20 Healthy Snack Ideas
The key to healthy snacking is to find foods that have as much nutritional value as possible that will fill you up so you aren’t hungry again a short time later.
For example: A 100-calorie pack of chips or cookies will spike your blood sugar and leave you feeling hungry again very soon AND they aren’t providing you with any nutrients. If you eat a banana and a few almonds, you are eating something nutritious (vitamins, minerals, fiber, etc.) that will fill you up longer (and help you feel better) and help you avoid the sugar crash.
The more unprocessed or minimally processed whole foods you eat the better.
Have different snacks during the week to keep it interesting and to increase the different types of nutrients you are getting. Make sure you keep your snacks prepared and ready to go so you don’t end up eating something that’s not so great for your health or your waistline.
Note: Eating organic is best but do what your budget and preferences allow.
- Almonds, walnuts or cashews (a small palm full is usually a serving)
- Sunflower seeds and raisins (about ¼ cup)
- Celery and almond butter (or peanut butter or sun butter) 1-2 tbsp
- Rice chips with hummus
- Organic tortilla chips and salsa or guacamole (for those that just HAVE to have chips)
- Veggie sticks (celery, carrots, cucumber) and hummus, guacamole or Greek yogurt dip
- Kale chips (make your own)
- Zucchini oven chips (make your own)
- Sweet potato chips or fries (make your own)
- Apple slices with nut butter or sun butter
- Pumpkin seeds and dried cranberries
- Greek yogurt with granola (IF you tolerate dairy. Tip: read labels – avoid high fructose corn syrup and artificial colors & sweeteners)
- Green smoothie with flax or chia seeds
- Fresh fruit or fruit salad
- Make your own trail mix with raw nuts seeds and dried fruit
- Baby carrots and/or celery, cucumber with hummus
- Dinner leftovers
- Salad with a variety of vegetables and olive oil-based dressing
- For an easy on-the-go snack check out Lara Bars (get the ones without added sugar, they’re still naturally sweet enough to take care of any sweet craving)
- Mixed berries (or mixed berry smoothie with flax seeds or chia seeds)
