Most 100-calorie packs offer nothing but a few bites of refined carbs, zero nutrients—and a somewhat duped feeling that you not only ate 100 calories that didn’t feel like 100 calories, but that you’re still kind of wishing for the real thing.

But Wholly Gaucamole is a 100-calorie pack I can get behind—and one that your BFB might actually raise his eyebrows at in curiosity (which means he may, in fact, try it—which means you may, in fact, want to buy more than a single pack!) It’s chock-full of the super-heart-healthy monounsaturated fat (which, as I chatted about here, is oh-so-important!), and will help hold you over till your next meal. It’s also high in vitamin E, magnesium and folic acid, and has four grams of fiber per yummy serving!

So toss a pack in your work bag with some veggies for a mid-afternoon snack, spread it on a sandwich in place of mayo—boys love it on burgers—or put it out for your guy as a healthier chip dip. Continue Reading →

Holiday sweets are hard enough to resist when you’re not locked inside a four-door box shooting across asphalt at 70 mph. So whether you’re on the way to Grandma’s or on a two-hour trip across state lines to meet friends for a New Year’s Eve celebration, ask your boy to stash his snacks out of arm’s reach and tuck any home-baked goodies in the backseat. You’ll have to make a conscious decision to pull over to start snacking—and when you pull that little LBD over your head NYE you’ll feel beautiful, not bloated.

Pumpkin seeds are packed with good-for-you-both nutrients. Studies show they can do everything from help lower cholesterol and protect bones to promote prostate health and ward off arthritis. Snack on a quarter-cup of these salty seeds and you’ll score a mega dose of important minerals, including zinc, iron, copper and magnesium—way better for you than satisfying a salt fix with carb-heavy pretzels! And one .75-ounce bag of David Pumpkin Seeds has only 90 calories, 2 grams of carbs, 5 grams of protein and 7 grams of fat—most of which are the super-healthy kind.

Next time you and the BFB are on the road and hunger strikes, reach for one of Kashi’s Tasty Little Chewies granola bars. They’ve got 4 grams of filling fiber, 5-7 grams of hunger-staving protein, absolutely zero artificial anything, and they are sweetened with wildflower honey instead of high-fructose corn syrup. The best part? Most convenience stores seem to be stocking them—and BFBs don’t mind bumming bites of the Peanut Peanut Butter ones, so think about buying two for when he decides he actually does want one and you don’t feel like sharing. (No, that’s not a typo. They must be super-peanut-y!)

If the last time a BFB dragged you into a Long John Silver’s the grease in the air was so thick you almost slid off the yellow benches, take heart. The fry-happy chain plans to unveil a nonfried menu later this month. Choose from Grilled Pacific Salmon, Grilled Tilapia or Shrimp Scampi — all 10 grams of fat or less. Not a bad catch, considering one piece of battered fish will set you back 260 calories and 16 grams of fat. Steer clear of his hushpuppies and you can brave the waters of LJS without submarining your diet.