Happy National Sundae Day with Yonanas

That moment when you realize it's National Sundae Day and you're on a diet! Well, not to fear! Yonanas is here to save our diet plan with it's amazing ice cream making product. You can make delicious, creamy, low-cost,‎ healthy frozen treats in minutes with the Yonanas!‎‎ When it comes to making a tasty ice cream treat that is healthy, substitute your base with frozen bananas. Here is a quick & easy ice cream sundae recipe courtesy of Yonanas (p.s. The Yonanas is on sale right now! Check it out here.):

1. Buy cheetah spotted bananas. Remove the peel and freeze for 24 hours.
2. Thaw the frozen bananas for 10 minutes prior to using Yonanas maker
3. Place a bowl at the open part of the Yonanas maker.
4. Turn on the Yonanas maker and insert the bananas into the chute. Push the fruit down using the plunger that comes with the Yonanas.

Walaah! You now have an "ice cream" base! Don't stop there! Add in organic chocolate syrup or even fresh raspberries or strawberries.

Enjoy!!

Belly Bloating Busters

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Guest post: When we want to look our best for a special occasion we typically think, hair, make-up, a great outfit and some killer shoes. What we forget to add to the mix is being mindful of food intake. Eating the wrong foods before an event can sabotage your beauty plan. Certain foods can give your gut an instant bloat that looks and feels awful. Luckily there are belly bloating busters offered Dr. Christopher Calapai, D.O.; Osteopathic Physician board certified in family medicine and anti-aging medicine. 

For a girl’s night out: Don’t be afraid to have a large meal beforehand. If you are planning for an active night, whether dancing, bowling or party hopping, you will need the fuel and protein is key. 

Dr. Calapai has created the perfect meal for a pre girls night out:

-      1 grilled chicken breast (approx 4 oz)

-      1/2 cup cooked brown rice and lentils

-      1 cup steamed string beans

This combo will fill you up without weighing you down, and will give you the energy you need to dance the night away!

For a dinner- date: Don't "just have a salad." All the vegetables in the salad will actually cause your stomach to bloat more. 

Dr. Calapai suggests ordering fish with one side of grilled vegetables. “Wild Salmon is jam-packed with heart healthy vitamins and omega 3 fatty acids. If Salmon is not an option, mackerel, sea bass and lemon sole are all good options as well. As for the veggies, try to steer clear of cauliflower or broccoli which may cause bloating. Opt for grilled zucchini, asparagus, or carrots which will keep your tummy tamed!”

For a day at the beach: If you’re going to the beach you need a healthy, energizing meal to get you through the morning but you don’t want it to show in your stomach.  You’re probably thinking that the easiest thing to eat before you head out is some Special K with skim milk. It’s low in calories after all, right? It doesn’t matter how low-cal it is, the dairy and multi-grains will expand in your intestines, causing your gut to stick out. 

Instead of cereal, Dr. Calapai has a belly bloat busting recipe for oatmeal pancakes. Take 1/2 cup raw oats, 3 egg whites, 1/2 apple, and a dash of cinnamon and throw in a blender to create the pancake mix. This high fiber non-fat breakfast choice offers whole grain fiber plus additional fiber from the apple, and protein from the egg whites. It's a great filling way to start the day, and will not create any abdominal gas or bloating, so you can go bikini-bare with ease!

For an afternoon luncheon: Eating a well-balanced lunch is essential for boosting energy and productivity; giving you power over that mid-day slump and keeping your metabolism active. Oftentimes people want to skip lunch in hopes of losing weight and grab an energy drink to keep them going. This is so bad! The carbonation from an energy drink will make you more bloated then a light lunch. Dr. Calapai says, “For a mid-day luncheon, your best bet is a salad chock-full of fresh vegetables and greens, topped with a piece of grilled fish, low-fat tuna salad, or fresh turkey breast slices. Throw a few walnuts or almonds on top and dress with a low fat/low sugar dressing, to finish off your delicious salad creation!”

For traveling days: These days airports are getting bigger and so are the food courts. It’s tempting to give in to the convenience of fast travel food, but the combination of a high-sodium smorgasbord and air travel equals a very bloated body from head to toe. There are better options. Eat before you leave for the airport.  Dr. Calapai suggests packing your carry-on with fruits, vegetables, and granola bars. These bloat busting options are usually available at airport kiosks. Also, avoid the beverage service on board. Stick to water, you will have a happier flight and feel revived upon arriving at your destination!

