Giuliana Rancic's Red Carpet Snacks
Posted on Feb 25th 2011 1:00PM by Giuliana Rancic
JPI Studios
Sure, it may seem easy, but it can be tricky at times. Don't let Betty White fool you -- that lady can move. Not to mention, there's all that nervousness about asking the right questions -- you don't want to ask Ashlee Simpson how her husband is doing or ask Li-Lo where she picked up her jewelry.
Anyway, the point is that the big night can build up a big appetite!
But when my stomach is screaming beefy, cheesy nachos, my Spanx are screaming lemon water. And unless Lady Gaga is wearing a dress made of cucumbers and zucchini, it can be tough finding a healthy but satisfying snack.
Luckily, I've found a few great skinny snacks over the years -- stuff that fills you up without filling you out! I keep these healthy, single-serving, low-cal, protein-packed snacks on hand at all times. Seriously, I have them in my purse, car, office drawer, sock drawer (okay, not that last one).
Healthy snacks curb midday hunger, and eating small amounts of food every four hours can actually boost your metabolism. They say the same thing about sex, but unfortunately, that's not always an option.
Here are a few of my faves:
Greek Yogurt, 0 Percent or 2 Percent Fat: Rich, creamy and low in fat, this preservative-free, protein-packed treat is triple strained to remove watery whey, leaving a thick, velvety consistency that is simply delish. I love mixing in a half packet of Stevia and a pinch of cinnamon or a teaspoon of almond butter -- makes it even better!
Almonds: These tasty, protein-packed nuts are probably my favorite go-to snack when I am on the go! The nutritionally dense, fiber-packed nuts are awesome plain, but lately I have also been loving the Sally Smart lemon-roasted almonds that have a seriously citrusy punch! And sorry, guys, the chocolate-covered kind doesn't really count as healthy.
Kashi's TLC Bars: Unlike other corn syrup-filled bars, Kashi's are natural and low in sugar. Check out the cherry dark chocolate flavor (I've checked it out several times).
Skinny Pop: I love this stuff! If you go on the site and read the ingredients, you will flip. It's so healthy and so good. I'm always sneaking a bag into the movie theater.
Rawk-n-Roll Cuisine: Although the raw/vegan/organic/gluten-free snack line looks kinda gnarly, it's actually super delish. I always keep a bag around for a healthy satisfying snack that's less than 60 calories!
You Bars: I can be crazy picky when it comes to food, which is why I love these customizable protein bars. Pick and choose your favorite ingredients to create a bar that is smooth, crunchy, chewy and downright delicious.
Apples: This simple treat can keep your blood sugar in check, which helps prevent unwanted snacking. And the low-cal fruit can satisfy a sweet tooth without wandering into the cheesecake-filled dark side.
VitaTops: Forget the traditional sugar bombs, these decadent but healthy, portable muffin tops pack all the flavor with a fraction of the calories.
Lara Bars: These fab bars are all natural and contain only a few ingredients, which I like. I love the lemon bar flavor.
Brown Rice Cakes: Light and crunchy, these are great when you're craving something like a chip. They're also great topped with a little bit of peanut butter.
Raw Veggies and Hummus: There's something super satisfying about crunchy raw veggies, especially when paired with tangy, heart-healthy, protein-packed hummus dip.
Now if you'll excuse me, I have to catch up with Katy Perry, and she's wearing wings for gosh sake.
Giuliana Rancic just launched the health/wellness site, www.fabfitfun.com
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