Comfort food but healthy? These snacks are low in calories

There are plenty of snacks that feel like comfort food, but are relatively low in calories at the same time. From something sweet at the tea to a savory snack for the couch: these are the tasty options you want to have on hand when you're in the mood to snack.

Popcorn

A movie night without popcorn? That just can't happen. Good news: popcorn that you make yourself with a little oil or without oil can be a great light snack. A serving of about 20 grams of plain popcorn contains around 75 to 80 calories. Want some extra flavor? Then add some paprika powder, cinnamon, or a pinch of sea salt. This way, you still get that cinema feel, but just enjoy it at home.

Frozen yogurt with fruit

Craving ice cream, but prefer something lighter? Then frozen yogurt with fruit is a good option. Mix low-fat Greek yogurt with strawberries, blueberries, or raspberries and place the mixture in the freezer. You can also make small yogurt bites by spreading the mixture over baking paper. Let it set for a bit and you have a refreshing, sweet snack. Depending on the yogurt and toppings, a serving contains about 100 to 150 calories.

Apple with cinnamon

Sometimes you just crave something sweet. An apple with cinnamon is a very tasty and healthy option. Cut the apple into wedges, sprinkle some cinnamon over it, and heat them for a few minutes in the oven or microwave. The result? Warm, soft apple that somewhat resembles apple pie, but without the dough and that amount of sugar and butter. A medium-sized apple contains about 80 to 100 calories.

Dark chocolate

Chocolate lovers, take note: you really don't have to completely eliminate chocolate if you want to snack more consciously. A few squares of dark chocolate can be just enough to satisfy your sweet tooth. Two squares totaling 10 grams contain an average of about 55 to 60 calories, depending on the cocoa percentage and brand. Combine them with some strawberries if you want to make it something special.

Edamame beans

Prefer something savory? Edamame beans are not only tasty, but also contain protein and fiber. Boil or steam them briefly and add a little sea salt or chili flakes. A serving of 100 grams of shelled edamame contains about 120 to 140 calories. Ideal for when you want something that fills you up much more than a handful of chips.

Banana ice cream

This is one to remember for warm days, but also for all the moments when you just feel like ice cream. Cut a ripe banana into slices, freeze them, and then blend them into a creamy mixture. You don't need cream or added sugar to achieve a soft, ice-like texture. A medium-sized banana contains about 100 to 110 calories. Want to mix it up? Go wild and add some cocoa powder for a delicious chocolate flavor.

Cucumber with hummus

A bowl of chips is nice, but sometimes you just feel like combining it with a dip. Cut a cucumber into sticks and serve with a few tablespoons of hummus. The cucumber provides a fresh bite and the hummus makes it a bit creamier and heartier. With 100 grams of cucumber and about 30 grams of hummus, you end up with around 80 to 100 calories, depending on the hummus you use.

Rice cakes with peanut butter

A rice cake might not immediately sound like comfort food, but with a thin layer of peanut butter, it suddenly becomes a whole different story. Choose a plain rice cake and spread about a teaspoon of peanut butter on it. Together, you end up with about 65 to 85 calories. Craving something sweeter? Add a few slices of banana. Just keep in mind that the calories will increase a bit.

Yogurt with strawberries

A bowl of strawberries with yogurt may be simple, but that's exactly what makes it so nice. The strawberries provide a fresh, sweet flavor and the yogurt makes it nice and creamy. For example, take 150 grams of strawberries with 100 grams of low-fat Greek yogurt. Depending on the yogurt, this contains about 90 to 120 calories. Extra delicious with a bit of vanilla extract or cinnamon.

Hot chocolate

Comfort food doesn't always have to be something you chew on. Sometimes you just want to curl up on the couch with a warm mug. Make hot chocolate with low-fat milk and unsweetened cocoa powder, and optionally add a little sugar or sweetener. A mug of 200 milliliters contains, depending on the ingredients, about 90 to 120 calories. Perfect for an evening when you're in the mood for something warm and sweet.

Oven fries from sweet potato

Craving fries? Cut a sweet potato into thin strips, season them with paprika powder, and bake them in the oven or air fryer with a little oil. This way, you get a savory snack with a nice crispy edge. Keep in mind that sweet potato doesn't necessarily contain fewer calories than regular potato; especially the portion size and the amount of oil make a difference. Serve with a yogurt dip with garlic for extra flavor.

Healthy snacking without denying yourself everything

The most important thing to remember: you don't have to make every snack as low in calories as possible to eat healthily. Chocolate, chips, or an ice cream can also fit perfectly into a balanced diet. But if you often crave something tasty and are looking for lighter alternatives? Then these snacks are a nice way to mix things up. Choose something you really crave, because enjoying food can just be enjoying food.

Image: instagram |ssophiaquintero