A Sorority Girl's Vitamin Guide

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Either you're just getting over that seasonal cold or you've been unfortunate to have just been hit with it! Whatever the case, it's important to get the right vitamins in your system to stay healthy and help prevent getting sick. Your immune system is so important to take care of you so it's important that you take care of it! We are only given one body in this lifetime and every day it goes through wear and tear and somehow we have to make it last for over 80 years! Below are a list of the best vitamins to fuel your body for our 20 to 30 year old readers as shared by Dr. Christopher Calapai D.O. Take note and be sure to take them daily!

• Calcium: These are the decades to bone up, as in, maintain your bone mass. Dr. Calapai recommends adults aged 19-50 years take 1,000 milligrams of calcium, daily. If you don’t receive enough calcium from your diet, you may need to take a supplement containing elemental calcium. Elemental calcium refers to the actual amount of calcium in a supplement that's available for your body to absorb—the rest are compounds making up the supplement. But when supplementing your calcium, read the labels carefully, cautions Dr. Calapai . “For example, if you buy tablets such as calcium carbonate, each tablet contains 1,250 milligrams of calcium,” he says. “Unfortunately, only 500 milligrams is elemental calcium.”

• Vitamin D: The reason we're severely lacking vitamin D nowadays, much more so than even our parents were, is because we're missing out on the number-one source of vitamin D: The sun. "Vitamin D is a pro-hormone made in the skin upon exposure to sunlight, and production of it is rapid and robust," Calapai says. "Within 10 to 20 minutes without wearing sunscreen, people make between 10,000 and 20,000 IU. But because of widespread sunscreen use, total sun avoidance, and our increasingly indoor lifestyles, our vitamin D levels have fallen drastically." Dr. Calapai says, “Take at least 2,000 IU per day year-round. And although you technically don't need to supplement on the days that you know you'll be outside when the sun is high, it's just easier to take it every day than to try to remember when and not to."

• Folic Acid: For women in their childbearing years, folic acid is recommended if you’re planning on conceiving anytime soon. “You should take it before you get pregnant to ensure your levels are high because low rates of folic acid can cause a number of birth defects,” says Dr. Calapai. “The recommended dosing of folic acid is 400 micrograms per day if you are age 14 or older.”

• Iron: Iron is another key consideration for menstruating women. “Iron deficiency commonly occurs in pregnant women, causing anemia, which can result in fatigue and weakness,” says Dr. Calapai . “Iron enables red blood cells to carry oxygen and deliver it to body cells.” If you’re pregnant and not getting your daily 27 mg. of iron from sources such as iron-fortified cereals and eggs, then look for it in a supplement containing 16 to 20 mg, or speak to your physician about iron supplementation specifically.

A Sorority Girl's Ultimate Birthday Cake

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In honor of our 3 year anniversary we want to celebrate by making some delicious cake. This cake is in honor of all of the love and support that you have shown us over the years. From your awesome comments, beautiful pictures, and of course your sorority secrets, our page would be nothing without YOU! So today, "let us eat cake!" 

Our friends at Vanille have shared with us some tips on how to make the perfect buttercream cake. Read their tips below and use this recipe to make the perfect cake!

5 Tips for Buttercream Cakes
1. Rustic buttercream- Easier to accomplish than a smooth sided cake and still looks professional.

2. Add bought décor to cover up any problem areas. For example, chocolate décor, sugar flowers.

3. Add nuts, sprinkles, chocolate curls to the side of cake, this will cover up any mishaps and don’t require a smooth finish.

4. Add organic fresh flowers to any cake for a simple yet elegant touch.

5. Combed finish- Makes any cake look even and finished.

Happy baking!

10 Greatest TSS Posts From 2015

It's time to walk down memory lane! We have loved sharing with you our fashion, beauty, secret steals, home decor, and fitness and health secrets. Your support of our site is incredible and we couldn't be more thrilled to end this new year and start the next with you all. Read through the posts that you loved from 2015 below!

1. Curly Hair Care 101
2. Sorority Spotlight: Alpha Chi Omega, California State University, Fullerton
3. 4 Products To Help You Stay Focused
4. The Airfare Secret
5. Spotify TSS Coachella 2015 Playlist
6. Sisters Succeeding: Sharon Bui, Frill Clothing Company
7. Summer 2015 Roadtrip Playlist
8. TSS Master List of Bid Day Themes
9. What You Probably Didn't Know About the Waist Trainer
10. The Truth About Lip Injections

Happy reading!!

