For me, the most difficult thing about trying to lose weight is that I can’t eat the rich, fattening, and (let’s face it) yummy snacks that I crave. If I give in and eat these foods, I’m plagued by guilt. It really is a no-win situation.

Thankfully, I’ve found a few reliable foods I can keep on hand when a craving comes along. They might not always completely suppress the urge for a huge piece of chocolate cake, but they help take the edge off, and best of all, I don’t have to feel guilty for a week after indulging in these tasty treats!

The following foods are my staple dieting snacks. I always keep these things on hand, and I’ve noticed that when I run out of several of these foods, I tend to reach for fattier, guilt-inducing snacks. I’ve also come to realize that I have two types of snack cravings: sweet and savory. I have broken up the list accordingly, to help you when your next snack attack hits.

Sweet

Whipped Topping: I’m talking about the non-dairy white stuff that you can find in your freezer section, the stuff millions of Americans put on their pumpkin pies each Thanksgiving. I prefer the fat-free version, which contains only 15 calories and 3 grams of carbohydrates per serving. I usually keep two tubs of the stuff, one in the freezer, and one in the fridge. It’s really handy to plop on a lackluster bowl of fruit, and when frozen, fat-free whipped topping tastes a lot like gourmet ice cream! I love to place it between two graham cracker halves for an impromptu "ice cream" sandwich.

Sugar-Free Pudding: I can’t stick to a low-guilt diet without sugar-free pudding! I adore chocolate fudge varieties, and my favorite treat is to make a "chocolate mousse" by mixing equal parts thawed whipped topping and sugar-free chocolate fudge pudding. Out of this world!

Chocolate Syrup: Did you know that this favorite childhood milk flavoring is fat-free? Sometimes, I just need a little something sweet. In those instances, I mix myself a small chocolate milk, or drizzle chocolate syrup on a bit of frozen whipped topping.

Special K Chocolatey Delight: Someone at Kellogg’s® is a genius! I can’t believe it took so long for a cereal with chocolate chunks to arrive on the market! Special K® Chocolatey Delight is surprisingly good and killed my chocolate craving successfully. If you buy this cereal, keep the box away from hot spots, as the chocolate can melt. Also, the flakes get soggy fast, so don’t pour on the milk until you’re ready to sit down and enjoy!

Savory

Beef Jerky: Where would I be without beef jerky? It’s low in fat and high in protein, and unsurpassed for flavor! It also keeps my jaw working, satisfying my need to chew.

Chickpeas: Also known as garbanzo beans, I love to eat these little lovelies baked! Here’s how: Grab a 15.5 ounce can of chickpeas and drain well. Pat dry with paper towels. Season however you like (I mix them with half a one ounce packet of dry ranch dressing mix). Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven, stirring the chickpeas every 15 minutes. Keep them cooking until they’re as crispy as you’d like. Sometimes I cook mine for an hour, which makes them really crunchy. Usually I cook them for 45 minutes, which leaves them a little soft and very flavorful. My kids hang around my kitchen like little vultures when I’m baking chickpeas!

Flat Earth ® Farmland Cheddar Baked Veggie Crisps: I got the chance to try these amazing chips the other day, and was very impressed! You’d never know there’s half a serving of veggies in every ounce! Very cheesy, crunchy, and oh-so-yummy!

What are your favorite low-guilt snack foods?