Eating healthy doesn’t mean giving up on snacktime. Here are 15 crave-worthy healthy snacks that will satisfy your stomach and your taste buds!
Fruit is Mother Nature’s candy. It’s sweet, it’s juicy, and usually requires little to no preparation. Whether you’re munching on a handful of berries or a filling banana, you’ll never feel guilty after snacking on fruit. Try getting locally grown fruit from a nearby farmer’s market during the spring or summer–seasonal flavors are a special treat that shouldn’t be taken for granted!
While fruit is amazing, and delicious, it’s not always the most convenient healthy snack. If your favorite fruits are out of season, or you don’t want to lug around a bunch of apples in your purse, or you’re worried about the juice making a sticky mess, try dried fruit. Dried fruit has long been a personal healthy snack favorite of mine because of the crystalline, candied quality they take on. It’s a different flavor and texture than fresh fruit, and it’s sure to be your new healthy snack addiction.
If you’re looking for a healthy alternative to ice cream, try frozen yogurt bites! They’re super easy to make. Just scoop small dollops of frozen yogurt onto a baking tray and stick it in the freezer for at least two hours, and then enjoy your tasty frozen treat!
Another healthy snack similar to frozen yogurt drops is frozen yogurt blueberries. Just dip blueberries in greek yogurt, place them on a baking tray, and stick them in the freezer. If you want to shake it up a bit, try this recipe with strawberries, peaches, or any other in-season berry!
Try substituting chips and dip for pretzels and hummus. Not only is hummus a great plant-based source of protein, but it’s also delicious! Use veggies like carrots, celery, and bell peppers in lieu of chips–they’ll provide the crunch you’ve been craving. This savory dipping combo is a classic healthy snack you can feel good about.
Try putting a twist on one of our favorite healthy snacks by grilling your fruit. Just slice up some pineapple, peaches, or watermelon, and fire up the grill! The smoky flavor of the grill is a yummy contrast to the fruit’s natural sweetness, making it one of summertime’s best healthy snacks.
Whether you like them baked and crispy or fresh and juicy, chickpeas are a delicious, healthy snack. You can buy pre-baked chickpea snacks from your local grocery store. To eat them cold, just pour some canned chickpeas into a bowl, add a dash of salt, and dig in!
Trail mix is one of the most iconic snacks for exploring the great outdoors. It’s a well-rounded snack that’s easy to prepare and has the nutrients to get you through a long and active day. Just throw your favorite cereal, dried fruit, and nuts in a baggie, shake thoroughly, and enjoy!
If you’re looking for a healthy snack with a bit more oomph to it, check out this recipe for a Fresh & Healthy Mexican 7-Layer Dip. Nosh on it at home, or take to a potluck or football party to share with friends!
This is my go-to healthy dessert alternative, and it’s as easy as it is scrumptious. Just dice a peach and put the pieces in a bowl. Sprinkle brown sugar over it, stir it up to distribute the sugar evenly, and eat it with a spoon. It’s a simple dessert that beats ice cream any day! For a warm treat akin to peach cobbler, add cinnamon and cook your brown sugar peaches in the microwave!
You don’t have to wait until mealtime to enjoy the salty-sweet goodness of a PB&J. Find the quick easy recipe for sandwich sushi here. This bite-sized remix of the classic lunchbox favorite is sure to become one of your new go-to healthy snacks!
If you, like me, often find yourself craving chips, popcorn is a great low-calorie alternative. Popcorn is super filling, too, which will soothe your urge to keep going back to the pantry for that bag of Cheetos you’ve been saving for cheat day.
This handy little snack is a great alternative for making an entire dish to satisfy a smaller craving for something sweet and salty. Grab a box of your favorite crackers and your favorite jam or jelly for toast. Spread a thin layer of the jam/jelly on 3-5 crackers, and you have a quick, easy little bite that will satisfy both your sweet and salty cravings.
If you want, add another cracker topped with peanut butter to make your toast bite into a bite-sized PB & J!
If you own a waffle iron, this easy recipe is another healthy snack you can make when you’re craving something sweet. These one-minute baked apple slices will satisfy your cravings for a thick slice of apple pie, with just a fraction of the calories! Find the recipe here!
Nuts are packed with protein, but I usually can’t stand to eat raw nuts without dressing them up a bit for flavor. Here’s my personal recipe for a quick snack of honey-butter pecans.
Ingredients: 1 cup of pecans, 2 tbsp butter, honey, small plastic container with lid
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Measure out 1 cup of pecans into a plastic Tupperware container.
3. Melt butter.
4. Pour butter into Tupperware. Drizzle honey into Tupperware. Place the lid on the Tupperware and shake thoroughly.
5. Pour pecans onto a greased pan. Put them in the oven for 5-7 minutes. After 5 minutes, remove the pan. Use a spatula to flip over the pecans. Cook for another 5-7 minutes. Serve hot.
What are your go-to easy, healthy snacks? Share your favorites in the comments below!
Featured Image Source via instagram.com.
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