13 Skinny Snacks That Will Help You Eat Healthy
Updated: Jan. 14, 2022You don't need to limit yourself to reach your health goals! It’s just a matter of choosing the right foods. Here’s your go-to guide for healthier snacks.
Looking for healthy alternatives when hunger strikes? There are a ton of tasty foods you can make at home that are completely guilt-free and great for your body. All it takes is a little preparation, patience, and packing for snacking on-the-go!
Zucchini Fries
Although fries are made from potatoes, which are technically a vegetable, the calories can add up fast and keep you from your health goals. Swap it out for these lower-calorie zucchini fries, which are baked and not fried with copious amounts of oil.
Popcorn
The popcorn you get at the movie theater may seem extremely unhealthy, but if you’re making popcorn at home from scratch, you are saving yourself hundreds of calories. Plain popcorn is a great (and cheap) snack that will satisfy that crunchy craving at a mere 30-35 calories per cup. Want to boost the flavor? Look to your spice rack. This Rosemary-Parmesan Popcorn recipe tastes practically gourmet.
Berries
Need a sugar fix? Say no to the ice cream and yes to a berry salad. Try this Honey-Yogurt Berry Salad recipe to start! Berries are a great source of antioxidants (which help fight chronic diseases) and fiber (good for the digestive system). If you’re not a fan of berries, try another one of these delicious fruit salad recipes.
Hummus
Just because you’re trying to lose weight doesn’t mean your snacks are limited to naked veggie sticks. Make a fresh batch of hummus to dip them in! Hummus is made from chickpeas, which has good protein that will help you feel full throughout the day. Here’s how to make classic hummus.
Roasted Chickpeas
Not a fan of hummus? That doesn’t mean you have to rule out chickpeas! Instead, roast up these seasoned chickpeas to snack on instead of grabbing a bag of chips. This healthy recipe is seasoned with chili and lime.
Overnight Oatmeal
Overnight oats don’t have to just be a breakfast item, but an easy snack to-go! Prep a couple small jars of overnight oats for you to grab on your way out the door. Get the full recipe here. Although oats are calorie-dense, they are still a powerful source of fiber, which is great for your overall digestion. Here are 7 more reasons why oatmeal should be your favorite superfood.
Smoothies
Doesn’t a milkshake sound like heaven right now? Agreed, which is why I drink smoothies constantly. That may sound ridiculous, but smoothies are creamy and filled with good fruits and natural sugars that make me miss the actual milkshakes less and less. Plus, yogurt is full of probiotics, which is good for your gut. Try this healthy smoothie recipe packed with bananas, blueberries, peaches and mango.
Peanut Butter Granola Mini Bars
Granola bars always seem like a healthy snack, but the prepackaged kind are typically filled with unnecessary sugars that aren’t helping you with those weight loss goals. So instead, make these homemade granola bars to munch on! Yes, they still have a bit of sugar, but not nearly as much as the kind you buy at the store.
Fig Jam
Who says snack time has to be basic? This fig jam recipe is the perfect way to give your snack some class. Serve it on a whole-wheat cracker and sprinkle with either a little blue cheese or prosciutto. Figs are high in fiber and include magnesium, potassium, calcium, vitamin B6 and vitamin K.
Mixed Nuts
This spicy nut mix is low in carbs and free from added sugars, which are two foods you want to avoid if you want to lose weight. Nuts are high in healthy unsaturated fats, which yes, your body does need. Healthy fats can help to lower the “bad” cholesterol in your body. Nuts also are packed with fiber, protein, and lots of vitamins and minerals. Get the recipe.
Banana Muffins
However, if you need that carb fix, you may as well satisfy it with a carb that isn’t processed and full of sugar. Mini muffins are a great snack item for moments like this. Making muffins such as these let you control the amount of carbs or sugar you are eating, instead of buying a jumbo muffin at the café with absolutely no idea how much sugar is really in it. Bake a big batch of these feel-good banana muffins and freeze for later.
Baked Veggie Chips
Yes, you can still have chips during snack time. Try chips made from beets, parsnips, or sweet potatoes. Plus, baked chips mean consuming less oil, and gives you control of how much salt you want to sprinkle on. Try our easy homemade recipe.
Veggie Dip
Anyone else a huge fan of creamy veggie dips? Well, they are actually easy to make right at home and are a great way to snack on those veggies. Try this recipe. Did you know that cream cheese is actually encouraged on the Keto diet?
