A true snack portion should be 150 to 200 calories

April 9, 2010

What many people consider a "snack" - an energy bar, part of a bag of chips, or side order at a fast-food restaurant - might just have 400 calories or more.

A true snack, says Melanie Douglass, a registered dietitian based in Salt Lake City, is about 150 to 200 calories.

Here are several of Douglass' healthful suggestions:

A cup of high-fiber cereal and a small handful of pumpkin seeds

One ounce of nuts, which is about 24 almonds or 15 walnuts

One cup of bran flakes with half a cup of chocolate milk

One handful of red grapes

Whole-wheat toast with a bit of peanut butter

One stick of string cheese with a piece of fruit

One whole-wheat tortilla with a few spoonfuls of canned black beans

One serving of Greek yogurt (thicker and richer than the regular stuff) with a handful of berries

Any fruit or vegetable

For more protein, also eat a serving of nuts, sliced turkey, or a low-fat yogurt with less than 20 grams of sugar in an 8-ounce serving.

- U.S. News & World Report

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