Celery and cream cheese — the afterschool snack that's also a legitimate low calorie option for adults. Crunchy, creamy, and barely registers calorie-wise.
Wash the celery stalks under cold running water, paying special attention to any grit near the base.
Trim both ends off each celery stalk and cut each in half to produce about 12 sticks total for easy snacking portions.
Pat the celery sticks dry with a clean paper towel to help the cream cheese adhere.
Using a butter knife or small spatula, fill the hollow side of each celery stick with about 1/2 tbsp light cream cheese, smoothing it evenly.
Sprinkle a pinch of black pepper and, if using, finely chopped fresh parsley over the cream cheese for added aroma. Serve immediately for maximum crunch and freshness.