When hunger strikes between meals, a healthy snack not only helps to tide you over until your next meal, but it also helps boost energy and maintain blood sugar levels to keep you going strong. Below are 10 healthy snack ideas that taste delicious and can easily fit into a busy lifestyle. Some of these ideas take a few minutes of preparation the night before, but once that’s done, they are a quick grab and go option for when you’re heading out the door.
- Apple or celery sticks with nut butter (look for NB with no additives)
- Cucumber, carrots, or snap peas with hummus
- Bell peppers or jicama sticks with guacamole
- Hard-boiled egg and V8 juice
- Berry smoothie with roasted chickpeas
- Chia seed pudding with fruit
- Greek yogurt with mixed berries
- Oatmeal with cinnamon and apples slices
- Green smoothie and a small handful of nuts
- Cheese stick and an apple
- Rice cake with nut butter and banana slices
Another way to make a snack is to powerup your fruits and vegetables with a protein. This not only makes them more interesting and delicious but also more nutritious and substantial. Here is chart to get you started. Use your creativity to mix and match different combinations. Once you get started you'll have even more ideas to add to the list.
| Fruits 1 Cup | Paring 1/8 Cup | Veggies 1 Cup | Pairing 1/8 Cup | |
| Apples Grapes Peaches Bananas Bluberries Strawberries Raspberries Oranges | Peanut Butter Greek Yogurt String Cheese Cottage Cheese Nuts or Seeds | Cucumbers Carrots Bell Peppers Celery Jicama Cauliflower Broccoli Tomatoes | Mozzarella Cheese Deli Meat Hummas Low-Fat Dressing Boiled Egg Yogurt Dip |