7 Cold-Fighting Foods

Tis the season for sniffles! With the holidays around the corner, don't get stuck in bed wishing you could have done things to prevent yourself from getting sick. Aside from getting your flu shot, exercising daily, and washing your hands often, there are also a lot of foods that you can consume to keep your body healthy and in check, helping to fight away an possible viruses. Load up your refrigerator with these foods that are worth it:

1. Garlic
2. Turmeric 
3. Chicken Soup (for the teenage soul. Haha, just kidding! We mean the real chicken soup. Get a crock pot and you can make some awesome, authentic chicken soup, adding garlic and turmeric of course!)
4. Wild Salmon (yum, yum, yum!)
5. Dark, Leafy Greens
6. Sweet Potatoes (bake these in your oven adding brown sugar and prepare to be in food heaven!)
7. Beef...believe it or not!

Stay well!

A Sorority Girl's Healthy Halloween Treats

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Despite all the goblins, ghosts and ghouls, the spookiest part about Halloween may just be the outrageous amount of sugar and candy we all consume on this one night each year. In fact, 4% of all candy eaten in the U.S. occurs on Halloween night, making the average trick-or-treater’s bag of candy equivalent to 4,800 calories and 3 cups of sugar!

As sorority girls, we know how much staying healthy and fit means to you, so to avoid all the sugar this Halloween while still enjoying your Halloween with your sisters, we are sharing some healthier Halloween treats created by Chef Anthony Stewart.

Bake these at your next Halloween Party or sisterhood event!

Candy Corn Fruit Cup | Healthy Halloween Party Ideas

Excellent for a Halloween party or for a dessert any time of the year. It’s healthy, sweet, tangy, and oh-so-easy to put together.


Servings: 4

Ingredients:

2 cups mango cubes


2 cups clementine segments


2 cups fat-free, plain Greek yogurt


Top with zest of clementine

Chocolate Jack O’Lantern | Healthy Halloween Party Ideas

For spooky, chocolatey fun, carve out oranges and fill with Pritikin’s Chocolate Mousse.


Servings: 5 half-cup servings


Ingredients:

1/4 cup water cold


1/2 cup cocoa powder unsweetened


1/4 cup Splenda granulated


2 teaspoons vanilla extract


12 ounces tofu silken, extra-firm


Instructions:

In a medium saucepan, add water and warm over low heat, bringing to a low simmer.


Add cocoa powder to saucepan, stirring constantly until the mixture becomes a fudge-like consistency.


Remove from heat.


Add Splenda to fudge, mixing well. Add vanilla extract, mixing well.


In a food processor fitted with a metal blade, add tofu and chocolate fudge mixture. Process until mixture is smooth and creamy.

Pritikin Halloween Kabobs | Healthy Halloween Party Ideas

How easy! Simply skewer cantaloupe cubes and blackberries. And so easy for the kids to pick up and snack on! (We’re not guaranteeing they’ll forget the sugary treats in their bags, but these colorful kabobs just may do the trick.)

Best Sorority Instagram Contest

It's time for some friendly competition! Instagram has really taken flight over the past few years and now so many people are Instafamous (we can't believe that that is even a word!). We have been loving seeing what all of our sorority readers have been up to all summer via their shared Instagram photos that we want to give you and your house more of a spotlight. From now until August 7th, we want you to prove that your sorority's Instagram page is the best by showing us through pictures how it fits with all six of our site categories: Campus Catwalk (clothes, fashion accessories), Dolled Up (makeup), Big Sis Tips (sisters helping sisters, activities, philanthropy, sisterhood events) Kitchen (cook-offs, exercising, health & wellness), Secret Steals (awesome deals), and Chapter Room (house decor). DM your pictures to us via our Instagram: @thesororitysecrets and the sorority to display the most pictures in all six categories will get a feature on our site. 

Ready...


Set....

 
GO!

Why We Love Hello Fresh

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Um, school is like a month away, but heck, who cares if school is a month away because this particular company is super useful even now when you probably have more time to spare and it's called Hello Fresh. Hello Fresh provides you with the ingredients to make a delicious meal. Delivered fresh and straight to your doorstep (or dorm room!). If you're too busy studying or working your job or internship to go grocery shopping, this is the answer for you!

