I have been a little out of control in the snacking department lately.
Okay, always.
But this week has been extra ‘bad’ = full of potato chips and chocolate chips on omelets – Busted!
I have always said snacking is my biggest challenge for healthy eating. I am Snacky McSnackerson. And that’s not horrible if 80% of my snacks were healthy – which, admittedly they’re NOT.
Recently Aveeno asked me to be part of their Beautiful Change Challenge. The first part was finding ways to make time to exercise.
The second Beautiful Change Challenge is to find ways to eat healthier food for a healthier body.
So, I’ve decided to give myself a Healthy Snack Challenge and plan my snacks for the next 30 days in an effort to stop grazing and get back on track with clean eating.
Today I’m swapping out classic buffalo wings for Cauliflower Wings – I saw these at the Natural Products Expo I got pretty excited.
A healthy snack that seems indulgent! Up.my.alley.
Cauliflower Buffalo Wings Recipe
This is super easy too – I just used a head of cauliflower, buffalo wing sauce, garlic, salt and pepper.
Wash and cut the cauliflower in half. Then, break off the stalks so they look like ‘buffalo wings’.
Place on an oiled baking sheet and season. Roast at 400 degrees for 20-25 minutes, tossing half way through.
When they’re done toss in your favorite buffalo sauce.
Warning: Your boyfriend / husband / internet lover will not think these replace “real” buffalo wings. Which they don’t – but they are a yummy alternative when you’re trying to be healthy!
Dip. Eat. Repeat.
For the next 30 days I’ll be sharing my snacks on Instagram / Twitter to keep me honest. More than anything my goal is to stick to 2 planned snacks and not graze on chocolate chips all day. Anyone want to join in on this challenge?
Question: How many snacks a day do you eat?
Disclosure: Compensation was provided by Aveeno via Glam Media. The
opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Aveeno.
John says
“cut the cauliflower so it looks like buffalo wings” – I don’t think they look like wings at all and I have never seen a flying cauliflower 🙂
Joke aside, it looks delicious and a great alternative to the fried chicken wing version.
– John
Sue says
Two – one mid morning and another one during tea time. I’m pretty ok with my snacks (generally). Snacks are usually crackers with PB or a granola bar.
BTW, I’m wondering if I could use broccoli instead of cauliflower for this?
Shay @ Whine Less, Breathe More says
I don’t eat meat, so this is a great snack option for me to try. Thanks for the idea!
I try to snack on something every couple of hours. I find this keeps me from getting so hungry that I don’t overdo it when it comes mealtime.
Manny says
Wow! Great idea..I’ve already got a very good buffalo wings recipe, just gotta get the cauliflower.
Good one, thanks.
Lindsey @ Run Freckles Run says
So I already love cauliflower raw, so this alternative seems to die for! I will def be trying this recipe!
And I have also been snacking like crazy. Typically, I’ll have 2 or 3 snacks a day. Usually healthy snacks, but sometimes not.
Patty says
These look amazing! I think I might have to try them this weekend!
Presh says
Oh my GAWD I am also a McSnackerson! Let’s start a club!
I suck so bad *goes to grab a couple crackers*
It’s insane. Sometimes it’s not bad stuff like I’ll grab a handful of grapes
but other times i’ll grab a handful of dark chocolate goji berries
oopsy.
And this week has been BAD!
I need to get back on track as well!
I hope I can try some of your more healthier snacks
I love spicy food
So going to try this!!
Good luck on the next 30 days!
jen says
ooomg i live for buffalo flavored anything. making these tonight!
Susan says
I’m pretty good at NOT snacking or at least making healthy choices. However after lunch today I was roaming around the office to see if anyone had any chocolate. Thankfully no one did so I ate a granola bar & apple. I usually have 2 (some times 3) snacks a day.
Breakfast
Snack – usually a piece of citrus
Lunch
Snack – depends daily
Dinner
Snack – if it’s not too late
Jojo says
I used to snack a TON, but nowadays, I prefer to eat 3 meals a day. I usually get hungry mid-afternoon in between classes, so I’ll grab a banana or something. Since I eat lunch around 11:30-12-ish, I tend to eat dinner pretty early.
Sarah says
Add me to the bad snacker list. I don’t go for chips or candy, but I always eat up a ton of calories with things like PB/crackers, cheese, etc. I am definitely going to try out this recipe!! 🙂
heather @ run eat play says
I usually eat mini meals all day. But I always have a post workout snack and an afternoon snack…and a treat after dinner 🙂
Sarah says
Well, the food scientists just came out and said that they have devised the perfect chemical combination that tastes a-freaking-mazing but always leaves you wanting more… so that could be an important component of your snacking problem. Those dang chips will get you every time!
Shannon in Tustin says
Always have a mid-morning snack since I eat my oatmeal with almond milk, flax and PB at 6am. I try not to snack again until after my late afternoon/early evening run cause then my tummy doesn’t feel so great. But when I’m done running, I’m ravenous and end up snacking while I get dinner on the table….FAIL!!!
**but I typically eat less at dinner (to compensate) if I’ve been snacking while I prep. that leaves leftovers for lunch the next day. WIN!!
Happy Friday 😀
Quix says
What a BRILLIANT idea, I’m making these next week (any excuse I have to use wing sauce is a great). If I’m craving wings for dinner, I just usually grill a chicken breast and douse it in sauce (I’ve noticed I don’t really like the wings, just the sauce). You can even fry it in a little coconut oil if you want a little healthy crisp.
marnee says
you realize those are not wings, right? calling them buffalo wings is a lie.
