Le low calorie snack for Le Tour

If you are planning to watch all of the Tour action live, then you are going to have to set your alarm clock for a very early morning start. You'll need some energy giving snacks to help sustain you during all the excitement. But watch what you eat! This collection does not include red wine or blue cheese, just healthy, natural foods and every snack is less than 200 calories. Enjoy!

  • Mini pizza. Take half a low fat English muffin, preferably whole wheat, add a teaspoon of tomato paste, a couple of slices of low fat, thinly sliced ham, a large field mushroom and a slice of low fat tasty cheese. Put under the griller until browned and warm. Then serve with a pinch of freshly ground black pepper.
  • Banana mashed on fruit toast - my all time favourite and what I eat pre-race. Mash a medium sized banana on top of a slice of toasted fruit toast. You can get the toaster out on your way to the TV remote control.
  • Single serve instant oatmeal/porridge with low fat milk (choose the low sugar variety). Cook in the microwave and you have a lovely, warming snack to enjoy.
  • Hard-boiled eggs at only 75 calories per egg. Try a rice cake topped with hard-boiled egg and tomato slices. Keep an ear out for the timer on the eggs so they are not too hard. Then peel in front of the TV while barracking for your favourite tour team.
  • Hummus and carrot/celery sticks. Tired of munching on plain cut up veggies. Add hummus, a Mediterranean chickpea and garlic dip, for an exotic flare for only 25 calories per tablespoon.
  • Baked potato and lite sour cream. Microwave a medium potato then add a tablespoon of fat free sour cream (or plain yoghurt) and salsa! A medium sized potato = 160 calories approx.
  • Low fat yoghurt and fruit. A 100g container of low fat yoghurt with a ½ cup of berries or cranberries. Grab these delights out of the fridge on your way to the lounge. Take a cosy blanket with you to warm yourself while waiting for the heater to kick in.
  • Soup. I prefer the canned varieties. Low fat and with plenty of wholesome foods in them. Get that toaster out again and add a piece of whole-wheat or seeded bread. When cooked, dip into your bowl of soup or crumble on top. Choose the 97% fat free variety. It takes less then two minutes to heat in the microwave. Plenty of time to plump those couch cushions!
  • Low fat cottage cheese and an apple. Slice an apple such as a Granny Smith, Fuji or my favourite, Pink Lady then add half a cup of low fat cottage cheese. Plenty of protein and fibre in this snack.
  • Toasted cheese and tomato on rye bread. Back with the toaster again! Place one slice of low fat cheese, and a couple of slices of tomato on an already toasted piece of rye bread. Then lightly grill. Add a sprig of fresh coriander if you have it handy, then a sprinkle of freshly ground pepper and salt. This dish provides extra calcium and protein as well as fibre to your diet.

These delicious snacks can be made for anytime you are feeling a little peckish. It has been shown that sensible snacking actually helps your weight loss, as you are less prone to over eating at main meal times.

Snacking on healthy wholesome foods also helps maintain your energy and stabilises your blood sugar levels. Don't sabotage your efforts to eat sensibly by consuming a full cream milk hot chocolate or other high fat beverage with your 200-calorie snack. Keep you selection to a soothing green tea, or even a no sugar diet drink if you want a bit of fizz.

Vive la tour!

Next month: low fat, high energy snacks to take on your long rides.