Can snacking be a part of a healthy diet? Of course! When you choose a snack, choose one with protein, fat and/or fiber. All of these nutrients take longer to digest, so they fill you up. Snacks are also a great way to add extra nutrition to your day. Think of snacks like carrots and hummus, an apple with almond butter or whole-grain crackers with cheese. Also, if you let yourself get too hungry, you're more likely to overeat at your next meal. So even though we tend to think of chips and candy as "snack" foods, eating snacks can help you from overeating.
You may think that calories are the most important thing for snacking when it comes to losing weight. But you can have 100 calories of jelly beans and not be satisfied at all, versus eating 200 calories of nuts and dried fruit. That's not to say calories don't matter at all, but it's also important to choose a snack that delivers nutrition and fills you up. All of our weight-loss meal plans allow for two snacks a day and on the 1,500-calorie meal plans each snack is around 200 calories per day.
Mixed Nuts
Nuts are an ideal nutritious snack.
They’re linked to a reduced risk of heart disease and may help prevent certain cancers, depression, and other illnesses.
Despite being relatively high in fat, they are very filling. Several studies suggest that eating nuts in moderation can help you lose weight.
Nuts provide the perfect balance of healthy fat, protein, and fiber. They contain 180 calories in a 1-ounce (28-gram) serving, on average.
Because they don’t require refrigeration, they’re perfect for taking on the go.
Greek Yogurt and Mixed Berries
Plain Greek yogurt and berries make a delicious, nutrient-dense snack.
In addition to being a great source of calcium and potassium, Greek yogurt is also high in protein.
Berries are one of the best sources of antioxidants around. Eat a mixture of differently colored berries to get an array of these powerful compounds.
Combining 3.5 ounces (100 grams) of plain, full-fat Greek yogurt with 1/2 cup (50 grams) of mixed berries provides about 10 grams of protein and under 150 calories.
Apple Slices with Peanut Butter
Apples and peanut butter taste fantastic together.
Apples are high in fiber and polyphenol antioxidants that improve gut health and reduce heart disease risk.
Peanut butter may have additional benefits for heart health. It has been shown to increase HDL (good) cholesterol and reduce LDL (bad) cholesterol and triglycerides.
That said, peanut butter is fairly high in calories. Although it generally hasn’t been linked to weight gain, it’s best consumed in moderation.
A medium apple with 1 tablespoon (15 grams) of natural peanut butter provides a nice balance of sweet flavor with crisp and creamy textures at under 200 calories.
Dark Chocolate and Almonds
Dark chocolate and almonds make a rich, satisfying, and portable snack.
Dark chocolate is loaded with flavanols that may lower blood pressure and reduce heart disease risk, provided the chocolate contains at least 70% cocoa solids.
Almonds are high in heart-healthy monounsaturated fat and have beneficial effects on blood sugar control. Studies also show that they can reduce appetite and help you lose weight.
Both dark chocolate and almonds are high in magnesium. One ounce (30 grams) of each provides about 300 calories in total, depending on cocoa content.
Cherry Tomatoes with Mozzarella
Tomatoes and mozzarella cheese are a flavor match made in heaven — and they’re healthy, too.
Tomatoes are rich in vitamin C, potassium, and lycopene, an antioxidant that may reduce your risk of cancer and heart disease.
Mozzarella is high in protein, calcium and vitamin B12. It may also decrease heart disease risk by raising your levels of HDL (good) cholesterol.
One cup (149 grams) of cherry tomatoes paired with 2 ounces (60 grams) of mozzarella cheese has under 200 calories.
Whey Protein Shake
A whey protein shake is a good snack when you need something substantial until your next meal.
Studies show that whey protein can help you gain muscle, lose fat, and improve body composition.
Many great whey protein supplements are available online. Look for types without added sugar.
Here’s a recipe for a shake that contains about 150–200 calories and 20–25 grams of protein, depending on the type of protein powder used.
Canned Salmon or Sardines
Canned fish is a fantastic, healthy snack that requires no refrigeration.
Salmon and sardines are extremely high in omega-3 fatty acids that decrease your risk of heart disease and other health problems.
Fish is also a great source of weight-loss-friendly protein, potassium, and vitamin B12. Many types of fish are also high in magnesium.
A 3.5-ounce (100-gram) serving of salmon or sardines contains 17–23 grams of protein and 130–180 calories.
Olives
Olives are one of the nutritious staples of the Mediterranean diet.
They are very high in heart-healthy monounsaturated fats and provide powerful antioxidants like oleuropein.
The plant compounds in olives may reduce inflammation, insulin resistance, and cancer risk.
Depending on their size, 25 green or black olives have 100–175 calories.
Spicy Avocado
Avocados are among the most nutritious and satisfying foods on the planet.
Studies show that they can help lower LDL (bad) cholesterol, improve symptoms of arthritis, and protect your skin from sun damage.
What’s more, avocados are high in fiber, potassium, magnesium, and monounsaturated fat.
Sprinkle half a medium avocado with salt and a dash of cayenne pepper for a savory, filling snack with around 130 calories.
