Low-Calorie Snacking Tips.

Tips:

• Keep sweets small. If you just have to have something sweet, first consider eating some protein and then finish up with a small treat like a Hershey's kiss, a piece of hard candy or some gum.
  
  
• Be a cereal snacker. Choose a breakfast cereal that has fewer than 5 grams of sugar and at least 3 grams of dietary fiber.
  
  
• Managing the machine. If you're starving and a vending machine is all that's available, a small bag of nuts provides healthy protein and fiber despite the higher calorie and fat load. Opt for pretzels or fat-free microwave popcorn over potato chips.
  
  

• Don't drink your calories, but do drink. Liquids help fill you up — just make sure they don't have too many calories. Skip regular soda, which piles on more than 100 calories and has zero nutrients. Fruity-flavored drinks with 10% fruit juice or less aren't much better. Stick to no-cal options like water, diet soda, tea or coffee.

• Beware of granola and energy bars. With the high sugar and salt content and refined flour found in granola and energy bars, they're like candy bars using an alias, The best bars include whole grains (like oats) listed among the first 3 ingredients and that have at least 2 grams of fiber. Those meeting these criteria include LaraBar, Odwalla bars and products by Barbara's Bakery, Nature's Choice, Nature's Path, Kashi and Healthy Valley.