Before I get into telling you about some good healthy snack ideas, I want to say that snacking gets a bad rap. Sure, eating too many calories can add up, but good healthy snacking can help your body in many ways. In this article, we take a look at the benefits of healthy snacking.
Benefits of Healthy Snacking
Snacking Can Reduce Overall calorie Intake
People who snack on healthy foods tend to feel full longer and eat less volume. Choosing healthy snacks throughout the day sends messages to the brain that all’s well. It reduces the hunger pangs that come from eating empty calories or waiting too long between meals.
Snacking Can Reduce Fatigue and Keep You Alert
Eating large meals that are high in salt, fat, and sugar, can cause poor digestion and make you lethargic. That’s why most people tend to need a good nap after a large meal.
But, snacking right can help fuel your body with healthy foods that digest easily and put proper energy into your system.
Snacking Can Up Your Intake of Vitamins and Minerals
Food is the best source of nutrients, vitamins, and minerals. Eating a wide variety of power-packed foods can increase your daily dose of nutrients that fight inflammation, cancer, and other diseases.
Snacking Can Help Repair Damage
Our bodies are always renewing and refreshing themselves. Each time you choose healthy foods, you are contributing to the rejuvenation process. Eating the right foods helps your body recover from trauma, illnesses, and exertion. Foods can help repair damage, prevent disease and illnesses, as well as give you tons of energy.
Snacking Can Help With Exercise
Some people feel too tired to exercise when they’ve been active all day. Snacking before and after a workout can generate the energy needed to hit the gym or engage in physical activity.
Eating a healthy snack before working out can boost your energy while eating a nutritious snack post-workout can help repair your muscles and refuel your energy level.
Snacking doesn’t deserve a negative reputation. Snacking can be quite healthy and helpful when done correctly and in conjunction with healthy meals. Choosing good, healthy snack foods that support a healthy lifestyle can make a big difference in your daily routine.
Ditch the Drive-Thru for Healthier Alternatives
Living in modern times has a lot of advantages. Now more than ever you can access all types of foods with very little effort.
Food is readily available in the drive-thru, via Grub Hubb and other delivery services, as well as curbside or delivered directly from your grocer.
You can even have food delivered within an hour via Amazon in some cases. We live in a time when you can get anything, anytime, from anywhere.
Convenience is a big deal for busy people. There’s no need to plan when you can hit the drive-thru on the way to and from your next destination. While it may be convenient to grab through the window and go, it is almost never healthy!
If you live a busy lifestyle and tend to rely on drive-thru fare to fuel your family, you could be putting them at risk for weight gain and food-related chronic lifestyle illnesses.
Sadly, most fast food lacks any real nutritional value and while convenient, it just isn’t good for you. With a little planning, you can ditch the drive-thru and incorporate these healthy alternatives.
Meal Prep for a Week of Healthy Foods
Meal prepping is an excellent way to plan ahead for a week’s worth of healthy meals and snacks. If done well, it’s easy to batch your food prep and reduce time in the kitchen too.
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Tip! Choose one day of the week to cook and portion meals and snacks that are grab-n-go when you’re busy during the day.
Join a Meal-planning Subscription Club
Currently, there are many subscription-based meal planning and delivery services. These programs allow you to choose meals and snacks in batches which means you can order multiple meals and snacks at a time. They are portioned and sent to your doorstep with all the ingredients and bulletproof directions.
These subscriptions can help save time by eliminating trips to the grocer and prevent over-eating with portion control. Try eMeals Free for 14 Days
Delegate Meal Prep and Involve the Family
If you are part of a family unit there are lots of benefits to delegating meal planning, prep, and cleaning. It’s important to teach skills like meal planning, cooking, and cleaning.
FACT: Kids who know how to cook tend to do better on their own. They spend less, eat healthier, and transition into adulthood easier. Delegate tasks for meal planning and prep to share the load and lighten the responsibility.
Take out has its place. There are times when it is unavoidable, but it shouldn’t be routine. Ditching the drive-thru for healthier choices can save money and your waistline.
Pre-Planning Makes Healthy Snacking Easier
One of the reasons people settle for high fat, high sugar, and high salt snacks is lack of planning.
It’s much easier to grab a candy bar and energy drink when you’re getting gas than it is to grab an apple because they aren’t readily available next to the lottery tickets at the register.
