Cooking With Herbs and Spices: Quick and Easy Low-Calorie Snack Recipes

Eating low-calorie snacks will not only nourish and strengthen your body, but will also help you maintain a healthy weight. Here are 3 must-try herbs and spices snack recipes with only 400 calories or less:

Peppered Turkey Wraps

What you need:

• 12 10-inch whole wheat flour tortillas
• 1/4 kg. deli turkey, sliced
• 1 head lettuce
• 2 cups minced tomatoes
• 2 cups shredded carrots
• 1 cup cream cheese
• 1/2 cup ranch dressing
• 1/2 tsp. dried herbs
• 1/4 tsp. ground black pepper

Rub the turkey slices with dried herbs and black pepper. Set aside. In a small bowl, combine cream cheese and ranch dressing, stir until well-blended. Spread each flour tortilla with cream cheese and ranch dressing mixture then top with lettuce leaves followed by herbed turkey slices. Sprinkle carrots and tomatoes over the turkey then roll the tortillas to make wraps. Cut each wrap diagonally to make bite-sized pieces then secure with a toothpick. Bake in a pre-heated oven over medium heat for 4-5 minutes or until tortillas are lightly browned. Serve immediately. Ideal for vegetable chips or low-calorie nacho chips.

Herbs and Spices Pomegranate Salsa

What you need:

• 1 pomegranate, peeled and membranes removed
• 1 1/2 bunches flat leaf parsley, chopped
• 1 1/2 bunches fresh cilantro, chopped
• 1 1/2 sprigs fresh mint leaves, chopped
• 1 tomato, diced
• 1 red onion, chopped
• 1 serrano pepper, chopped
• 1 jalapeno pepper, chopped
• 6 tbsps. fresh lime juice
• 2 tbsps. olive oil
• 2 tsps. grated lime zest
• Salt and ground white pepper to taste

Combine pomegranate, parsley, cilantro, mint, tomato, onion, serrano pepper, jalapeno pepper, lime juice, olive oil and lime zest in a medium bowl. Stir to combine ingredients well. Season with salt and white pepper. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours. Serve chilled.

Cheesy Herbs Tomato Sandwich

What you need:

• 1 whole-grain bagel
• 3/4 cups low fat cottage cheese
• 1 orange
• 4 slices tomato
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 2 tbsps. chopped fresh chives
• Salt and pepper to taste

Place cottage cheese in a blender or food processor and puree until smooth. Transfer cheese in a small bowl then add garlic and chives. Season with salt and pepper. Toast bagel to desired doneness then cut in half. Spread cream herbed cottage cheese on 1 half of the bagel and top with tomato slices. Top with the other half of bagel to make a sandwich. Serve or consume with orange slices.

Make it a habit to snack healthy and start with these fuss-free low-calorie snacks with all-natural herbs and spices.