Healthily curbing your midafternoon cravings is that much harder when your options are limited to a vending machine. Sure, not all of its choices are bad, but most are calorie bombs—empty calories at that, so in addition to feeling guilty, you’re also still hungry. A general rule of thumb is to always snack on something that combines moderate calories with the ability to satisfy your hunger. And avoid empty-calorie foods like cookies and candy. This way, you won’t ditch your diet and are less likely to overeat during your next meal. Here, your no-gain guide to your office’s vending machine. Learn more about 400 Calorie Fix—order your book copy today! More from Prevention.com: 22 Delicious Low-Calorie Snack Ideas
Select: Triscuit Original
Serving: 1.94 ozCalories: 240 With 6 grams of fiber, Triscuits are among the highest fiber snacks. Just be sure not to wander to their cousin, Wheat Thins Toasted Chips, when they’re out of stock. While Wheat Thins are high in fiber, they’re also high in sodium.
Select: Kellogg’s Low Fat Granola Crunch Blends
Serving: 1.5 ozCalories: 160 calories A pretty smart pick, especially if paired with a carton of yogurt. But be wary of other Kellogg’s products, like their Strawberry Yogurt Nutri-Grain bar. It has an ooey-gooey center mostly made with sugar, some fruit puree, and Red Dye #40. More from Prevention.com: What Does “100% Natural” Mean On Food Labels?
Select: Traditional Chex Mix
Serving: 1 3/4 ozCalories: 220 Made from breakfast cereal, which makes it seem healthy, but it’s nutritionally similar to other salty snacks. Still, a better choice when you’re in a crunch. More from Prevention.com: The 10 Worst Kids’ Breakfast Cereals
Select: Planters Salted Peanuts
Serving: 2 ozCalories: 330 calories They’re filling and packed with healthy monounsaturated fats. And if you’re at the grocery store, pick up Planters Flavor Groves Pistachios for a zesty snack with heart-healthy fats and protein. Your wallet (and waistline) will thank you. More from Prevention.com: 26 Best, Healthiest Packaged Foods
Select: Planters Trail Mix Nuts & Chocolate
Serving: 2 ozCalories: 320 Again, higher in calories but more likely to keep hunger at bay for longer. Of course, if you already have a healthy snack and are just craving those M&Ms, settle for a fantasy. A 2010 study found that people who imagined eating decadent foods, like an entire bag of M&Ms, actually ended up having fewer cravings for those indulgent snacks.
Skip: Lay’s Potato Chips
Serving: 1 7/8 ozCalories: 280 Forget this greasy salt bomb! To prevent rancidity, food industries use BHT—a fat-soluble chemical also used in petroleum products. What’s more is Lay’s have 50 percent more volume and calories than the standard 1 ounce serving.
Skip: Famous Amos Chocolate Chip Cookies
Serving: 3 ozCalories: 50 Chocolate chip cookies will never top a nutrition list, but they sure taste good. Its portions are the problem, so share with a couple of friends. Mini Chips Ahoy aren’t any better either, costing you 270 calories for 2 oz.
Skip: Snickers bar
Serving: 2.07 ozCalories: 280 As convincing as Betty White is in those Snickers commercials, candy bars do little to surge energy. Why? Sugar tends to break down so fast that, after providing a short-lived burst of energy, they leave your blood sugar levels low. More on Prevention.com: Is Your Energy Bar a Healthy Snack?
Skip: Skittles
Serving: 61 gramsCalories: 250 As much as you want to taste the rainbow, Skittles are more than 2 ounces of pure sugar and not much else. Plus, that sticky residue left behind is the primary cause of gum disease and cavities. More from Prevention.com: Beat Your Sugar and Starch Addiction
Skip: Entenmann’s Jumbo Iced Honey Bun
Serving: 1/2 BunCalories: 330 Even the package describes a serving as half a bun. Don’t pick up that Pop-Tart, either. All you’ll be eating is refined white flour stripped of its nutrients, sugar, corn syrup, and artificial preservatives. More from Prevention.com:7 Kids Foods To Never Eat
