You will want to snack in the first few weeks of intermittent fasting. That need eventually wears off as you lose weight and your stomach shrinks. These snacks become treats rather than a necessity to fill your (mostly) mind and your tummy.

By Cindy Pivacic.

You will want to snack in the first few weeks of intermittent fasting. That need eventually wears off as you lose weight and your stomach shrinks. These snacks become treats rather than a necessity to fill your (mostly) mind and your tummy.

In my case, I will cut out a little on my daily calorie intake so I can indulge in a treat occasionally, as I feel cheated if I can’t have one of my food pleasures.

Popcorn – Purchase the 500g packs (not the ready-to-microwave items), grab a handful and pop into a paper bag, fold the top over twice and microwave until the popping stops. Approximately 2.5/3min. 

 Trigz – Popped Corn Chips, available at a couple of stores. Try the White Cheddar. They come in 28g and 85g. The 28g packet is only 109 calories as opposed to other chips being around 180 calories for 36g.

 Nomu – Hot or Cold. There are only 20 calories in one teaspoon of the Skinny Hot Chocolate. The instructions they provide are for a hot version, and I have made a cold version sometimes by adding a drop of hot water to make a paste and then adding cold milk. It is delicious and quietens that sweet craving.

 Dark Chocolate – There are several dark chocolate options, but not nearly enough in the cheaper selection. I tend towards a dark Kit-Kat, Bourneville slab, or buy the dark chocolate rounds at a baking supply shop. But chocolate, I will have!

 Chicken Biltong – I had a problem finding chilli chicken biltong (also chutney available, which is not to my taste). It appears that more biltong shops and a couple of larger ‘Super’ grocery stores are stocking these flavours, making my search a lot easier. Hopefully, your area will also stock. Beef biltong is an alternative option in moderation. I purchase 100g at a time and halve the portion over two days. There are 250 calories in 100g of either chicken or beef biltong.

 Banana and PB – Quick and easy. Cut a banana in half and spread each side with 1 tsp of sugar and salt-free peanut butter. Top with cinnamon for a change.

 Rice Cakes – I eat brown rice cakes that are 35 calories each. I top these with cream cheese and sweet chilli (low carb) sauce or cucumber, avocado, hummus, sundried tomato with pesto, tuna with a slice of tomato, bean pâté (take a tin of 4 Mix Beans, pass through the blender and add chilli, red onion, a dash of olive oil, ground pepper), and peanut butter with slices or mashed banana.

 Lite Chocolate Milk – 350ml drink half ONLY per serving as it has 158 calories.

 Wine Gums – 1 Tube equals 170cal, so half a packet will do for one day.

 I am sure you will start looking at calorie value and find other snack options. These will get you started. 

 Remember that most product value is in kilojoules by which you count your intake. You will find the intake value on most packaging under ‘Energy’. These kilojoules should be divided by 4.2 to find the calorie value.

 Happy intermittent fasting, and remember to consult your health service provider before embarking on your journey.

 Good Luck!

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Disclaimer: The information in this article is intended for educational purposes only.

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