Sorority Girly Exercises

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With summer halfway over, anyone else not as motivated to work out? When going to the gym or personal trainer starts to lose its luster, we are a huge fan of at home workouts. Of course, we are no expert in the best exercises to do at home, so when we stumbled across Girly Exercises (@girlyexercises) on Instagram we were more than obsessed. The workouts they showcase can be done right at home or at your office! It's amazing how many workouts you can get in with a simple chair and mat! Follow them on Instagram for free and simple workouts!

The Lemon Water Secret

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Our tummies have been at rest ever since we adopted this amazing morning regime: drinking hot lemon water. No lie, our stomachs digest food so much nicer ever since we started our day doing this. We learned from FoodMatters.TV that warm lemon water serves as the perfect ‘good morning drink’, as it aids the digestive system and makes the process of eliminating the waste products from the body easier. It prevents the problem of constipation and diarrhea, by ensuring smooth bowel functions (sorry, TMI!). Try it for yourself and let us know what you think!

5 Foods To Keep You Hydrated

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This summer has been hot, hot, HOT! Like, whoa. We are between Scottsdale and Seattle and with AZ's dry heat and Washington's lack of A/C, this summer has been brutal. But, luckily there's nothing a little hydration can't cure which is why we were so happy to have stumbled across United Healthcare's menu on some hydrating foods to quench your thirst during this summer heat. Check them out below!

Super salads. Watermelon, oranges, tomatoes, cantaloupe, berries, celery and cucumbers are all flush with fluid. These water-rich foods make great low-calorie snacks too!

Berry-delicious smoothies. Add berries — fresh or frozen — to low-fat or fat-free yogurt or milk. Puree in a blender.

Summer salsas. These can be made from vegetables, fruits or a combination of both. Enjoy your favorite variety as a snack — dip into it with cut-up veggies or whole-grain pita chips. Or top grilled fish or chicken with it. Have a sweet tooth? Give orange or pineapple salsa a try.

Chilled soups. You can serve these as a light meal — or as an appetizer or dessert. Here are three cool and soothing options:
Gazpacho. A summertime favorite that's typically rich in tomatoes, cucumber, onion, bell pepper and garlic.
Vichyssoise. This creamy French classic is made with pureed potatoes and leeks. To keep it on the healthful side, use low-fat, low-sodium chicken broth. For an even creamier soup, stir in a little plain low-fat yogurt or low-fat sour cream.
Fruit soups. Strawberries, raspberries and cantaloupe puree nicely. See "Chilled melon soup" for a recipe to try.

Frozen nibbles. Freeze grapes or berries. Grab them for a quick and cold snack.

Do you have a favorite thirst-quenching food or drink for the summer? Share with us below!

Healthy 4th of July Treats

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Yay for our Independence! Even though we celebrate such a major moment in US history, that doesn't mean that we should exercise our freedom to eat poorly this holiday. Consider some healthy 4th of July treats when celebrating with family and friends. Below are some healthy recipe links to help you make some delicious {semi} healthy treats:

Patriotic Popsicles

Red, White, & Blue Trifle Dessert

Basil Hummus Stuffed Mini Bell Peppers

Happy 4th of July cooking!

Staying Fit with the Fit Bit

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Catchy name, right? After we did the update on our phones a while back and noticed that our phone was tracking our footsteps, we've been paying better attention to how active we keep ourselves throughout the day. Apparently, you're supposed to get in 10,000 steps a day believe it or not. Well, unless your phone is with you, your footsteps can't be tracked, so we got wind of an even better tracking device: the Fit Bit! The Fit Bit is an awesome device that looks like a wristband. As you keep it on your wrist it tracks your total steps, showing you your average amount of steps and comparing it to other days that you've walked. The Fit Bit also keeps track of how many miles you have walked and how many calories you have lost. But, that's not even the heart of it all! It can also track your weight change and your sleep patterns! We are even thinking of taking advantage of the competitive feature where you can compete with your friends and family. It has a leaderboard to reflect who is taking the most and least steps.

Talk about motivation! We can't wait to see how much more in shape and healthy we can get! If you're currently using the FitBit, share with us your experience in the comment below!

The Quick & Easy Salsa Recipe for Cinco de Mayo!

