Protecting Your Pennies

Buy Smart. Plan. Play

Snacks

Sour Patch Grapes – THM E – Weight Watchers Blue Zero Points

by Leave a Comment

Sour Patch grapes are a cleaner version of the two ingredient sugar free Jello grapes that are widely used on Weight Watchers. 

Sour Patch Grapes - THM E WW 0

Combining Trim Healthy Mama and Weight Watchers is something that I’ve done recently. I’m trying to combine the things that I like from THM and apply it to the principles of WW. So because of that, I’ve been following a lot of TikTok accounts that focus on Weight Watchers. 

And I’ve seen a lot of WW people making Jello grapes. It is an incredibly easy, 2 ingredient concept that makes yummy candy like grapes and they cost you 0 points on WW Blue. And I loved the idea. 

However, I can’t have aspartame. Like literally can’t. It makes me very ill and regardless, it isn’t a THM approved sweetener anyway. But you can make a THM approved version of these sour patch grapes just as easy as the “Jello” version. 

Affiliate Links are used in this post. A small commission may be paid to me at no extra cost to you and that helps to support this page. Please see my disclosures page for additional information.

Sour Patch Grapes – THM E – WW Blue 0 Points

Making these sour patch grapes is about a 3 minute chore plus the freeze time. Ya’ll know I love a good easy THM dessert and this fits the bill! 

More Easy THM Desserts:

Sour Patch “Jello” Grapes Ingredients:

  • Simply Delish Jello
  • Grapes 
  • Gallon Ziplock bag 
@protectingyourpennies

#jellogrape #wwblueplan💙 #trimhealthymama

♬ original sound – Protecting Your Pennies


The key to aspartame free Jello grapes is using the Simply Delish jel. There are several different flavor options and it uses on plan sweeteners. 

Some purists don’t like some of the ingredients but they don’t bother me. 

Where to Buy Simply Delish?

I have always purchased this on Amazon but recently I’ve seen it online at my grocery store. However, it isn’t on the shelf at my grocery store, you have to order for shipping. 

Making Sugar Free Candy Grapes 

These sour patch grapes hardly even require a recipe! 

Wash your grapes, pull them off the stem and place them in a gallon zip lock bag. 

Dump into the bag one package of Simply Delish jello. You can use any flavor that you like! 

Seal the bag and Shake! Shake! Shake! 

Place the bag of grapes in the freezer for at least an hour. 

Enjoy your sour patch grapes with zero guilt! I like to let them soften up just a bit (maybe 5-10 minutes) before I eat them. They are a little sticky so bring a napkin if you are enjoying in your car! 

I also love that they keep for a long time in the freezer so it is a fun thing to do if you have some grapes that are close to going bad. 

 

Keto Toffee Glazed Pecans – THM S

by Leave a Comment

If you love the smell of those roasted glazed nuts at the mall but hate the sugar, you have got to make these Keto toffee glazed pecans! All the taste and none of the guilt.

Keto Toffee Candied Pecans

The key to sticking to my low carb plan is to stay prepared for those hangry moments that happen. For me it is usually between 5 & 6 pm when I’m blankly staring into my pantry and trying to make dinner magically appear. 

Starvation kicks in and I need something to snack on while dinner cooks (or while I continue to stare wishing I knew what to cook)! 

Just by prepping for a few minutes a week, I set myself up for success instead of failure. I can skip the Cheetos that my kiddos love and have a couple of these deliciously decadent Keto toffee glazed pecans while I search for supper. They are also great for a sweet dessert treat after a meal too. 

(Affiliate Links are used in this post. A small commission may be paid to me at no extra cost to you and that helps to support this page. Please see my disclosures page for additional information.)

Keto Toffee Glazed Pecans

Candied Pecans - Low Carb - THM S

These candied pecans taste like they can’t possibly be good for you! Seriously, they are that tasty. 

But by creating a sugar free coating, these Keto toffee glazed pecans are completely on plan for your low carb or Trim Healthy Mama S meal. 

