Simple, Delicious Veggie Dips

Question: Lately, eating has become downright hard for me.  Oops, that’s a typo.  Eating is actually downright easy for me, but I tend to overindulge, even with healthy stuff.  Any ideas for light, but filling snacks?

Answer: I wish my answer to this was different (e.g. Yes! Here are my favorite calorie-free chips, cookies, fries…) but unfortunately there’s only one way to snack without packing on the pounds: eat veggies.  Veggies are bulky, filling if you eat a lot, and very low in calories, so you can snack on them almost endlessly.  To make veggie-snacking more exciting, try them with the following healthy dips (just make sure to portion out your dip, as it can add up):

Easy Veggie Dip Recipes

1. Tsaziki – One 16 oz container lowfat greek yogurt, 1 hothouse cucumber (shredded & squeezed in paper towel to release  excess water) salt, chopped fresh mint.
2. Pesto Cheese Dip – 1 cup Low-fat ricotta cheese w/ 2 Tbsp pesto, blended in a food processor or blender until smooth & creamy.
3. Buttermilk Blue (or Feta) Cheese Dressing – 1 cup low-fat buttermilk, 1/4 cup crumbled blue or feta cheese, juice of 1/2 a lemon, 2 Tbsp Light Mayo, handful of fresh Italian parsley leaves, chopped — whisk together in bowl.
4. Creamy Goat Cheese Dressing – 1 cup low-fat milk, 3 oz soft goat cheese — whisk together in bowl with salt, pepper, and fresh chopped basil
5. Caramelized Onion Dip – 16 oz container of nonfat Greek yogurt w/ 3/4 cup caramelized onions (saute 2 large onions over low heat in 1 Tbsp olive oil w/ salt for 15-20 minutes, then add splash of balsamic vinegar & fresh thyme leaves, or 1/2 tsp dried thyme).
6. Smoky Bean Dip – in food processor (or bowl), blend 1/2 cup salsa verde, 1 can low-fat refried black beans, 1 tsp cumin, juice of 1 lime, 1/4 cup Light cream cheese, few dashes of hot sauce.
7. Spinach Artichoke Dip – 1 can drained artichoke hearts (chopped), one 10-oz bag frozen chopped spinach (thawed & well-drained), 1/2 cup Lowfat mayo, 1 cup Greek yogurt, juice of 1/2 lemon, 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, salt & pepper — put in baking dish, sprinkle with 2 Tbsp Parm cheese, then bake at 350 until bubbly. Can reheat in microwave or eat cold.
8. Spicy Nacho Dip – 1/2 cup chipotle or roasted tomato salsa mixed with 1 cup nonfat Greek yogurt and small pinch each of cumin & chili powder.  Add chopped black olives & green onions if desired.

Tasty Store-Bought Dips

1. Sabra Hummus with Pine Nuts from Costco
2. Cilantro-jalapeno hummus from Trader Joe’s (TJ’s)
3. Tsaziki from TJ’s
4. White bean & basil hummus from TJ’s
5. Roasted garlic hummus from Whole Foods (the one in their deli section that’s made in the store)
6. Whole Foods Kalamata Olive Tapenade (365 brand in a jar)

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