With Cinco de Mayo today, we’re scrambling to find the perfect dishes to celebrate the occasion. For those looking for a delicious dish that won’t overwhelm your waistlines, we would love to share a quick and easy recipe from Steve Lindner, go-to healthy chef and founder of Zone Manhattan and the team at bistroMD! Enjoy this delicious salsa recipe with half the calories and sodium; you can indulge without the guilt!

Happy Cinco de Mayo cooking!

BistroMD’s Super Simple Salsa with Avocado

Ingredients

4 plum tomatoes, seeded and diced
1 small, sweet onion, diced
2 jalepeno peppers, seeded and diced
1/2 chopped finely chopped cilantro
1/2 teaspoon of ground cumin
1 haas avocado, cleaned and diced
1 lime, for juice
A pinch of sea salt

Directions:
For this healthy twist on a Cinco de Mayo favorite, all you have to do is combine all of the above ingredients, and chill it in your refrigerator for about one hour.
Pair with a bag of low fat corn chips or veggies, and you are ready to start snacking!

Hungry Girl's Too-Good Tuna N Apple Slaw

Here's another healthy, Hungry Girl's recipe for you to whip up in the kitchen! Try this fun spin on an old favorite to liven up your backyard BBQ bash or sisterhood!

Ingredients

1 (2.6 oz.) Pouch - Albacore White Tuna in Water

2 cups dry broccoli coleslaw

1⁄3 cup chopped apple (about 1⁄2 apple)

2 Tbsp. low-fat sesame ginger dressing

Directions

1. In a medium bowl, mix coleslaw, apple and tuna.

2. Top with dressing and toss to coat.

Enjoy!

Thin Mint Smoothie Recipe

Yes, you read this right: THIN MINT SMOOTHIE RECIPE.

Our mouths watered when UX3 Nutrition shared this tasty, and might we add rather healthy, smoothie recipe! The cool thing about this recipe is that you don't have to wait for Girl Scout season to gets your hands on this type of Thin Mint. Get the recipe below.

Thin Mint Smoothie
Brought to you by UX3 Nutrition

Ingredients:

• 2 cups organic spinach
• 1 cup almond milk
• 2 scoops UX3: The Body Shaping Beverage
• 2 tbsp. unsweetened cocoa powder
• Stevia to taste
• ¼ cup rolled oats
• 5 drops peppermint extract

How to make:
Puree all ingredients until smooth.

That was easy, right?!

Handpick App: The World’s Largest Searchable Collection of Food

We wanted to make sure that you're in the know about the newest app called Handpick. This app allows food lovers access to over 10 million socially shared food posts from Instagram, hundreds of unique food blogs, and top recipe sites. Handpick also recommends ingredient pairings based on what users have on hand. Handpick’s 10 million socially shared food posts include dishes from 1.6 million content creators worldwide. The app makes it easy to save interesting dish posts by adding them to topics which can be shared with others. By following different topics, users get notified when new dishes are added, making Handpick a reliable source for continuously refreshed food content. This means users can find dish topics titled anything from Gluten-free Desserts to 10 Best Superbowl Snacks to 7 Ways To Use Tofu.

With its new approach of curating content from Instagram, Handpick features over 10 million food posts, thus making it the world’s largest searchable collection of food. The company’s editorial team hand-picks the best dishes daily, allowing users to quickly and easily find great dish ideas without having to pore over thousands of results. The new app also allows users to pick and combine over 10,000 ingredients, more than any other food app available.

The Handpick app is available for iOS here!

Happy cooking (and eating)!

Hungry Girl's Grilled & Chilled Veggie Tuna Salad

We are trying to take in more greens so we were so happy to come across this super quick and tasty recipe from Hungry Girls. Their diet-friendly recipes make it easier to eat clean. Below is one of our favorite super green recipes. Find the step by step below!

Ingredients

1 (2.6 oz.) Pouch - Starkist Tuna Creations® Sweet & Spicy

8 thin (or 6 thick) asparagus stalks, tough ends removed, cut into 2-inch pieces

1 cup eggplant cut into 1-inch cubes

One 1⁄2-inch-thick onion slice, rings intact

1⁄2 cup cherry tomatoes

3 cups chopped romaine lettuce

2 Tbsp. light balsamic vinaigrette dressing


Directions

1. Bring a grill pan sprayed with non-stick spray to medium-high heat. Add asparagus, eggplant, and onion. Cook until slightly softened, 6–8 minutes.

