LowER calorie snacks to have with beer

I normally like to have crisps, or chilli rice crackers, or salted pistachio nuts, but these are so high in calories! Of course, I like the fat and the salt but...

I was wondering if you have any alternatives to suggest. I can't seem to drink beer on its own like my husband does!

Thanks!

How about unsalted air-popped popcorn?  It's a little dry and dull but goes a long way.   And, of course, you could save a lot of cals and cut down on fluid-retention if you swapped the beer for a different drink... or is that just being a killjoy?

What about Traditional Chex Mix? Less calories and fat than potato chips and they're my favorite. Of course, everything in moderation.

Original Post by gi-jane:

How about unsalted air-popped popcorn?  It's a little dry and dull but goes a long way.   And, of course, you could save a lot of cals and cut down on fluid-retention if you swapped the beer for a different drink... or is that just being a killjoy?

LOL, we have ONE pint of good quality beer on Friday evenings to celebrate the end of the week. So yes, that is definitely being a killjoy!

Original Post by mrgcat:

What about Traditional Chex Mix? Less calories and fat than potato chips and they're my favorite. Of course, everything in moderation.

Thanks! No idea what they are but will google them! Probably American?

Edit: Just googled them and I don't think we have them around here. Pity, they looked perfect!

I agree about the Chex Mix, or there is a Cheerios Mix...just be sure to watch the portion size.  Popcorn is always a good snack choice.  If you like nuts, mix a few in, just not too many.  We also like beef jerky, it's low in calories and adds protein.  Pretzels are OK, but you have to watch portions again.

Enjoy!

Neva

Have you tried roasted garbanzo beans?  They are delicious, addicting, and very good for you.  They aren't terribly low in calories, but do have real food value, and a small portion could be part of your dinner calories.

Baby Carrots!  Then again I'm a wierdo so maybe only I find them yummy.
Pirates Booty!

I was just going to suggest roasted garbanzo beans as well.  They may not be terribly low-cal but do provide you with good nutrition.

I can believe, though, that flavored rice cakes/crackers would have that many calories.  They don't provide much nutritionally...but they are usually very low cal, even the flavored ones (at least the ones I get!)

Also, how about making your own pita or tortilla chips?  You can get whole wheat, low carb tortillas or pitas, cut them up into triangles, spray them with cooking spray, season them with chili, cumin, or any other spices you like, toast them up... and dip them into low calorie salsa.  Again, not completely calorie free, but better for you than store-bought crisps since they are not fried...

Wow, thanks for all the suggestions! They all sound more tempting than what I normally have...

I am going for the toasted pitta triangles with chilli & cumin tonight. And my husband asked me to make enough for him, which I'm pleased about!

Cheers!

Soy crisps?  Or edamame or peas in the shell.  I like foods you have to shell because it slows down your eating.

If you like fries/crisps/chips or whatever, you can make your own by baking them in the oven rather than frying them.  Use butternut squash, sweet potatoes, or regular white potatoes and your favorite seasonings.

Hmmm... how's about some good ol' low-sodium baked pretzels, in-the-shell sunflower seeds/pumpkin seeds (shell = fun times getting the food out... especially when you're buzzed), veggie sticks + low-fat ranch, maraschino cherries (and then try to knot the stem with your tongue only... that'll take up some time you could have spent eating :P), dill pickle slices and air-popped popcorn

Pickles are delicious and very low-cal (try to avoid the "bread n' butter variety as this has lots of added sugar.  instead usually the "dill" or "kosher" variety are better).

Raw veggies are a great alternative too.  Baby carrots or celery are good, especially dipped in things like salsa or hummus.  

Other ideas:  cereal or popcorn.

Well, the pitta crisps went down well with my husband, but I was a bit heavy handed with the chilli powder, which he loved but I didn't! Still, I enjoyed them anyway!

Thanks for the new suggestions. I am wondering about soy crisps. I have never seen them here. Are they really lower in calories? And the low-sodium pretzels? I have never seen them either. They all sound good, though.

I wonder if it is just that there is more choice in the US, or that I never go to supermarkets here in England because we don't have a car, so I don't see what's available...

Original Post by adolphs:

If you like fries/crisps/chips or whatever, you can make your own by baking them in the oven rather than frying them.  Use butternut squash, sweet potatoes, or regular white potatoes and your favorite seasonings.

So, do you just cut thin slices of potato, place them on an oven tray and bake them? Or is there more to it than that?

Soy crisps, if I recall, are about 120 calories for 18 crisps.  And the crisps are about the size of the circle you make with your thumb and forefinger.  I like the Genisoy Barbecue kind, but I don't know if they're available everywhere.

Original Post by nat1968:

Original Post by adolphs:

If you like fries/crisps/chips or whatever, you can make your own by baking them in the oven rather than frying them.  Use butternut squash, sweet potatoes, or regular white potatoes and your favorite seasonings.

So, do you just cut thin slices of potato, place them on an oven tray and bake them? Or is there more to it than that?

Yes, I would cut thin slices of potatoes/sweet potatoes/yams/carrots/beets/any other starchy veggie, dry them well in between paper towels, spray them with cooking spray and season them ... then place in oven tray to bake.  Here is a basic recipe written by a health-conscious, nutritionist chef: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ellie-krie ger/cracked-pepper-potato-chips-with-onion-di p-recipe2/index.html   You can change up the seasonings to your liking, and omit the dip if you are shooting for a lower calorie snack...

Here is another recipe of hers, but no idea how it would go with beer... just an additional idea :) http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ellie-krie ger/zucchini-parmesan-crisps-recipe/index.htm l

Thanks for your answers. I'll have a look in Planet Organic. I would be surprised not to find the soy crisps there.

And the homemade potato chips recipe looks nice! There again, I don't think we have such a thing as 'cooking spray' around here, but I guess it's easy enough to make! I have a cooking brush, though, which is probably just as good!