Those of you who have done the South Beach Diet know that the first phase can be very limiting, particularly in the snacking department. Well, I found a few gems and came up with a few of my own that made me look forward to snack time when I was on Phase 1. All of these are assumed to be made for one person but can be easily adapted for 2 or more.

Roasted Nuts--Buy a can of plain, raw almonds, or pick up some bulk raw cashews or pecans (you may have to visit a natural foods store like Whole Foods Market for this). Since you have to count out approximately 15 nuts for your snack on Phase 1, do this first, and then roast them in a 300 degree oven or toaster oven for about 10 minutes or until light brown and fragrant. You'll be amazed at how this makes the nuts taste....and without the added fat, salt, or chemicals.

Pepperoni Snacks--I read this one somewhere so I can't take credit for it, but it's delicious. Take about 12 pieces of turkey pepperoni. Microwave on high for about 30 seconds. Then spoon a tablespoon or two of low sugar pasta sauce, and another tablespoon or two of low fat mozzarella cheese. Then microwave another 15-20 seconds or until cheese is melted and bubbly. It's like eating pizza without the crust, and tastes good enough to keep real pizza cravings at bay.

Cheese Crisps--I read about this one in a few different places, and experimented enough myself in order to get it right. The best way to do this is to buy the pre-cut low-fat cheese like Kraft or Cracker Barrel Cracker Cuts. My favorite is cheddar, but the colby/jack or swiss will work as well. Spray a large cookie sheet (preferably a clean one) with cooking spray, then spread out four slices of the cheese on the sheet and bake for 5-7 minutes at 300 degrees, or until the cheese begins to brown on the edges. Let cool, then scrape off with a spatula and drain on paper towels before enjoying. Trust me, you will thank me later for sharing this idea.

Cheese/Peanut Butter Squares--Take two pieces of low-fat American or Muenster cheese and spread a tablespoon of natural or low-sugar peanut butter on one of them. Top with the other piece of cheese, and cut into four squares. You now have a very healthy version of that snacking wonder known as cheese/peanut butter crackers.

Ham/Turkey Roll with Cream Cheese and Olives--Take two slices of lean, low-sodium turkey breast or ham. Spread each slice lightly with low-fat cream cheese (or Laughing Cow cheese), then sprinkle each with a tablespoon of chopped or sliced green olives. Or, instead of olives, try a thinly sliced dill pickle spear. Roll up and enjoy.

Celery w/Cashew Butter--Peanut Butter is great, but it does get boring after a while. So experiment with other nut butters such as cashew butter, which has a natural sweetness to it that is mildly addictive. Spread some on celery sticks for a healthy, South Beach Phase 1-friendly snack.

Pumpkin Seeds--This one is for you folks who just can't help from snacking in front of the TV, especially after you've allotted all of your meals and snacks for the day. If you absolutely can't help yourself, this is about the best option for you. Take a 1/4 cup of roasted pumpkin seeds like David's brand, and make sure to remove the salty shells before eating the seeds themselves. I've "cheated" like this and also made this one of my main daily snacks, and it's good because you're eating very few carbs and calories while keeping your hands and mouth occupied in "eating" mode.

By all means, let me know if you've tried any of these and what you think. I hope they help you to stay on track during Phase 1. Good luck!