Light bites for bikini bodies

By Katie Gormley

woman eating Aiming for a beautiful bikini body this summer does not mean you have to go hungry. In fact, eating little and often is the key to maintaining a good metabolism. So get snacking on these tasty treats

Dips glorious dips...

Salsa
Either homemade if you're a kitchen whiz or shop bought if you're short of time, salsa is a great low-calorie snack, perfect for livening up chicken breasts and salads.

Yoghurt and Dill/Cucumber
So delicious you'll be looking for the catch. Luckily there isn't one.

Bio-yoghurt Dill Cucumber

You can add both or just one. Give it a try and see what you like best. Yoghurt and dill is a particularly good topping on baked potatoes too.

Something crunchy to go with them...

Oat cakes are great and are no longer limited to health food stores. They have a low GI (glycemic index) therefore helping you feel fuller for longer. They come in a range of flavours and taste excellent either on their own or with your dips.

Better than crisps...
This is a number one favourite of mine as it's so tasty and a far better alternative to crisps. Give them a try and you'll never buy processed crisps again.

What you need:

Wholemeal pitta Mixed herbs Olive oil

Instructions

Heat up the oven to about 180/200F Cut up the wholemeal pitta into triangles Place the pittas into a baking dish, sprinkle with the mixed herbs and splash a little olive oil over them Cook in the oven Give them a bit of a shake around every 5 minutes or so to ensure they are evenly cooked They should be done in about 10 - 15 minutes or until golden brown and crispy

Pretzels
While not totally angelic, they are the lesser of many evils.

Popcorn
If you can make it at home all the better, otherwise you can get organic popcorn if you shop around.

Nuts
Nuts are such a great food as they provide a natural high source of protein and contain 'good' fats. There are however a few pitfalls with nuts that you need to be wary of. They are high in calories, (15 cashew nuts contain 180 calories). In light of this, a small handful is enough. Also, be cautious of salty, cheap versions. 'Dry roasted' or 'with' any kind of flavour are off limits.