You have pledged to get healthier this year and now you are wondering what in the world to eat! Below is a list of healthy snack ideas to get you started! Before we dive into the list, let me post a disclaimer acknowledging that the term “healthy snack” is up for debate. If you have committed to a certain diet plan such as Whole 30, Paleo, Atkins, etc. then some of these may not work for your plan. These are my 30 go-to healthy snack ideas when I need alternatives to my desired sugar-loaded and complex-carb-loaded snacks. Feel free to pin these healthy snack ideas for later!
Healthy Snack Ideas
1. Flourless Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Bites
This snack idea was posted by Sarah from The Bird’s Papaya on Instagram. When I need a chocolate chip cookie, these are a great alternative and satisfy the craving!
2. Protein Peanut Butter Cookies
This is another recipe posted by Sarah and it’s great with a few dark chocolate chips smooshed on top!
A photo posted by Sarah Reynolds (@thebirdspapaya) on
3. Chocolate Banana Dessert
Sometimes when I’m dying for a giant bowl of ice cream, I will instead cut up a banana and drizzle a bit of Hershey’s syrup over the top with a puff of whipped cream. It tastes decadent, satisfies my sweet tooth, and keeps me within my calorie and sugar goal for the day.
4. Dark Chocolate Square (70% or higher Cacao is best)
I probably do not go a single day without some chocolate in my day. It is my drug of choice and I’m quite convinced is as necessary as any medication to my well-being! 🙂 I stick with a square of 70% dark or a few dark Ghiradelli chocolate chips.
5. Mocha Coffee
Starbucks makes a mocha k-cup that is delicious! I add a little cream and sweetener for a delicious treat.
6. Popcorn with Cocoa Powder
Skip the microwave stuff and pop your corn on the stove! Sprinkle 1T melted butter and cocoa powder over your popcorn and enjoy. You can also warm 1T of Nutella or nut butter in place of the butter and drizzle over the top.
7. All Fruit Popsicles
You can easily make these at home, but I typically just buy an all-fruit and low sugar popsicle from the store.
photo credit: Feeling fruity via photopin (license)
8. Ants on a Log: Celery with Peanut Butter and Dried Fruit
These might give you flashbacks of your kindergarten days but they are a truly sweet, salty, crunchy snack that satisfies a lot of cravings in one fell swoop! I like to top mine with craisins.
photo credit: Peanut Butter Is Darn Good via photopin (license)
9. Berries and cottage cheese
I know some people have an aversion to the texture of cottage cheese, but fortunately I love it! It’s a great high protein, low carb snack and tastes great with fresh berries.
10. Greek Yogurt Honey and Berries
Not all Greek yogurts are created equal so be sure to check labels before purchasing. Skip the flavored yogurts since those have as much sugar as most desserts you might eat! Sweeten your yogurt with fresh fruit, a little honey, and some high-protein granola.
photo credit: Asian pear, blackberry, blueberry and pomegranate fruit salad with Ellenos Greek yogurt via photopin (license)
I love to make parfaits for breakfast. They feel fancy, are pretty, and carry me through until lunch.
11. Frozen Grapes
Pop your grapes into the freezer and allow them to freeze for an unexpectedly delightful snack!
12. Raspberries with Cream
Fresh raspberries covered with a little fresh cream and just a dusting of sanding sugar is an amazing sweet treat! Whenever I find raspberries on sale I buy them with this treat in mind. You can also place a dark chocolate chip inside a raspberry for a quick and satisfying chocolate raspberry treat.
13. Dippers Chocolate Covered Bananas with Peanut or Almond Butter
I like to eat one pack of these with a tiny bit of almond butter or natural peanut butter.
14. Kind Bars
These are a bit high in carbs and sugar so be sure to check the bar label to be sure it fits with your goals. However, the ingredients are all-natural and the bars are delicious.