Kate says
I’m a huge snacker, and unfortunately, my guiltiest pleasure is cheese and crackers, not the healthiest option! Definitely will try this recipe, I’ve seen it on Pinterest a bunch of times and keep meaning to give it a shot!
Rachel S. says
I figured out that I snack way more at home on the weekends than I do at work. I try to keep healthy snacks at work, but the bad ones keep winning out.
Katie says
Snack on chocolate chips all day? How did you know? I do that all the time. Snacking is my huge problem with healthy eating too. The buffalo cauliflower is pretty intriguing though!
Karen @ Runner Girl Eats says
I made buffalo chicken tacos last night. Love buffalo sauce 🙂 I am usually pretty good about snacks. I stick to fruits and veggies with a glass of milk or hummus/peanut butter for some protein.
Maureen @ Breaking Free & Finding Me says
yum! I love buffalo sauce! I’ve been snacking too much lately too. I’ve been having at least 3 snacks, sometimes 4! I’m going to try to stick to 2 as well!
Laura @ A Girl's Gotta Balance says
Definitely need to try the buffalo cauliflower – thanks for sharing! As for snacking, I usually do okay during the day choosing healthy snacks unless someone brings goodies to share at work – then I’m in trouble! Also my late night snacking is worse. Earlier this week I baked brownies knowing full well that I would be eating one each night!
Marie says
Monica, Monica, Monica! No self-respecting person would use anything other than Frank’s sauce in any Buffalo wing recipe. This does look good though. I douse my cooked broccoli in Franks, so same idea. But, you MUST use Frank Red Hot. That Target stuff is an abomination! 😉
Deb says
WOW – that looks awesome, I.Must.Try.
My problem is that I get hungry in like 3 seconds, and must.eat.now. I can’t wait to the 20 minutes until something is done. I know = blah, blah, blah. I graze all day long – usually somewhat healthy tho. I don’t Twitter or Instagram – can you blog snacks also? You’re the best!
Kelly@ShapeDaily says
Yum! I’ve been craving the taste of buffalo recently and my usual go-to during football season is buffalo chicken dip, but its terribly unhealthy. These actually look really good! During the week I’m not too bad about snacking because I’m so busy, its the weekends when I’m lounging around watching TV when its bad. I could eat a whole bag of pistachio’s in one sitting.
Heather @ pass the dressing says
How’s that wing sauce taste-wise and health-wise?
runeatrepeat says
Eh. <- my immediate reaction. I don't love this hot sauce, but I'm more of a Cholula or Sriracha girl anyway.
Elizabeth @ Positive Change says
I am not a big snacker, I have one at night, typically popcorn and an apple.
mary @ minutes per mile says
I think I eat 2-3 snacks a day. If you count my 5 a.m. pre-workout piece of toast as a “snack” ? Since I work in an office, I pack what I want to eat for the day and don’t have any cabinets full of snacks nearby to tempt me so it is pretty easy to not go snack crazy! I also eat a massive breakfast which I’ve found makes me less snack-y throughout the day.
Christine Sailer says
I’m totally in on the healthy snack challenge! I do pretty good during the day it’s the time after dinner that gets me!
Ashley @ Eat Run Live Happy says
Snacks are always my downfall. I find that if I eat carbs for snacks (anything sweet) I crave more and more and end up over eating. If I eat something like string cheese… I crave something sweet. It’s like a double edged sword. Unless I’m really busy all day… I snack and snack.
Jessica @ From the Kitchen to the Road says
A other good cauliflower recipe. I think my husband would like that. He likes cauliflower and buffalo wings. Perfection.
meredith says
I biggest time to snack is while I am making dinner! I end up eating half of the vegetables as they are roasting/cooking. I am constantly picking at them, “just to taste and see if they are almost done”. Not a bad snack habit but kinda takes away from what is made for dinner!
HCG Canada@HCGCanadaGroup says
Great! I will sure try this recipe in my regular diet plan. Thanks for sharing such a nice information with us.
Karoline says
I snack on carob chips~! all. day. long.
Karoline says
(and i justify it by saying they’re healthier than chocolate chips..)
Fizz says
Mmmmmm chocolate chips!
Mary says
These look great…they’ll trick the mind!
I try and take two snacks to work with me…one for the morning and one for the afternoon…they do tend to be reasonably healthy…fresh fruit or nut boxes. BUT…if I forget my snacks, I end up raiding the sweet box at work in my breaks!
kimberly says
I’m a horrible snacker too, but I try to keep them healthy (nuts and dried fruit, real fruit, homemade granola) but even then I don’t know portion control, especially with the nuts. I’m gonna try my hardest to do this challenge with you, especially with my wedding coming up in May! That dress isn’t going to walk down the aisle itself!
Erin says
Okay, since I didn’t comment on the last post, my confession is that I gave up chocolate for lent, but for a few days straight, I was grazing on chocolate chips like it was going out of style. Part of this is fueled by going strict Paleo a month ago and jonesing for snackage HARD. This is right up my alley. I have been overdosing on cauliflower lately, but I like what you did here!
Lindsay @FitandAwesome says
Those look good! I am a big snacker, too. It’s my downfall as well. My meals are always healthy. Snacks are harder. I am going to follow you on Instagram! Look for me on there. I’m @LTsurf.