2. Flip veggies, and add the cherry tomatoes to the pan. Cook for 4 minutes.

3. Flip tomatoes. Cook until all veggies are soft and slightly blackened, about 2 minutes.

4. Transfer veggies to a medium bowl. Let cool completely.

5. Chop onion. Cover and refrigerate veggies until chilled, at least 30 minutes.

6. Place lettuce on a large plate or in a large bowl and evenly top with chilled vegetables and tuna. Top or serve with dressing. Yum!

10 Best Snacks For Healthy Weight Loss

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Contrary to popular belief, in order to lose weight, you actually have to eat! We are huge advocates for staying fit and in shape, the healthy way. Not eating enough and essentially starving yourself while excessively working out can cause a lot of problems including putting yourself at risk for hypoglycemia. Yahoo! Stories created the perfect article on the '10 Best Snacks For Weight Loss' so we wanted to share them with you so you can make smarter eating choices as you embark on a healthy weight loss journey. Find the ten (10) snacks below as written by Yahoo! Stories!

Hunger Squasher!
WEIGHT LOSS SNACK #10

Wholly Guacamole, 100-calorie pack

100 calories, 9 g fat (1.5 g sat fat), 200 mg sodium, 3 g fiber, 0 g sugar, 1 g protein

Most pre-made guacamole is lacking in one crucial ingredient: guacamole. Avocados, specifically (adios, Ortega). But Wholly Guacamole is what it says it is: real food, with no added oils, starches and artificial colors. Avocados pack in healthy monounsaturated fats that contain oleic acid, which can actually help quiet feelings of hunger. Which means this snack will actually do what afternoon snacks are intended to do: keep you full and focused until dinnertime. And Keep That Waistline Toned and Tight with These Essential 4 Ways to Lose Your Belly in 14 Days!

Waistline Melter!
WEIGHT LOSS SNACK #9

MaraNatha Almond Butter, No Salt, Creamy, 2 Tbsp

190 calories, 17 g fat (1.5 g sat fat), 0 mg sodium, 4 g fiber, 2 g sugar, 7 g protein

Sure, peanut butter is cheaper, but when it comes to weight loss, almond butter is like PB on steroids. In fact, a study from the International Journal of Obesity and Related Metabolic Disorders compared subjects on a low-fat diet with others who followed a diet richer in fat—but the fat was supplied by almonds. The almond group lost 50 percent more weight off their waistlines than the low-fat dieters, despite the fact that both groups consumed the same amount of total calories. Try smearing some over apple slices for a tasty blend of sweet and savory (bonus points if you choose a red apple over green—red fruits have higher nutrient counts).

Belly Filler!
WEIGHT LOSS SNACK #8

SkinnyPop, 3 ¾ cups

150 calories, 10 g fat (1 g sat fat), 75 mg sodium, 3 g fiber, 0 g sugar, 2 g protein

Eat for size, and win the weight-loss prize. “Volumetrics” is an eating plan championed by researchers at Penn State University, and it’s based on eating foods that take up a lot of space in your gut—without a lot of calories. For example, a huge salad—or in this case, nearly 4 cups of popcorn—will leave you more satisfied than a square of chocolate, and for far fewer calories. We love SkinnyPop because it’s free of additives and tasty without being too salty. Fill up, but don’t fill out: Use These Eat This, Not That!-recommended 10 Daily Habits That Blast Belly Fat.

Fat Blocker!
WEIGHT LOSS SNACK #7

KIND Caramel Almond & Sea Salt, 1 bar

200 calories, 16 g fat (3 g sat fat), 125 mg sodium, 7 g fiber, 5 g sugar, 6 g protein

The sweetness of caramel, the fat of almonds, the added sea salt—wait, this is a diet food?! Yes! KIND keeps the sugar content low while packing this bar with healthy fats, which slow the body’s absorption of sugar and carbs, keeping blood sugar levels stable and focus laser-sharp long after snack time is over. A study published in Nutrition Journal found that consuming low-sugar, high-protein snacks promotes weight loss. The reason: Healthy snacking keeps your blood-sugar from spiking, preventing hunger pangs, cravings and body fat storage.

Metabolism Turbocharger!
WEIGHT LOSS SNACK #6

EPIC Grass-Fed Protein Bar, Bison, 1 bar

200 calories, 12 g fat (5 g sat fat), 220 mg sodium, 1 g fiber, 8 g sugar, 11 g protein

Okay, so maybe when you think “snack,” your first thought isn’t “Where can I get me some bison?” But buffalo is much leaner than other meats, and makes for a better jerky, especially when paired with organic spices and dried fruit. Adding low-sugar, high-protein snacks to your daily diet can help fuel weight loss efforts by boosting metabolism and reducing hunger pangs. Just be sure to choose the right protein—for example, click here to discover the shocking truth about How Tilapia Is Worse Than Bacon!

