Low Calorie Ideas.com

Who doesn’t love Italian Cannoli? You can still savor the classic flavor combination for a fraction of the calories with this simple 6 ingredient recipe. Each mini-”cannoli” is just 33 calories, so you can enjoy three of them for 100 calories! Um…yes, please!

While these do not use traditional cannoli shells, my version is a healthy, low-fat, and low-calorie alternative to traditional to deep-fried cannolis. TONS of calories are saved by using crispy phyllo dough shells, which still provide a lovely crunch that goes amazing with the smooth ricotta texture. The ricotta mixture is delicious and will totally satisfy your cannoli and chocolate cravings in a healthy, low-cal way!

Calories:

33 calories per mini-cannoli (100 calories for three!)

Entire recipe is 492.5 calories and yields 15 mini “cannoli”

Ingredients:

• Package of Mini Phyllo/Filo Dough Shells (15 count)
• 3/4 cup of fat-free ricotta cheese
• ¼ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips (preferably mini ones!)
• 3 packets of your favorite zero-calorie sweetener
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/8 tsp vanilla

Directions:

1. Bake Phyllo Dough Shells according to package directions.
2. Let the crisp shells cool completely.
3. In a bowl, mix thoroughly the ricotta, chocolate chips, desired sweetener, cinnamon and vanilla.
4. Let the ricotta mixture sit for an hour or two in the refrigerator so the yummy flavors meld.
5. Remove mixture from fridge and stir thoroughly again.
6. Place rounded tablespoons of mixture into each of the cooked and crisped Phyllo Dough Shells.
7. Serve immediately.

Notes and Variations:

Make sure to spoon the mixture into the baked shells at the last moment so they remain crispy!

For a more “chocolately” version, add some cocoa powder to the ricotta mixture.

Add more or less sweetener, depending on your preference.

Sprinkle some additional mini chocolate chips on the top, if you wish.

Crunchy, creamy, and savory are three words that describe these tasty low calorie Greek Mediterranean appetizers. Just four ingredients equals a simple and delish snack. Oh yeah, the’re low calorie and vegetarian, too! At 19 calories per appetizer, this will be your new go-to recipe!

I love anything with feta and cucumbers and this recipe is no exception.  These are so fast and cheap to make and most of all – they taste amazing! They’re perfect to serve or bring to your next get-together as they’re vegetarian and sure to please everyone’s taste buds.  As an added nutritional bonus, each piece contains a few grams of protein from the fat-free feta and hummus.

Enjoy! (make sure not to eat them all and leave a few for your guests!)

Calories:

Entire recipe is 228 calories. Yields approximately 12 appetizer pieces.

Just 19 calories per appetizer!

Ingredients:

• 1 cucumber
• 1/2 cup of your favorite low-fat prepared hummus
• 1/4 cup of diced tomatoes
• 1/4 cup of fat-free or low-fat and low-sodium feta cheese
• Greek spice blend (optional)

Directions:

1. Wash and thoroughly dry the cucumber.
2. Leave skin on or peel it off; up to you!
3. Slice approximately half-inch slices.
4. Lay out the pieces flat on a pretty serving tray.
5. Pat them dry with a napkin to absorb moisture.
6. Thinly spread hummus over the top of each slice.
7. Sprinkle feta and diced tomatoes.
8. Optional: Sprinkle a Greek spice blend on top for added flavor (oregano, garlic, rosemary, etc.)

Notes and Variations:

• I prefer European variety cucumbers because they are super crunchy and have less seeds.
• Diced red onion would also add nice flavor to this low cal recipe!
• If you’re looking to add some healthy fat to your diet, some finely diced kalamata olives would be delish!
• Instead of cucumbers, you could also use tomato slices, or low-cal crackers.
• Used canned diced tomatoes (no-sodium added) to save time!

Sweet and salty snacks can satisfy multiply food cravings at once. Read on for 14 mouthwatering, delicious and savory low calorie snack ideas for just 150 calories or less! Why not 100 calories? For just 50 calories more, you get a larger portion and will feel more satisfied, making it less likely that you’ll opt for two 100-calorie snacks, instead!

I find that these are great guilt-free low calorie snacks for watching tv or the occasional late night/midnight snack. As a bonus, you probably have many of these ingredients in your kitchen.

Snack on!

1. 1/2 cup of canned pineapple (no-sugar added) and 1 slice of lean deli ham
2. 2 cups air popped popcorn sprinkled with a bit of sugar and salt (tastes like kettle corn!)
3. 100-Calorie Pack of Nabisco’s® Sweet & Salty Snack Mix
4. 1 small handful each of salted peanuts and raisins
5. 1/2 cup of peach slices (no-sugar added) and fat-free cottage cheese, sprinkled with cinnamon
6. 1 Nature’s Valley® Sweet ‘N Salty Granola Bar
7. 3 slices of turkey bacon, drizzled with a little bit of maple syrup
8. 1 mozzarella cheese stick with 1 sliced pear
9. 5 slices of sweet pickles (like “bread and butter”) with 1 slice of lean turkey deli meat
10. 1 oz of low-fat pretzels dipped in 2 tsp. sweet honey mustard
11. 8-oz serving of coconut water and a handful of roasted almonds
12. 5 large strawberries dipped into poppy seed dressing or balsamic vinegar
13. 1 sliced granny smith apple and 2 slices of lean turkey deli meat
14. 1/2 cup low-fat cottage cheese, peach slices, cinnamon

Drooling yet? (I sure was by the time I got done brainstorming these ideas and finishing this blog post!) Make sure to share your favorite low calorie snack ideas or recipes in the comments section below.

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