Everyone snacks. It’s even easy to argue that people need a little nibble between meals: It’s the perfect way to keep the energy up, fill in nutritional holes, and manage blood sugar.
But snacking gets a bad rep. Why? Generally, most people think of snack food as junk food. Don’t get me wrong, there’s room for the occasional chocolate bar or bowl of chips, but those aren’t the kind of snacks you want to be choosing.
Healthy snacks are tasty, versatile, and easy to eat on the go. Here are some of the best snacks to help keep you feeling good.
Crunchy Stuff
Texture is a big part of snacking, so here are some healthy foods that can offer some crunch while you munch:
- Carrots and celery
- Apples and pears
- Bell pepper slices
- Roasted chickpeas
- Zucchini/cucumber slices
- Popcorn
- Rice cakes
- Nuts and Seeds
Enjoy your snack, and make it more filling with a drink. Get rid of high-sugar sodas and energy drinks and try replacing them with:
- Plain or sparkling water (add fruit or herbs for a little more)
- Milk
- Unsweetened coffee or tea—a little bit of sweetness may be OK
- A small glass of 100 percent fruit juice
- Low sodium tomato or mixed vegetable juice
Here are some options that can help fill you up.
- Whole grain toast topped with peanut or almond butter
- Cherry tomatoes with hummus
- Low-fat cheese
- Plain low-fat yogurt (pair with some fruit, nuts, nut butter, or seeds)
- Fruit and veggie smoothie
- Canned fruit (in natural juice or light syrup)
- A thin slice of angel food cake or homemade banana nut bread
- Baked apple
- Raisins, dates, figs, and other unsweetened dried fruits
- Frozen grapes
- Fresh fruit salad
- Watermelon
Mat Lecompte is a health and wellness reporter for Bel Marra Health, where this article was first published.
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