What do you snack on when you’re just craving something?

Beef jerky.

Pickles are my favorite because they are low in calories. I also like sharing an apple with the dogs along with blueberries. When I eat more starch I cut back on fruit and choose corn on the cob or sweet potatoes without butter instead. For something higher in calories I grab a 26 g protein drink. High-fiber cereal with almond milk works too and pairs well with berries the same way yogurt, cottage cheese, chia pudding, or oatmeal does.

I eat a mandarin because they are in season right now. It is about 40 calories plus vitamin C and roughly 2 g of fiber. If I am still under my daily calories I add some walnuts even though they are calorie dense at about 200 calories for 30 g.

I usually grab a carrot. By the time I am halfway through I feel satisfied and they taste fine plain. No prep needed, they are lightly hydrating, and they cool you down if they have been in the fridge on a hot day.

I keep beef jerky within reach at all times. A few saltine crackers with peanut butter can hit the spot too. Depending on what looks good I will finish a bowl of cherries, an apple, or a pear.

Jell-O, cottage cheese, a smoothie that also gives me something to do, a couple tablespoons of crunchy cookie butter, yogurt, oatmeal, pickles or pickled okra lately, and a couple of stuffed olives.

I appreciate you changing your profile picture from that creature you had before.

Greek yogurt, cottage cheese, chicken breast, or a glass of milk.

Something sweet like a small piece of dark chocolate or something salty like a pickle, olives, nuts, or pumpkin seeds. It helps to have a planned treat ready so you do not end up making a big run to the store. I also keep a small bag of potato chips hidden for emergencies and write the purchase date on it. Seeing an old date motivates me to pick a pickle instead. I have heard of people turning protein shakes into ice cream but have not tried it.

Homemade beef jerky, biltong, or store-bought cheese.

In summer I like watermelon, frozen grapes, and carrots. Year round I enjoy boiled eggs with a little mustard, yogurt mixed with granola, different kinds of mixed nuts, and celery with pimento cheese.

Yogurt, usually zero percent fat with no added sugar, sometimes flavored, and I add blueberries now and then. A couple tablespoons of peanut butter that contains only peanuts. Cottage cheese.

I found protein puffs in different flavors. They are not exactly like cheese puffs but they satisfy the urge to snack while adding protein and they have a good protein-to-calorie ratio.

I want something different most of the time but lately it has been jerky, protein chips, or a slice of ham and cheese.

Apples are one of the longest lasting options for filling the gap. They are low in calories and come in many varieties. A hand slicer lets you cut one into eight pieces instantly.

An individual bag of skinny pop when I want something salty. A frozen yogurt bar when I want something sweet. Some nights both.

Cottage cheese. It is always cottage cheese.

Try sitting with the discomfort and learning to tell it apart from real hunger because it will pass. You can still gain weight from healthy foods. I have been active for years but kept grabbing just a spoonful of plain Greek yogurt, an apple, a few berries, or six almonds when stressed and ended up 25 pounds heavier. Now I ask myself if I am truly hungry and if not what triggered it or what I am trying to avoid. Cravings are often a quick dopamine hit rather than hunger. If you do eat, choose meat or fat such as a chicken drumstick, leftover steak, or aged cheese.

Protein bars or shakes, peanut butter on toast, and zero sugar cola.

Yogurt, cottage cheese, hard boiled eggs, or eggs over medium with toasted rye and butter. I crave eggs a lot.

A tiny piece of dark chocolate covered mango, ginger chews that I keep in the house at all times, freeze dried yogurt drops, beef jerky, or a handful of nuts and seeds.

I love freeze dried chocolate covered strawberries, popcorn chips, popcorn from the machine, blue corn tortilla chips with guacamole in the single serve tubs, or mentos.

I snack on turkey deli meat. I keep it stocked because I am a sucker for it and it gives me protein too.

I am apparently unusual. Since my first shot I have eaten zero snacks. The medication removed any desire to snack and I am grateful. I do one meal a day and have never cheated. My issues were portion control and late night snacks and both were fixed right away, making the routine simple to follow.