all their flavors and I think I like the sea salt and cinnamon flavors best.

I'm not much of a snacker but I do enjoy settling down on the couch with some aged cheddar, pretzels and a link of kabanos.

Josh,

I am definitely considering the jerky idea. My only experience with this foodstuff is seeing it for sale at convenience store counters in the south, where I would stop in to buy gas and purchase a pack of smokes (the "bad old days," for sure). I recently found out that my local butcher shop, Devon Avenue Meats, makes their own jerky, so I am going to swing by and talk to Vince the butcher.

Sharon

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"When I'm born I'm a Tar Heel bred, and when I die I'm a Tar Heel dead."

That should be great. I usually stick with the turkey jerky from Trader Joe's. We went to Alaska this summer and I discovered the joys of salmon jerky, so when we got home I ordered a huge box of the stuff. Of course, depending on what you actually get you should keep an eye on the sodium. Some stuff is much higher in sodium than others, so you need to be careful about making this an everyday snack.

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-Josh

An amuse bouche at breakfast is called a Bloody Mary - Scott Manlin

Well, I just learned something -- had to look up kabanos! They sound tasty. Will have to look for some next time I'm at Fresh Farms in Niles.

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"When I'm born I'm a Tar Heel bred, and when I die I'm a Tar Heel dead."

Andy's Deli used to have these.

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I want to have a good body, but not as much as I want dessert. ~ Jason Love
There is no pie in Nighthawks, which is why it's such a desolate image. ~ Happy Stomach
I can't go to Hollywood. I got biscuits to make. ~ Dwight Henry

Late-Nite Eats Database

They still do...and darned good ones at that.

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Steve Z.
Photographer/Pseudojournalist

"The only time to eat diet food is while you’re waiting for the steak to cook." - Julia Child

If I were wearing a hat right now, I would certainly give a tip of it to everyone who has replied so far -- all of you definitely have stronger constitutions than I do! I am perusing the websites for KIND snacks, ak-mak crackers and the other snack food that was mentioned -- those were some good leads for me.

It still is obvious to me, though, that I seem to require more calories than the average bear per snack to make it through until mealtime. Should I ever be lucky enough to have health insurance again, a consultation with a nutritionist or dietician might be in order!

Thanks to everyone who has posted already!

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"When I'm born I'm a Tar Heel bred, and when I die I'm a Tar Heel dead."

Cheese is my favorite food, but it would take a lot to fill me up. Look for foods high in fiber. Combine protein and fiber to help you feel full for a longer period of time. You could combine popcorn with some of the above ideas. I like Greek yogurt too. You might try a small whole wheat pita and some hummus with a handful of carrots. Oatmeal and walnuts (though not as quick and easy as above ideas). Bananas will help to fill you up too.

2 low-fat graham crackers spread w/ about a tablespoon of natural (no fat/sugar added,) peanut butter topped with sliced banana.

I'm also a Greek yogurt fan, but have to admit that I'm a huge sucker for the much higher calorie Liberte Apple Crumble Yogurt and indulge in that more often than I should.

my snacking has changed with age, maybe because of natural survival instinct

teenager - container of Merkt's cheese in microwave and Fritos scoops and/or tortilla chips as delivery system

late 30's - wasa crackers w/sardines and hot sauce

Ak-maks are sold at Whole Foods, and you sometimes have to search for them -- it is a yellow and turquoise box. If you get there right after me, I may have bought all of them, they don't seem to stock very many. They have more fiber and fewer calories than many crackers, but are incredibly delicious. KIND bars are sold at Starbucks, but are somewhat cheaper I think at Whole Foods -- which means not really cheap at all, but worth it. But what I found when I was being very disciplined for awhile was that what I ate made a huge difference -- I could eat 1000 calories of chips and want more, or I could have 200 calories of fat, protein and fiber (nuts, hummus and crackers, etc.) with a cup of tea and feel fine. It helps a lot to eat slowly and pay attention to what you are eating when you are only eating a small snack; if it is wolfed down while you are working or reading or whatever, it is not as satisfying. Also, I have never been a big sugar-avoider, but if you have a sugary snack mid-afternoon, you will be hungry again soon after. I was kind of scientifically devoted to getting just the right afternoon snack, for awhile, until I lost my focus...

The best place to buy Kind bars IMO is Vitamin Shoppe - they have a good selection of flavors, including the 12 pack boxes for less than $20 on sale. If you go through a lot of these its worth ordering them from VS online - they do free ship with a $25 purchase.

Hi Judy,

I was in Trader Joe's this evening, and lo and behold -- Ak-Mak crackers! I studied every word on the box, and ended up not buying them. I did not note the price. I'm not quite sure why I didn't make the purchase.

As far as eating slowly, well, I am quite possibly the world's slowest eater! So that is not an issue. I also don't seem to have much of a sweet tooth these days. About the only added sugar I use is in my morning coffee (I no longer use artificial sweeteners in beverages, though I will consume a Coke Zero from time to time.)

What you wrote about the combination of different food categories is probably the best way to go for me. I do like hummus and nuts.

Thanks for all the tips and suggestions!

Sharon

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"When I'm born I'm a Tar Heel bred, and when I die I'm a Tar Heel dead."

I don't know if I would have bought Ak-Mak crackers if I had read the box first, either. I had them on an airplane, and was then astonished to find out that they were healthy. Also, I love sesame, so that's clearly part of why I like them.

a handful of almonds or walnuts is the perfect mid-morning snack for me. In the afternoon, I crave a little sugar, so it could be a piece of dark chocolate with peanut butter or a piece of fruit or some granola.

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You can't unfry things, Jerri.