Snacks are an important part of a healthy diet because they can boost metabolism, prevent weight gain, and provide the energy you need to stay strong all day long. Choose the wrong types of snacks, however, and you may find yourself skipping the gym for the couch. In today’s fast-paced world, it can be tempting to choose pre-packaged goodies that are loaded with sugars and artificial ingredients that will cause you to crash and burn. That’s why it’s important to plan ahead and always have nutritious, healthy snacks on hand. We recommend preparing snacks ahead of time to store in the fridge and pantry. So, the next time that mid-afternoon fatigue hits, reach out for healthy snacks you already have stored and ready-to-go. This will help you stay on target with your healthy eating plan and weight loss goals.
20 Healthy Snacks to Have on Hand
1. Hard-Boiled Eggs
Hard-boiled eggs are healthy and easy to prepare. Eggs are also filling and contain only 80 calories each.
Try: Avocado Stuffed Deviled Eggs
2. Low Fat Cottage Cheese
Cottage cheese is full of protein and calcium. A half cup of low fat cottage cheese totals 100 calories. The protein in cottage cheese is valuable for muscle enhancement.
Try: Cottage Cheese Breakfast Bowl
3. Apples
Apples are a good source of fiber and anti-oxidants that help the immune system. One medium size apple has 4 g of fiber and 95 calories.
Try: Instant Pot Cinnamon Apples
4. Hummus Dip
Hummus is low in fat and carbohydrates but packs in protein. Try our Zucchini Hummus or Sweet Potato Hummus recipes!
5. Organic Popcorn
Air-popped organic popcorn contains polyphenols, a chemical that rids the body of toxins that damage blood cells. One serving is usually 2-3 cups.
6. Almonds
Almonds are protein-rich. Almonds are a good source of magnesium and vitamin E, an important anti-oxidant. Keep a serving size to 1 ounce.
 7. Greek Yogurt
Yogurt is low in fat and high in protein and calcium. It also helps remove bad bacteria from the digestive tract.
Try: Greek Yogurt Bark
8. Natural Peanut Butter On Celery
Natural peanut butter loaded with protein. Spread it on celery for a healthy snack.
Try: Skinny Peanut Butter Yogurt Dip
9. Grapes
Grapes are very low in calories. Thirty grapes totals only 100 calories. The nutrients in grapes help cleanse the liver and prevent cell damage.
10. Avocado
The avocado has a variety of nutrients for energy, mood enhancement and appetite suppression. According to the USDA’s nutritional database, one medium avocado has 240 calories.
Try: Avocado Fries with Spicy Honey Lime Sauce
11. Pears
One pear contains 6 g of fiber and an array of vitamins and minerals. Snacking on pears helps prevent colon cancer and sickness.
12. Cherry Tomatoes
Cherry tomatoes are chock-full of vitamins. Eating tomatoes lowers your risk for cancer and cardiovascular disease.
Try: Cucumber, Tomato, and Avocado Salad
13. Baked Sweet Potato
Sweet potatoes are high in fiber and vitamin B6, a vitamin that helps prevent hardening of the arteries and blood vessels. The beta-carotene in sweet potatoes also promotes healthy skin.
14. Celery
Celery is high in vitamin C. The potassium and magnesium in celery helps regulate and lower blood pressure.
15. Cantaloupe
Slice a cantaloupe in advance and refrigerate it for a healthy snack at work. Cantaloupe is another high vitamin C food.
Try: Cantaloupe Granita
16. Baby Carrots
Carrots are low in calories and include a large amount of vitamin A, which can improve eyesight in the dark.
17. Tuna in Water
Tuna is low in calories and one can of tuna in water has 10 g of protein. Add tuna to your salad, or eat it on whole grain bread.
Try: The Best Cucumber Tuna Sandwich Recipe
18. Oatmeal
The beta-gluten in oatmeal benefits the immune system and eating oatmeal daily lowers cholesterol. The anti-oxidants in oatmeal protect the heart.
Try: High Protein Overnight Oats
19. Strawberries
One cup of strawberries makes a nice little snack and it’s only 43 calories. Strawberries are also high in fiber and vitamin C.
Try: Vegan Chocolate Strawberry Coconut Butter Cups
20. Mary’s Gone Crackers
These gluten free crackers are made with organic brown rice and quinoa. You can crunch 13 crackers in each serving! Triscuits are one of the healthier crackers to snack on. Triscuits are made from whole wheat and 120 calories per serving. Spread natural peanut butter on top for extra flavor.
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Which of these healthy snacks to have on hand is your favorite? Are you going to add any of them to your diet? Be sure to like our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram and Pinterest for tasty recipes, clean eating tips, and healthy lifestyle resources. Subscribe to our eNewsletter too!
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I like all of these for snacks. I am especially fond of sweet potatoes or was until I discovered they are a culprit in causing inflammation in the nervous system. This is not good for me – a diagnosed Fibromyalgia champion! Gluten free has helped tremendously but we also have to be watchful of foods that cause inflammation. White sugar is not an option for me. Honey, blue agave, stevia are all good choices for my sweet tooth. Thank you for this list as I still learning about GF.
Christina, You are so welcome! 🙂
Does it make a difference if it's baby carrots or full-sized ones? I'm thinking that the bigger carrots pack more nutrients, but I could be wrong.
Donald, Makes no difference nutritionally speaking…so either will work! 🙂
It does not make a difference. Fresh picked carrots may have higher vitamin levels. The spherical baby carrots in the package are big carrots cut down, they don't grow that way.
Sweet potatoes are an anti-inflammatory, so I'm confused by the comment above. If you go (for example) Dr. Weil's website, or google "sweet potatoes anti-inflammatory" – a plethora of information is available. Even my dogs are on a sweet potato inclusive diet. 🙂
Kali, What comment are you referring to?
She was referring to the one about sweet potatoes causing inflammation….by Christina…..Sweet potatoes fight inflammation….not cause it.
Great list! Thanks for sharing!
I’m interested in almonds do they cause leaky gut I also think oatmeal is great I’d eat that alot I had gall bladder surgery 2 weeks ago bland diet to follow what’s s bland diet. Thank you Cheryl