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Hunger can strike at the most inconvenient of times and making healthy choices can be difficult. As with any other meal of the day, healthy snacking requires some planning. To keep hanger at bay, I put together this list of my all time favorite Healthy Snacks. I’ve included homemade healthy snacks for when you have time to plan, as well as my favorite store bought healthy snacks you can stock in your desk or pantry for when you need a good-for-you snack right this second. Whether you’re looking for a healthy snack for you, a healthy snack for kids, or even a healthy snack for weight loss, there’s a snack here to fit your needs!

sheet pan full of no bake energy balls

First, it’s important to know what to look for in a healthy snack and to think about how snacks typically fit into your daily routine. For example, if your snack may sit in a hot car for hours, then you likely don’t want anything perishable. Have a hard workout planned? You might want something more substantial.

If you typically eat your snacks on-the-go, then you’ll want to find something quick, easy, and portable. No matter whether you have a little or a lot of time for snacking, there’s a healthy snack idea to fit your schedule.

Yogurt with Granola

What to Look For in Healthy Snacks

Whether you are making one of these healthy snack recipes from scratch OR picking up a healthy snack at the store, you’ll want to double check the snacks’ nutritional content. Here’s what to look for.

  • Protein and Fiber. Protein and fiber are what is going to make sure you snack is actually filling and satiates your hunger until your next meal. The best snacks contain several grams of both.
  • Whole Grains. Look for whole grains and complex carbohydrates, which are also more filling.
  • Watch for Added Sugars. Added sugars taste great in the moment (looking at you, shiny wrapped granola bar) but can cause a sugar crash. Naturally occurring sugars, like those in fruit and dairy products like yogurt, are fine.
  • Keep Calorie Count Reasonable For Your Diet. Unless a snack is really replacing a meal, make sure that the calorie content is reasonable for your needs (for me, that means a granola bar that’s 200ish calories or less). The healthy snacks on these lists will satisfy your hunger without making you feel too full.
  • Avoid Highly Processed Food and Fast Food When Possible. These tend to be high in calories and low in nutrients, which are not qualities we want in our healthy snacks.

Tips for Sticking With Healthy Snacks

  • Make a list of healthy snacks for the week, and prepare them ahead of time.
  • To make mornings easier, prepare your snacks the night before.
  • Place your healthy snacks at the front of the pantry, fridge, and snack drawer, so they’re the first items to catch your (hungry) eye.
  • For kids: Find a low shelf in your refrigerator or pantry where you can store all the healthy snacks for kids. If the snacks are not already individually packed, place them in small containers or ziptop bags, so it’s easy for kids to grab them and go.

Roasted Chickpeas in a bowl for a healthy snack

Now, without further adieu, let’s talk about some of my favorite healthy snacks!

5 Healthy Snacks You Can Buy at the Store

Healthy Granola Bars from the store for healthy snacks

In a perfect world, I’d make every snack from scratch. In the real world, I often don’t have time, so finding healthy store bought snacks you can trust is a godsend! Fortunately, there are a lot of great options. Unfortunately, advertising and packaging can be deceiving. Sometimes the foods advertised as “healthy” and “natural” may be full of calories and of little nutritional value. When I shop for snacks at the store, I make a point to look for items with fewer ingredients and that are higher in fiber and protein, and that contain fewer added sugars.

My 5 Favorite Store Bought Healthy Snacks Are:

  • Granola Bars. These tasty little bars are ideal healthy snacks for on-the-go life. A few of my favorite brands: KIND, RXBar, and Kashi.
  • Fruit. One of my favorite ways to ensure I’m eating a healthy snack is to stick with whole, nutrient-rich foods like fruit. I love pairing apples or bananas with peanut butter or almond butter to make them more filling.
  • Yogurt and Granola. This yummy combination isn’t just for breakfast. Yogurt and granola make a protein-packed, filling snack. Avoid yogurt with added sugars or artificial sweeteners if possible. I like to purchase plain yogurt, then sweeten it myself with maple syrup or honey.
  • Trail Mix. Portable and fun to eat! I typically opt for the trail mix that includes a variety of nuts and dried fruits, with as little added sugar as possible (except for chocolate chips; I do love a handful of those!).
  • Roasted Chickpeas. When roasted, chickpeas become golden, crunchy, and addictive. You can find roasted chickpeas at many grocery stores and online here. You can also roast them yourself.
    • To roast your own chickpeas: Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Rinse a 15-ounce can of chickpeas, then lightly pat dry. Spread chickpeas in a single layer on a parchment or silicon mat-lined baking sheet. Drizzle with 1 tablespoon olive oil, then sprinkle with kosher salt and any spices you like. My favorite is 1/4 teaspoon cumin and a bit of black pepper. Roast until lightly crisp and dark golden, 20 to 30 minutes minutes, shaking the pan once or twice during baking so that the chickpeas roast evenly. Let cool and munch.
    • I also love to make this Roasted Chickpea Snack Mix.

