Sometimes it's good to look back at childhood and remember what snacks you enjoyed then. Most of our parents tried to feed us healthy, but fun and tasty food most of the time. Really, as adults, don't we want the same thing?
Ants on a log is one of those ideas. My earliest memory of it is as a snack in kindergarten. It's one of those things that is fun to eat, but also is great when you're trying to eat well.
The reason it works so well is that it is a great balance of carbohydrates, fat and protein without bringing too many calories into the equation. It's crunchy, but sweet. The peanut butter helps to satisfy a craving for something a bit more decadent. When I'm craving a peanut butter and honey sandwich, this will usually fill that void, and in a much friendlier way to my waistline.
It's also super easy to make.
Take some celery. I don't measure the celery (don't you burn calories when you eat it anyways?), but it's good to be aware that more celery means you may want more toppings, so don't overdo it.
Spread some peanut butter on it. I like the natural peanut butter, the stuff that only has peanuts as an ingredient. This, you should measure. I like to use a kitchen scale, but a measuring spoon works if you don't have one. I used 15 grams, or 1 Tbsp on the serving you see above. Brings it in at about 100 calories.
Sprinkle and press some raisins into the peanut butter. Again, a good idea to measure the raisins. A serving is listed as a quarter cup, but I found that 15 grams or 2 Tbsp was plenty. About 50 calories there depending on the raisins you get. The raisins I buy are just Thompson raisins, but watch out because there are some kinds that have a lot more saturated fat. Read labels when you're shopping.
Enjoy!
Good for you Deb! I once saw a councellor who's specialty was emotional eating. In my pregnancies, I suffered from depression, and I was just stuffing my face constantly. Especially at work. She had me do a couple of things. First, when I'm craving something, go out and get the highest quality possible (skip the kitkat and go to Lewis Chocolates and buy a beautifully made supremely delicious chocolate instead). Second, when you decide to eat it, don't feel guilty, once you give yourself permission to eat it, feel good about the decision to treat yourself. Third, put it on your desk (I was working at the time), and don't eat it for 15 minutes, and, if possible, write about how you're feeling about it (I just thought it through). And lastly, eat it. Savour it, and enjoy it, appreciate it - and then move on. Don't think about it further.
ReplyDeleteI read your post and thought of that session, it seems like a long, long time ago!