Reach for one of these good-for-you snacks the next time you're hit with a craving.
Contrary to popular belief, your habit of snacking throughout the day can actually be an excellent way to stay energized and alert during even your busiest moments. Choosing healthy snacks that are packed with nutrients, vitamins, and minerals will fuel your body and keep your blood sugar levels steady. Some studies have even found that grazing on healthy snacks has even been proven to prevent you from overeating at meals.
Although fulfilling the occasional doughnut craving isn't a bad thing, reaching for healthy snacks full of protein and other good-for-you ingredients more often will keep that sluggish, mid-afternoon blah feeling at bay. And with a little experimentation, you can find healthy snacks that satisfy all your cravings, whether you want something sweet, salty, crunchy, or all of the above. The best snacks are the ones that are easy to make, taste great, and fill you up without weighing you down. And you don't have to be an expert in the kitchen to prepare snacks that are simple to make, taste great, and good for you. These easy healthy snack ideas are perfect even for novices in the kitchen and often they don't require more than a handful of ingredients to make. Whether you're in the mood for something warm and salty like these edamame beans or something sweet like these roasted apples, there's something on this list of healthy snacks to help satisfy whatever you're craving. So go ahead and get snackin'.
This tasty popcorn only has 65 calories per serving, and it's packed full of flavor that you wouldn't expect from your typical popcorn snack.
Get the Ranch Popcorn recipe.
Smoothie bowls don't have to be for breakfast. Eat this colorful snack any time of day for a raspberry-banana treat.
Get the Smoothie Bowls recipe.
These fruit and nut bars are great to make ahead and throw in your bag when you know you have a long day ahead of you. They're full of good-for-you ingredients like nuts, honey, and rolled oats.
Get the Fruit and Nut Bars recipe.
If you're looking for a more exciting way to get your vegetables, try these broccoli rolls, which you can make in advance and freeze to reheat anytime you want a savory snack.
Get the Broccoli and Cheddar Rollups recipe.
These homemade crispy chickpeas are the perfect replacement to prepackaged crackers.
Get the Crispy Chickpeas recipe.
Satisfy a your sweet tooth by pairing some low-cal vanilla yogurt with roasted apples. It's a light snack that will fill you up and tastes great.
Get the Roasted Apples recipe.
The perfect pick-me-up that you can grab and go between your busy schedule.
Get the Apple Energy Balls recipe.
60 calories of chocolate and coffee goodness? Yes please.
Get the Breakfast Coffee Cookies recipe.
Nachos can never be beat and while it's certainly okay to splurge on the chips and cheese come game day these healthy apple nachos are sure to become your new favorite.
Get the Apple Nachos recipe.
Skip the after school sandwiches with these easy-to-bake PB & J bars.
Get the PB&J Bars recipe.
Skip bags of pre-packaged trail mix and make your own instead. Once you pick your ingredients — we suggest pretzels, pecans, almonds, peanuts, Cheerios and pepitas — season them, drizzle with olive oil, and bake for 15 minutes.
Get the snack mix recipe.
Grab your favorite veggies and dip them into this creamy artichoke dip. It's only 25 calories per 1/4 cup, so you can much away guilt-free.
Get the Roasted Broccoli–Artichoke Dip recipe.
You'll only need one of these filling muffins to hold you over in-between meals — but it'll be hard to resist having a second.
Get the Peanut Butter and Jelly Muffin recipe.
You'd never guess that these fruity peach ice pops are only 65 calories per serving.
Get the Peach Melba Ice Pops recipe.
With 24 g protein, these stuffed zucchini slices are sure to keep you full until dinner. To make it vegan and cut some calories, eliminate the Pepper Jack Cheese and chorizo.
Get the Tex Mex Stuffed Zucchini with Black Beans recipe.
Snacks in jars are just more fun. This light egg recipe has an impressive 19 g protein, too.
Get the Tomato, Mozzarella, and Basil Scrambled Eggs recipe.
This dip is packed with tasty veggies like green olives, pomegranate seeds, and walnuts for a quick bite.
Get the Green Olive, Walnut, and Pomegranate Dip recipe.
Instead of chowing down on sugary cookies, try making these bars made from molasses, dried cherries, and candied ginger.
Get the Cherry-Ginger Hermit Bars recipe.
These protein-packed savory treats will fuel you through busy days, and taste great for a mid-morning or afternoon snack.
Get the Cheddar Zucchini Muffins recipe.
You can whip up this delicious red pepper-flavored homemade hummus in just 20 minutes.
Get the Hummus Crackers recipe.
A healthy alternative to popsicles, these fruit kebabs feature pieces of frozen mango and pineapple. For extra sweetness, add a drizzle of white chocolate on top.
Get the Frozen Tropical Fruit Kebabs recipe.
For a sweet boost to your afternoon yogurt, just add jam. Mix 1 Tbsp jam with 1 container nonfat plain Greek yogurt for a filling snack that's packed with protein.
With no cholesterol, this snack is a heart-healthy take on traditional hard-boiled egg recipe. Cut 2 hard-boiled eggs in half and discard the yolks. Add 2 tsp hummus to each half + a sprinkle of hot paprika, if desired.
Sprinkle a pinch of Asian 5-spice seasoning and sea salt on 1 cup steamed edamame for this tasty snack.
Mix 1 Tbsp semisweet chocolate chips + 6 oz nonfat vanilla Greek yogurt for a late-night snack that curbs your sugar cravings.
Slice one banana and spread 1 Tsp natural peanut butter on each side. Sandwich together, wrap in plastic wrap, and freeze for four hours. These are sure to satisfy sugar cravings after dinner.
Heat your oven to 450° F. In a bowl, combine 1 cup whole-wheat panko bread crumbs + 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan + ½ Tsp garlic powder + 1¼ Tsp Kosher salt + ½ Tsp black pepper + 1 Tbsp olive oil. Cut 1 medium eggplant into 3-in.-long sticks (about ½-in. thick). Coat the sticks in ½ cup whole-wheat flour, then 3 large beaten egg whites (let the excess drip off), then the panko mixture, pressing gently to adhere. Transfer to nonstick foil-lined baking sheets and bake until golden brown and tender, about 20 minutes.
For a delicious low-calorie snack, spread 1 Tbsp reduced-fat cream cheese on each of four celery stalks. Add raisins for some sweetness.
Skip the fried breadcrumbs and dip one part-skim mozzarella stick in ¼ cup warmed marinara sauce for a healthier version of the appetizer.
Sprinkle 2 Tsp ground cinnamon on four cups of air-popped popcorn for a low-calorie sweet treat.