Since I was a little girl I would go grocery shopping with my mother every Sunday evening after dinner. “It was important to go after diner”, she explained. “Because when you go to the supermarket hungry you’re tempted to buy everything bad for you!” As a college student, this rule still applies, but can have an added addendum: don’t give into these hunger cravings! Especially as women, we’re always craving something bad for us. Myself? I always want gummy bears or some sort of chewy candy when I’m studying.
Peeling away at the pages of my horribly boring political science text book, I never notice just how much of those gummy bears I’m eating, that is, until I reach in and it’s empty. I hang my head in shame and keep reading, secretly wanting to run to the store to get another bag.
Here are some almost guilt free alternatives to those cravings so you can avoid that late night walk of shame to the grocery store.
Salty –
When you want this:
UTZ 10oz bag of plain, salted potato chips
Serving size: 20 chips
Calories: 150 Fat Calories: 80 Total Fat: 9g Saturated Fat: 2g
You should buy this instead:
Act II 94% Fat Free Butter popcorn
Serving size: 7 cups popped (2 serving sizes in each bag)
Calories: 15 Fat calories: 0 Total Fat: 0g Saturated Fat 0g
Popcorn is a great, guiltless snack. You’re usually full before you can finish the bag, and if you’re not you can keep on going till you reach the bottom; it’s only 30 calories after all! If you’re craving salty and sweet, throw on some sugar or cinnamon and create your own kettle corn! All the flavor you would get from the chips – and then some – without that “I can’t believe I just did that” feeling!
Sweet –
When you want this:
Trolli Gummy Bears
Serving size: 18 pieces
Calories: 110 Fat calories: 0 Total Fat: 0 Saturated Fat: 0g
You should buy this instead:
Smarties Candy
Serving size: 1 roll
Calories: 25 Fat calories: 0 Total Fat: 0g Saturated Fat: 0g
You can have four rolls of Smarties and still consume fewer calories than 18 gummy bears! These are a great candy to keep in your bag for whenever you want something sweet. They’re delicious and fat free and perfect for studying.
Cookies –
When you want this:
Chips Ahoy Original Chocolate Chip Cookies
Serving size: 3 cookies (33g)
Calories: 160 Fat calories: 70 Total Fat: 8g Saturated Fat: 2.5g
You should buy this instead:
Teddy Grams Chocolatey Chips
Serving size: 24 cookies (30g)
Calories: 130 Fat calories: 40 Total Fat: 4.5g Saturated Fat: 1g
Yes, I know – Teddy Grams don’t seem to be all that better for you. But personally, I’m way more tempted to eat more than three Chips Ahoy than a giant handful of Teddy Grams!
Ice Cream –
When you want this:
Ben and Jerry’s Half Baked
Serving size: 1/2 cup
Calories: 270 Fat calories: 120 Total Fat: 13g Saturated Fat: 7g
You should buy this instead:
Turkey Hill Stuff’d Chocolate Pretzel
Serving size: 1/2 cup
Calories: 130 Fat calories: 30 Total Fat: 3.5g Saturated Fat: 2.5g
I am the first to say that no other ice cream can replace Ben and Jerry’s, but I’m not the first to say how absolutely terrible Ben and Jerry’s is for you! So why not try to find a delicious alternative (not replacement – nothing can replace my two favorite men) that can be just as satisfying! Turkey Hill’s Chocolate Pretzel ice cream is a unique flavor, just like any flavor of Ben and Jerry’s. So why not give it a shot? You definitely won’t be regretting having a bowl of this low fat dessert!
Fruit Punch –
When you want this:
Hawaiin Punch Fruit Juicy Red
Serving size: 8oz
Calories: 120 Fat calories: 0 Total fat: 0g Saturated fat: 0g
You should buy this instead:
Crystal Light Fruit Punch – Single Serving Drink Mixes
Serving size: 1 envelope (for use in one average size water bottle)
Calories: 5 Fat calories: 0 Total fat: 0g Saturated fat: 0g
Clearly, the crystal light is the better option. Not only is it better for you in terms of calories, but it’s a lot more convenient, and you can control how flavorful you want it!
As long as you go into the grocery store with a clear head and a full stomach, you’ll be able to navigate and make the right decisions. Always comparison shop; don’t always go with your first instinct before investigating the alternatives and deciding what would be the best decision to make for you.