How To Make Low Carb Candied Pecans

Low Carb Pecans - Trim Healthy Mama S

To make these nuts you will need the following items:

Kitchen Utensils that you will use:

  • Saucepan
  • Medium Mixing Bowl
  • Parchment Paper
  • Baking Sheet 

Glazing & Roasting the Nuts 

You start these Keto toffee glazed pecans on the stove and finish them in the oven to create the perfect candied coating. 

And the best part is that it isn’t difficult or time consuming to make. I’ve made those recipes before that roast low and slow for an hour or so. I don’t know about you but I don’t have time for that when it comes to low carb snacks. 

So these nuts are ready in just about 15 minutes start to finish. 

Begin by melting the butter, Swerve and salt in a medium saucepan. Heat until the mixture begins to boil. 

Once it starts boiling, set a timer for 5 minutes and stir continuously. The mixture will thicken and become syrupy. 

After 5 minutes, remove from heat and mix in the pecan halves. Stir gently to ensure that all of the nuts are covered in the toffee mixture. 

Keto Glazed Pecans

Spread the pecans onto a baking sheet that has been lined with parchment paper (this will make your life so much easier when it is time to clean up). 

Bake in a 350 degree preheated oven for 5 minutes. 

Remove the pecans and allow to cool on the counter for a few minutes. Once they have cooled slightly, move the pan to the fridge for at least an hour. 

Break any large clumps of pecans apart and place in an airtight container to store. 

Low Carb Toffee Sugar Free Pecans

Want More THM/Keto/Low Carb Recipes? 

Print Recipe
 Keto Toffee Glazed Pecans - THM S
Servings
people
Ingredients
Servings
people
Ingredients
Instructions
  1. Preheat the oven to 350 Degrees.
  2. Melt the butter, Swerve and salt in a medium saucepan over medium heat until it starts to boil, stirring occasionally.
  3. Once it starts to boil, set a timer for 5 minutes and stir constantly.
  4. The mixture will bubble and start to look frothy. Continue to stir for the full five minutes. The mixture will thicken some and look syrupy.
  5. Remove from heat and pour in the pecan halves. Coat all of the pecans.
  6. Spread the pecans onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
  7. Place in oven for 4-5 minutes to roast the pecans.
  8. Allow to cool on the counter top for a few minutes. Then transfer the pan to the fridge for about an hour to allow the pecans to set up.
  9. You can then move the pecans to an airtight container or ziplock bag. They can stay on the counter for about a week.

 

Low Carb Dips for Pork Rinds

by 2 Comments

Are you loving that you can have crunchy store bought pork rinds on your low carb lifestyle but struggling to find something to dip those little piggies in?

29 easy low carb, THM S and keto friendly dips are listed below to help you in your snack sessions.

Easy Keto Dips to Eat With Pork Rinds - Low Carb THM S

29 Low Carb Dips for Pork Rinds. Some with cream cheese and some that are sour cream based. Great dips for pork rinds or veggies on a low carb, keto or THM S diet.
29 THM S Dips For Your Pork Rinds. All of these dips are easy to make and can be used in an S meal or snack.

Affiliate Links are used in this post. A small commission may be paid to me at no extra cost to you and that helps to support this page. Please see my disclosures page for additional information.

What is the hardest part of staying Low carb or Keto for you? For me it is when I am invited to some type of social event. There are always tons of yummy dips and treats there to tempt me off my diet.

Instead of  falling off the wagon, just take one of these yummy low carb dips for pork rinds and a big bag of skins to curb your need to dip!

Low Carb Dips for Pork Rinds

Creamy and cheesy dips are one of the best part of a keto/low carb diet, right? They are so decadent and taste like you are cheating! But what do you dip into those delicious dips? Pork rinds of course.

And I have a low carb confession. I really don’t enjoy pork skins plain. I like the crunch that they provide but the taste is just a bit overpowering for me. So I find that some kind of dip really helps to mellow out the pork rind’s flavor.

I actually don’t follow a Keto or low carb specific diet. I have lost 60 lbs postpartum following the Trim Healthy Mama Plan. On THM, they recommend that you eat every 3 hours.

Although there are several things on the plan that I don’t do, if I do eat an afternoon snack some of these dips are easy enough to be used then!

And if you are joining here on the THM journey, all of these are going to be used with “S” meals or snacks.