Vitamin Booster!
WEIGHT LOSS SNACK #5

Fage Total 2%, 7 oz

150 calories, 4 g fat (3 g sat fat), 65 mg sodium, 0 g fiber, 8 g sugar, 20 g protein

Packed with protein, crammed with calcium, popping with probiotics, yogurt has all the makings of the best weight loss foods. But tread ye carefully in the aisle of the fermented milk products; manufacturers have a knack for cramming as much sugar and artificial ingredients into yogurt pots as they do candy bars. The next time you find yourself discombobulated in the dairy section, reach for the Fage (pronounced fa-yeh). Not just creamier and more delicious than most yogurts, the brand’s little bit of milkfat in the 2% variety allows your body to absorb the fat-soluble vitamins in the yogurt. Plus, you can’t get a much purer ingredient list than this: milk, cream and cultures.

Belly Fat Fighter!
WEIGHT LOSS SNACK #4

Kashi Original 7 Grain Sea Salt Pita Crisps, 11 crisps

120 calories, 3 g fat (0 g sat fat), 180 mg sodium, 5 g fiber, 2 g sugar, 3 g protein

Pita chips sound more exotic than corn chips, so a lot of us immediately think they must be healthier, too. But step back from that snack: Most brands douse their pita in heavy oils and then roll them in sodium. Kashi’s, on the other hand, have a modest 120 calories and 180 mg sodium per serving. In astudy published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, researchers discovered that obese participants who added whole grains to their diets lost more belly fat than those who did not. One of the key weight-loss benefits of whole grains: their healthy dose of fiber helps slow digestion, keeping you fuller longer. And to enjoy your guilty pleasures, guilt-free,Indulge in These 10 Best Junk Foods for Weight Loss.

Bloat Buster!
WEIGHT LOSS SNACK #3

Eden Organic Pumpkin Seeds, ¼ cup

200 calories, 16 g fat (3 g sat fat), 100 mg sodium, 5 g fiber, 0 g sugar, 10 g protein

Not only are they loaded with protein and fiber, but pumpkin seeds are also one of the world’s best sources of magnesium, a mineral that helps strengthen bones and improve blood circulation. In addition to a generous portion of satiating protein, one ounce of the tiny seeds serves up 75 percent of your day’s magnesium, which can ward off water retention (read: no more bloated belly). The nutrient can also help relax your blood vessels, nixing deadline-induced headaches.

Calorie Burner!
WEIGHT LOSS SNACK #2

Horizon Organic Mozzarella String Cheese, 1 stick

80 calories, 6 g fat (3.5 g sat fat), 200 mg sodium, 0 g fiber, 0 g sugar, 8 g protein

Each low-fat stick of this brand has a fifth of your day’s calcium intake, which means a low-fat you as well. Some researchers speculate that dairy calcium helps fight fat because it increases the “thermic effect” of eating—in other words, you burn more calories digesting calcium-rich foods than you would if you ate something with the same number of calories, but no calcium. Try a piece of pre-sliced, low-fat cheese like mozzarella or Monterey Jack with some wheat crackers, recommends Christine M. Palumbo, a Chicago-based dietician. “Cracked Pepper and Olive Oil Triscuits work great for this and have a really nice flavor,” she says. She can even help you lose weight at MickeyD’s; check out What 8 Diet Experts Eat at McDonald’s.

Chocolate Belly Melter!
WEIGHT LOSS SNACK #1

Vitalicious VitaBrownie, 1 brownie

100 calories, 2 g fat (0.5 g sat fat), 105 mg sodium, 10 g fiber, 10 g sugar, 4 g protein

With VitaBrownies, you can satisfy your craving for something sweet at any time of the day without sabotaging your diet. Each chocolaty square packs 8 grams of whole grains—a dietary staple of people with the littlest middles. A Public Health Nutrition study found that participants who ate three or more servings of whole grains had 10 percent less belly fat than people who ate the same amount of calories from refined carbs (like bad-for-you brownies). When it comes to diet and snacking, being unrefined is a good thing!

Happy healthy eating!