Good things don’t always come in small packages, especially when it comes to dieting. Think about it.
Are fun sized candy bars good for weight loss? How about brownie bites? Chocolate truffles? All of those are small in size but bad for weight loss. Here are eight foods small in size, easy to eat, good for your weight loss efforts, and decidedly nutritious.
1. Dark Chocolate Oatmeal Bites
I used to dislike dark chocolate because it seemed so bitter. After cutting out most sugar from my diet, dark chocolate suddenly seemed very sweet. Mix 1 cup of uncooked oats, 3 tablespoons of dark chocolate chips, and enough honey to hold the mixture together in a bowl. Roll into small balls, chill, and eat one or two as a snack.
2. Clementine Oranges
Clementine oranges are tiny, easy to peel, and great for weight loss. We always have some on the counter when they are in season. A clementine gives you a burst of sweetness, 35 calories, and an impressive 60 percent of your required vitamin C.
3. Bird Seed Balls
The birds on your backyard birdfeeder might eat these little bites, but they are definitely for human consumption. I like to mix equal amounts of sunflower seeds, peanuts, and chopped pecans in a bowl. Then I add a bit of all natural peanut butter and mix it thoroughly. Roll into golf sized balls, refrigerate, and eat one as a snack.
4. Figs
Fresh figs are sweet, easy to eat, and low in calories. This underappreciated fruit has several benefits to weight loss because it has fiber, not much sugar, and several nutrients. I recommend keeping fresh figs on hand all the time. When you are in the mood for something sweet, skip the candy bar and reach for a fig. A medium fig has 37 calories, 1.5 g of filling fiber, and just 8 g of sugar.
5. Boiled Eggs
A hard boiled egg is a food I often reach for when I want something small and filling. One egg has 6 g of protein and 77 calories. For a twist, dip the boiled egg in hummus. I promise you, it makes it taste a little bit like a deviled egg.
6. Zucchini Cup with Avocado
Avocados and zucchini make a terrific little bite sized snack or appetizer. I make these when we have company or as a way to use up extra zucchini from my garden. Cut a zucchini into 2 inch sections. Hollow out the inside. Fill with mashed avocado mixed with salt, pepper, and a bit of paprika. Put the avocado mixture into the zucchini cups and refrigerate until firm.
7. Frozen Banana and Dark Chocolate Nuggets
My family loves it when I slice bananas into nugget size pieces, dip one end in melted dark chocolate, and put them in the freezer. Once they are frozen, I pop them into a freezer safe container. The nuggets have about 40 calories each.
8. Lower Calorie Pecan Balls
While definitely a treat, pecan balls are small desserts with protein and healthy fats. Make pecan balls using 3 tablespoons of softened butter, 2 tablespoons sugar, 1/3 cup whole wheat flour, and 1/4 cup chopped pecans. Mix together and use your hands to make them into small balls. Bake at 375 degrees for 8 to 10 minutes. Each pecan ball has about 50 calories.