Dip Ideas for Pork Skins

Guacamole

Tuna Salad

Siete Dairy Free Cashew Queso

Brami Lupini Hummus

Ranch Dressing mixed with hot sauce

Tzatziki

Salsa

Egg Salad

Buffalo Chicken Dip

Buffalo Chicken Jalapeno Popper Dip

Easy Pimento Cheese

Sour cream, lime juice and hot sauce

Roasted Cauliflower Hummus – great option when traditional hummus is not friendly on the carbs.

Grilled Avocado Hummus

Warm Ranch Crack Chicken Dip

Mississippi Sin Dip

Mustard

Chicken Salad

Slow Cooker Spinach and Artichoke dip

Cheese Dip

Salsa mixed with Sour Cream

Crab Dip

Sausage Cream Cheese Rotel

Cream Cheese sprinkled with Everything Bagel Seasoning

Creamy Feta And Roasted Red Pepper Dip

Creamy Cheddar Bacon Dip (just omit the Ritz & sub your Pork Rinds)

3 Layer Mexican Dip

Cuban Ham Spread

Dill Dip 

Instant Pot Hot Onion Dip 

Chorizo Pizza Dip

So if you are like me and don’t just LOVE pork rinds, try them with some delicious dip. And then bread your pork chops with them too!

THM Store Bought Desserts

by 2 Comments

Looking for easy THM store bought desserts that you can grab at your local grocery store or on Amazon?

This huge list will give you tons of options that you can treat yourself with while staying on plan and not having to bake a thing. 

23 Store Bought THM Desserts

If you have been on THM for a little bit, you may be seeking some easy ideas for sweet treats after a meal. One of the fun things about Trim Healthy Mama is that you can have your cake and eat it too! 

And while there on tons of treats that you can make at home, sometimes an on plan store bought dessert is just what you need to make it through. Eat it at home, keep some in your purse or at the office to always be able to make good choices when that sweet tooth hits. 

(Affiliate Links are used in this post. A small commission may be paid to me at no extra cost to you and that helps to support this page. Please see my disclosures page for additional information.)

THM Store Bought Desserts 

I struggled with whether or not I should write this post. Mostly because I don’t want to discourage you from trying the plan because a lot of these items listed are expensive when you compare them to their sugar filled alternative.

However, I have a few comments on this. #1. These THM store bought desserts are not meant to be binged on. And while you may see people eating a slice of Trimtastic cake for breakfast, I use these treats for what they are – treats. 

Have the recommended serving size after a meal or as a snack for something to satisfy your sweet tooth as needed. 

#2. When you follow the portion control for these desserts, the cost works out to be reasonable. For example, I usually find that a Lily’s chocolate bar in my town is $3.99 not on sale. You get 4 servings from that bar. So while $4 for a chocolate bar seems steep, $1 per serving isn’t too bad. 

So please don’t be discouraged by these prices! If you can’t afford the store bought items, there are plenty of things that you can make that are on plan and less expensive. 

Also, it isn’t like I have all of these THM store bought desserts at my house at one time. Normally I might by a couple of items per week. Do what works for you, your family & your grocery budget. 

And what you have been waiting for, here is the list of Trim Healthy Mama treats that you can buy at the store!

THM On Plan Ice Cream 

Halo Top  FP 1/2 cup is the serving size (Try this pumpkin Ice Cream pie)

Breyer’s Carb Smart S

Rebel S

THM On Plan Cookies

High Key Cookies S

Fat Snax S

THM Protein Cookie  S

THM On Plan Chocolate

85% Dark Chocolate – S, Probably the most economical store bought chocolate. Aldi has this one that is on plan or you can buy any dark chocolate that is over 85%

Lily’s Chocolate Bars – S, Since these are sweetened with Stevia, you can eat the dark, milk or white chocolate on plan. Salted caramel milk chocolate is my favorite. 

Choc Zero Chocolate Squares or Bark – S

Bake Believe Bars S (All Varieties)

Butterfly Bars S

Chocolate Chips

Lily’s Chocolate Chips S (All varieties)

Bake Believe Chips S (All varieties)

Trim Healthy Chocolate Chips  S

Fruity & Gummy On Plan Options

Smart Sweets – Personal Choice

Kiss My Keto Gummies – Personal Choice

Sour Raisins – E (these haven’t been confirmed by admins but I eat them because the numbers work and everything above the less than 2% is on plan – you just want to not overdo raisins. So I only eat one pack at a time (although I could eat 10 – so good!) If you like sour stuff and fruit snacks – give these a try. They totally satisfy that craving for me & my kids love them too. 

