Six easy Weight Watchers snacks

A mid-afternoon snack is a smart idea. It quiets the pre-dinner hunger rumbles, and can be something to look forward to. But if you're like most people, you're tired of the same old popcorn and pretzels.We asked two recipe developers, Bev Bennett, author of 30-Minute Meals for Dummies , and Robin Vitetta-Miller, MS, food writer and busy mother of two, to help us out of our snacking rut with easy recipes that start with canned goods and convenience food products.

Spicy Black Bean Dip 8 servings, POINTS value per serving: 0 (dip only)

Drain and rinse a 14-ounce can of black beans. Puree with 1/4 cup nonfat sour cream and a dash of hot sauce; serve with whole-wheat pita wedges.

"Homemade" Hot and Sour Soup 3 servings, points per serving: 3

Prepare a reduced-fat ramen noodle soup mix according to package directions. Add 1/4 teaspoon crushed dried chili flakes and 1 to 2 teaspoons fresh lime juice. Sprinkle with a tablespoon of minced fresh cilantro.

Mock-a-mole 12 servings, points per serving: 2 (mock-amole only)

Puree the flesh of 2 ripe avocados with 1/2 cup canned asparagus, 1 cup canned white beans (drained and rinsed), 2 garlic cloves and 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice; serve with baked chips or toasted, mini black bread squares.

Fresh Tomato and Cucumber Salsa 8 servings, points per serving: 0 (salsa only)

Combine 2 cups diced ripe tomatoes, 1/2 cup diced cucumber, 1 diced green pepper, 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro and 1 tablespoon lime juice in a bowl; serve with baked chips.

Chilled Tomato-Avocado Soup 2 servings, points per serving: 2

Combine 1 cup canned low-fat tomato soup with 1/4 cup each fresh diced tomatoes and diced avocado, and 1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil.

Endive with Curried Mayo Dip 2 servings, points per serving: 0

Separate 1 endive into individual leaves. Mix together 1/4 cup fat-free mayonnaise, 1/4 teaspoon curry powder and 1 to 2 teaspoons orange juice in a bowl (to make mayonnaise consistency a little looser). Dip leaves (or the vegetable of your choice) into mayo.

Ham or Turkey Pinwheels 1 serving, points per serving: 1

Combine 1 teaspoon reduced-fat mayonnaise with an equal amount of Dijon mustard. Spread mustard mixture over a Romaine lettuce leaf and top with a deli-cut slice of turkey breast or a slice of reduced-fat ham. Roll up and secure with a toothpick.