Pre-planning snacks make it much easier to enjoy nutritious and tasty treats without setting foot in a mini-mart.
Pre-planning snacks doesn’t take much effort. The next time you create a shopping list, be sure to add snack foods to your meal lineup. Planning for snacks and thinking about them strategically can help you make wise food choices at the store and create a variety of snacks for everyday use.
Here are some good, healthy snack ideas that cover all sorts of snack cravings
Good, Healthy Snack Ideas
Snacking gives you an opportunity to add nutrients and avoid deficiencies. Try any of these good, healthy snack ideas for a delicious change:
1. Crispy Chickpeas
If you’re tired of the usual nuts or seeds in your diet, try crispy chickpeas. They’re part of the legume family and have nutritional value.
You can buy bags of crispy, salted chickpeas from stores. You can also make your own version at home. This snack will taste crunchy and fill you up quickly. It also provides you with important fiber and protein.
Salted chickpeas can help you fight the craving for salty potato chips. They’re a healthy substitute that you can make by roasting them at home. Then, add your favorite seasonings.
Roasted chickpeas also have magnesium, calcium, and potassium.
2. Zucchini Chips
You can find them in stores or make your own snacks by cutting and roasting small slices of zucchini.
Zucchini chips are a healthy snack alternative that has protein, fiber, and multiple vitamins. These chips have vitamins A and C. In addition, they have potassium which is essential for healthy bodies.
Zucchini chips are a low-cholesterol snacking substitute.
3. Carrot Chips
You can make carrot chips in a similar way to zucchini chips. Roast them in your oven and add seasonings such as olive oil, salt, or pepper.
Carrot chips are a good source of vitamins C and A. They’re a healthy option for quick snacks that you may crave during the day at home or work. They’re easy and fun to make.
4. Pickled Asparagus
Pickled asparagus can help you fight salty cravings and provide you with a low-calorie and very beneficial snack. This unusual snacking option offers you fiber and the benefit of fermented foods.
Asparagus has vitamin C and calcium. It’s also a source of magnesium and other important nutrients.
5. Granola
Instead of having plain granola, you can find versions that include different flavorings. From blueberries to chocolate coffee, granola is available in different types.
Granola is a good source of vitamins and minerals. It has vitamin E, zinc, vitamin C, magnesium, calcium, niacin, and others. It also has other benefits such as helping your digestive system and reducing cholesterol.
Granola can also make you feel more energetic. In addition, it has iron, so you can fight anemia.
Granola can make you feel full and help you stay on track with healthy snacking. It can help you fight temptations for sugar or junk food that can destroy your diet.
6. Tortilla Pinwheels
Use large tortillas to make nut butter pinwheels that feed a crowd. Using large-sized tortillas, smear with nut butter, banana honey, or your favorite fruit spread. Roll and cut into half-inch pinwheels. This yields enough snacks for up to three people per tortilla. Add to a snack-sized baggie or shallow storage container for easy access.
7. Trail Mix
Bulk trail mix is an easy fix if you crave sweets and salty snacks. Up your game by creating your own energy-packed trail mix. Include nuts, dried fruits, pretzels, chocolate or carob, and other favorites to create a tailor-made trail mix that is cheaper per pound…and much tastier…than a commercial trail mix.
8. Hard-Boiled Eggs
Many people swear by protein to keep them energized and resisting sugar. Pre-plan high-protein snacks that are whole-food based. Hard-boiled eggs are an excellent source of easy-to-eat protein. Simple nut butter sandwiches are a perfect grab-n-go favorite that is satisfying and energy-packed.
Your snacks don’t have to be boring, and you don’t have to eat the same ones all the time. You have other options that can make snacking fun again.
Here are more good, healthy snack ideas to use as a springboard to new snacking ideas of your own.
9. Raw Fruits and Veggies for the Win
Nothing beats the healthy benefits of fruits and vegetables. It’s easy to pre-plan grab-n-go fruits and veggies for snacks. You can buy both fruits and veggies pre-cut from your grocer, but you’ll save money buying in bulk and cutting them yourself. Package in baggies or containers and keep them in your fridge for easy access.
10. Prepackaged Healthy Snacks
If you need to buy prepackaged snacks, look for those that are minimally processed. The key to feeling satisfied and satiated is to choose snacks with either protein or fat paired with a carbohydrate. Most snacks on the market are just a lot of carbs, without other nutrients. Stay away from these, because they can leave you even more hungry.