THM On Plan Cakes 

Smart Cakes – Personal Choice FP 

Nush – Personal Choice S 

Other On Plan Sweet Treats 

Fresh Berries with Fat Free Reddi Whip (Serving size on FF Reddi Whip is one Capful) – FP

Legendary Foods Peanut Spread S

Pyure Hazelnut Spread – Personal Choice S 

Keto Farms Maple Candied Pecans – S

Need More THM Store Bought Guides? 

THM On Plan Peanut Butter Options

THM On Plan Bread Options

THM On Plan Tortilla & Wrap Options 

THM On the Go Ideas – No refrigeration needed

Trim Healthy Mama Ready to Eat Sweet Treats

THM Cookies N Cream Protein Dalgona

by Leave a Comment

The dalgona coffee craze started during quarantine and has branched off into all kinds of fun drinks! I’ve seen strawberry flavored and even a Nutella dalgona. 

This Trim Healthy Mama version skips the coffee and includes the THM cookies n cream protein powder in this dalgona style beverage. 

THM Protein Cookies N Cream Dalgona

I’m not on Tik Tok (I think I might be too old for that!) but some of my friends are and during quarantine they taught me about dalgona coffee. 

A what kind of coffee?! If you were like me and didn’t know about this Korean beverage, you are not alone. The traditional version is made by whipping instant coffee, sugar and hot water together to make a whippy, foamy topping. 

Then the topping goes over a glass with ice and milk. And while a coffee version of this would also be good, I skipped it in this recipe making this a great bedtime snack option! 

This THM cookies n cream protein dalgona drink is easy to make for a quick sweet treat. 

(Affiliate Links are used in this post. A small commission may be paid to me at no extra cost to you and that helps to support this page. Please see my disclosures page for additional information.)

THM Cookies N Cream Protein Dalgona

I’m all about quick and easy on plan meals and snacks. I particularly like this one because it feels a little fun and fancy even though it takes just a couple of minutes to make. 

Here is what you need for the THM Cookies N Cream Protein Dalgona drink:

Making the THM Dalgona Beverage

To make this dalgona inspired beverage, start by adding the cream and protein powder into a bowl. Using a stand or hand mixer, whip the cream and protein powder until it is thick and forming peaks. 

Add the Sweet Drops and mix briefly again. 

In a small cup (I used a stemless wine glass), add ice and fill about 1/2 to 3/4 of the way full. Next, spoon the whipped protein mixture on top. 

Garnish with a couple of crushed High Key brownie bite cookies and serve immediately. 

Fuel Type: S – the fat from the HWC and cookies make this an S drink.

What if I don’t have the THM Cookies N Cream Protein Powder? 

You could sub a vanilla protein powder and mix in a couple of extra High Key cookies for a similar taste. 

You could also mix in a little black or regular cocoa powder. 

Can I Add Coffee? 

Of course! Coffee makes everything better! 

You could add the instant coffee with the whipping cream for a traditional Dalgona. However, I think it would be really good to fill a cup with ice and a cold brew coffee and then top it with the cookies n cream whipped protein mix. 

More Ideas for THM Cookies N Cream Protein Powder

Print Recipe
 THM Cookies N Cream Protein Dalgona
Servings
Drink
Ingredients
Servings
Drink
Ingredients
Instructions
  1. Place the whipping cream and the protein powder in a medium bowl.
  2. Using a stand or hand mixer, whip the cream and powder until peaks are forming and the mixture is the texture of whipped cream.
  3. Add 2-5 drops of Vanilla Sweet Drops or your desired sweetener. I did 2 drops and it was moderately sweet. If you like it sweeter, just taste and add until it gets to your desired level of sweetness.
  4. Add the ice and almond milk to a small glass. Top with the whipped dalgona style cream.
  5. Garnish with 1-2 crushed High Key brownie bite cookies and serve immediately.