5 Snacks for Weight Loss (Lower Calorie and More Filling)

Healthy Golden Raisin Energy BItes made for healthy snacks

When selecting healthy snacks to promote weight loss, look for high fiber and protein to help you stay fuller longer. These snacks will sustain you for hours without wrecking your calorie intake for the day. Win-win!

5 Healthy Snacks for Kids

Crispy Baked Apple Chips. Simple oven recipe with just cinnamon and apples, no sugar or dehydrator needed! Easy, healthy, and so much better than store bought. Kids love them and they are great for gifts and healthy snacks. Recipe at wellplated.com

When thinking about healthy snacks for kids, ease and taste is key! These healthy snack ideas are fun to eat and full of good-for-you ingredients (don’t worry; they’ll never even know).

Strawberry blueberry smoothie in a glass topped with fresh fruit

All this snack-chat has left me famished. It’s time to raid my healthy snacks stash!

What about you? What are your favorite snacks? Please share them in the comments below. I always love to hear your thoughts and ideas!

5 snacks to keep around at all times for healthy eating

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Erin Clarke

Hi, I'm Erin Clarke, and I'm fearlessly dedicated to making healthy food that's affordable, easy-to-make, and best of all DELISH. I'm the author and recipe developer here at wellplated.com and of The Well Plated Cookbook. I adore both sweets and veggies, and I am on a mission to save you time and dishes. WELCOME!

Learn more about Erin

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16 Comments

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  1. Love this list — especially for a work from home mama! Having an open pantry and stocked fridge feet away from my desk is not good for the waste line. :) The energy bites and yogurt + are going to be my new go-to snacks.

  2. I’m a dried fruit snacker: figs, dates, mango, anything dried! I know I should balance it with nuts, and I try to..but I usually eat 3 walnuts and half a pound of dried fruit ;)

  3. PREACH – “Peanut Butter + Almost any Fruit or Veggie” is FANTASTIC! Have you tried peanut butter and dates with a couple of chocolate chips? So ah-mazing!

  4. I feel like this post could’ve been written by me. I am a snack addict (in a good way). Emergency stash in purse and more than enough snacks on *any* trip? Yes! My favorite “emergency snack” for my purse when I’m on my last errand and I absolutely, positively CANNOT go another minute without eating something are mini Lara Bars. Convenient and just filling enough to get me through…till my next snack. :)

  5. Love snacking! I always overpack on snacks for every trip. It’s better to have too much, than not enough, right? Hehe Great snack choices, Erin!

  6. Our current favorite snack is Double Chocolate Quest bars (or other flavors, as long as they are sweetened with Stevia).  I found a recipe for energy balls that I could adapt to fit my nutritional desires, and really like those.  Also scones made with almond flour in place of regular flour.  Can’t forget the red wine and dark chocolate…

  7. i often forget about roasted chickpeas – i do lots of energy bites and fruits but i  need more savory things in my life for snacks. 

  8. Snacking is so serious! I’m glad you understand :) I love this list- I need to give roasted chick peas a try. Happy Thursday :)

    http://www.lovecompassionatelee.com/

  9. I agree that having healthy snacks on hand for the whole family is key. There is plenty of flavor to love about healthy snacks they often just require a tad more preparation or imagination so thanks for all the wonderful ideas. It is always fun to try a new snack! I just love energy balls and you have so many fun flavor combos. I can’t wait to try more of them.

  10. This was a list of healthy snacks that actually seems edible and simple – unlike many other snack lists I looked at! Thank you!!!