Snacks should have real and wholesome ingredients. Pay attention to added sugar.
There are lots of healthy treats available to snack on. If you love snacks but never think to plan, take the time to add a few prepackaged snacks to your grocery list. Thinking about snacks like you do meal planning can help you prepare the right snack for the right situation and make sure you save time and money, plus keep your energy up.
Shopping for prepackaged snack options can be overwhelming.
Here are a dozen good healthy snacks on Amazon that we regularly stock our pantry with as they are nutritious, and low in sugar.
1. Whisps Cheddar Cheese Snacks – $11.99 Amazon.com
These cheese crips taste like crackers, but they are grainless. They have just 1 gram of carbohydrates and 12 grams of protein
2. Enlightened Bada Bean Bada Boom, 24 Pack – $19.50 Amazon.com
These snack packs are full of protein and fiber-rich beans. They come in three varieties:
- Sea salt
- Sweet Sriracha
- Mesquite barbeque
Each 100 calorie serving has 7 grams of protein and 15 grams of fiber
3. Rhythm Superfoods Beet Chips Pack of 4 – $14.99 Amazon.com
If you love potato chips but are looking for a healthier alternative, these dehydrated beet chips pack a good amount of protein (4 grams) and fiber (7 grams). The snack ingredients are brief, as the only ingredients is organic beets and sea salt!
4. RXBars Variety Pack 12 Pack – $27.53
RX bars became so popular because they are delicious and have a “no b.s.” ingredient list. Each bar contains 12 grams of protein, egg whites, dates, and nuts. They come in six flavors:
- Chocolate sea salt
- Blueberry
- Peanut Butter Chocolate
- Peanut Butter
- Coconut Chocolate
- Mixed Berry
Keep some in your bag, desk drawer, or your vehicle as they come in handy in any snack emergency.
5. Keto Bars 12 Pack Sampler – $35.95
These bars are low carb, and have NO sugar. They are rich in ketogenic fats, gluten-free, and are 100% Keto friendly. They are rich, dense and ohhh so delicious. Made from wholesome ingredients, rich in flavor that is both delicious and satisfying. If you crave the sweet taste, these bars will satisfy your craving.
6. Seedible Organic Sesame Butter – $17.99 Amazon.com
Replace your sugar-laden peanut butter with this organic, creamy, gluten-free, nut-free protein-packed sesame butter made from quality Ethiopian Sesame seeds.
It has over 6 grams of protein and zero sugar.
7. Chomps Free Range Turkey Jerky 10 Pack – $22.49 Amazon.com
A lot of jerkies come with added sugar. This brand is delicious and has none. Each stick contains 10 grams of protein to get you to your next meal.
8. Banana Joe Banana Chips Sea Salt Healthy Chips 6 Pack – $19.90 Amazon
I don't know how they make these SO flavorful and delicious! But, it's probably because they use heirloom bananas to make a thinner crispier chips than the usual banana chips you find.
They are the perfect healthy on-the-go snack for kids and adults. The best part is they have no added sugar and are a source of nutrition like potassium, vitamins, and fiber. They're also packed with natural probiotics and prebiotics that support good gut health.
9. Peeled Snacks Organic Dried Fruit Variety Pack 4 Count – $15.40 Amazon.com
10. Kind Bars, Nuts and Spices 12 Count Variety Pack – $14.22 Amazon.com
If you like a sweet crunch, look for Kind Bars. They are a wonderful snack option when you're in a rush. They offer a just-sweet-enough satisfaction that won't spike your blood sugar.
The variety pack has 4 Maple Glazed Pean & Seasalt, Dark Chocolate Nuts & Sea Salt & Dark Chocolate Cinnamon Pecan! YUM
11. Hippeas Organic Chickpeas Puffs Variety 12 Pack – $19.99 Amazon.com
Plus, they have 6 grams of protein and 5 grams of fiber. These are our two favorite flavors! Vegan White Cheder and Nacho Vibes.
Simple Mills Almond Flour Crackers With Fine Sea Salt – $4.20 Amazon.com
Just one bite of these gluten-free almond crackers and you'll be hooked for life! These Simple Mill Almond crackers are hands down, one of my favorite snacks! Especially topped with almond butter. Our house is almost never without them.
Note: The prices here reflect Amazon.com's listed price at the time of publication.
