Today's Tip: Snack Ideas!

Everyone is always asking for new snack ideas. Here are a few to add to your snack list.

1 small McDonald's Fruit 'n Yogurt Parfait

1 single-serve bag of Wheat Thins or one serving of Kashi whole grain crackers and 1 Lite string cheese

1 bottled low-fat smoothie (Check the label and avoid smoothies with fructose or high fructose corn syrup listed as one of the first ingredients - this type of refined sugar will cause your blood sugar to peak, then crash -- making you hungry again before too long)

1 medium apple and an 8-ounce carton of skim or lowfat milk

1 medium apple& 2 T natural peanut butter

1 medium-large apple, 1 wedge The Laughing Cow Light Cheese, any flavor & a handful of red grapes

Superfood Trail Mix - Combine 1 tablespoon each dried cherries, golden raisins, sunflower seeds, and roasted soy nuts with 1 teaspoon mini chocolate chips in a ziplock bag; mix. (150 calories)

Gorp - 1/2 ounce whole shelled (unpeeled) almonds, 1/4 ounce unsalted dry-roasted peanuts, 1/4 ounce dried cranberries, 1 tablespoon chopped pitted dates, 1 1/2 teaspoon chocolate chips. (Try customizing this basic recipe with your favorite dried fruits & nuts.)

Cinnamon Oranges - 4 navel oranges, 2 tablespoons orange juice, 2 tablespoons lemon juice, 1 tablespoon sugar, 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
With a sharp knife, remove rind and white pith from oranges. Cut each into 5 or 6 slices and arrange on 4 plates. Whisk together orange juice and lemon juice, sugar and cinnamon. Spoon over the orange slices.

Indoor Raspberry S'more - Spread 1 teaspoon raspberry jam on 2 graham crackers (don't break the crackers apart). Top with 1 large marshmallow and 1/2 ounce square of dark chocolate. Microwave 10 to 15 seconds, until marshmallow begins to melt.

Blueberry-Pineapple Protein Shake - Combine 1 cup low-fat milk or lowfat vanilla yogurt, 1/4 cup frozen blueberries, and 1/4 cup frozen pineapple in a blender; puree until smooth.

Cool Skewers - Red, white, and green kabobs: Skewer 1 cube watermelon, 1 small cube swiss cheese, and 1 slice cucumber on each of five toothpicks.

Crunchy Veggies & Dip - Cut up your favorite veggies – cucumbers, carrots, jicama, snow peas, etc. & dip them in a mixture of plain Greek yogurt and Ranch dressing mix

Yogurt Blend - 1/2 cup low-fat plain Greek yogurt mixed with 1-2 tsp honey and 1 teaspoon unsweetened cocoa powder and topped with 1/2 cup raspberries