15. Caramel Rice Cake with Laughing Cow Creamy Original
When you’re in the mood for a cookie or cupcake, this might be a good alternative. Take a wedge of Laughing Cow Creamy Original and mix it in a bowl with some cinnamon and a few drops of vanilla. Spread it over one caramel rice cake and enjoy!
16. Power Crunch Bars
These are my FAVORITE protein bars! They are high in fat, contain sucralose (Splenda), and whey protein so they are not for everyone. But if you are tempted to eat a candy bar or dive head first into a bag of Oreos, these are a great alternative! The peanut butter fudge is my favorite flavor.
17. Celery with Tuna Salad
Mix a bit of mayo with your tuna and spread on celery for a quick and satisfying snack or lunch.
18. Hard Boiled Eggs
I love to have hard boiled eggs on hand to eat quickly for breakfast, after a workout, or to cut up on salads. They are a cheap and easy source of protein and taste great with bacon and avocado.
photo credit: boiled eggs on a chopping board detail via photopin (license)
19. Deviled eggs
Use Greek Yogurt in place of mayo to make your deviled eggs a healthy and delicious snack!
photo credit: Deviled Eggs 3-13-09 via photopin (license)
20. Pickles
If you are salt-craver, pickles are a wonderful snack for you! The salt and crunch will satisfy your snack needs and the low caloric content will help you maintain your goals.
21. Olives Stuffed with Blue Cheese or Almonds
I buy olives stuffed with blue cheese from Aldi’s and love them! The fat in the olives is incredibly satisfying and I find eating just two will usually help curb my snack attack.
22. Swiss Cheese Apple Wraps with Mustard Dip (click for recipe)
These are so good! They pack 5 grams of protein in one apple wedge. These also make a great appetizer for a party.
23. Nuts and Sunflower Seeds
Make sure you portion-control your nut serving before you begin eating them. It’s really easy to go overboard with nuts, and if you are trying to lose weight they may stall your progress. I love pistachios! Buy them in the shell which will slow you down and help you portion control.
24. Trail Mix
We always make our own trail mix or buy it in bulk. I will sometimes toss in a few dark chocolate chips if I need a desserty snack. Pick high-protein, low carb varieties if you are trying to lose weight.
25. Cheese
I love eating cheese for a quick snack. String cheese or a cheese slice is a convenient and easy snack to grab on the go. Pair it with a Pink Lady apple and you are really in business!
26. Smoked salmon and cream cheese on salad, cucumber slices, or whole grain crackers.
Take sliced cucumber, smoked salmon, and Laughing Cow cheese to make decadent “cucumber sandwiches”. If your health goals allow for it, add some whole grain crackers to the mix.
photo credit: Christina and James’ Smoked Salmon Salad via photopin (license)
27. Mushroom caps with Laughing Cow cheese spread inside (or other spreads, veggies or dips)
photo credit: Stuffed Mushrooms via photopin (license)
28. Lettuce Wraps
You can also make Lettuce Roll-ups by rolling luncheon meat, egg salad, tuna or other filling and veggies in lettuce leaves. This makes a great dinner! I enjoy Tuesday Taco Night with my family and replace the tortillas with lettuce leaves.
29. Antipasti
Spread out a bunch of cheeses, lunch meats, and veggies for a fun family snack.
photo credit: Antipasti via photopin (license)
30. Caprese Bites
Layer cherry tomatoes, mozzarella balls, and a basil leaf on a toothpick. Drizzle with some balsamic vinegar and olive oil for a quick and delish snack!
Do you have any snack ideas to add? I’d love to hear your favorite healthy snack ideas in the comments. I’m always looking for new ideas to add to my rotation. Cheers to good health this year!
Related Posts
Eating Gluten Free: My favorite gluten free products
Weight Loss Tips that Work
How I've Lost 22 lbs So Far
Easy Healthy Snack Idea: Alpine Lace Swiss Cheese & Prosciutto Wrapped Apples
Cheesy Cauliflower Soup Recipe
Funny Thoughts From My First Bikram Yoga (Hot Yoga) Class
13 Easy Super Bowl Sunday Snack Ideas
