When it comes to dealing with low energy between meals and hunger pangs, having healthy snacks is essential. Unfortunately, many popular snacks are immensely high in sugar and refined carbs, both of which aren’t necessarily healthy nor filling. When you’re seeking lasting energy, you need snacks that include protein and fiber.
Typically, when we’re feeling hungry, we eat whatever we can find. However, that is usually cookies, potato chips, and unhealthy granola bars that are packed with sugar. Nevertheless, with only a little bit of preparation, we can ensure that we’re eating healthy, nutritious, and delicious snacks. There are both nourishing homemade snack options, as well as ready-to-eat store bought choices. Below you’ll discover some great healthy and energizing snack options that you’ll love!
Cottage Cheese
Cottage cheese is an excellent healthy snack option because it’s incredibly versatile. It can be either savory or sweet depending on the topics that you choose. Since cottage cheese is so versatile, you can eat it often and never get tired of it.
Great topping choices for cottage cheese include chopped peppers, chopped cucumber, berries, and dark chocolate chips. Remember, those are just a few ideas. Basically, when it comes to cottage cheese toppings, the options are endless! Several companies also offer single serve cottage cheese cups, which makes it more portable.
Dark Chocolate Covered Almonds
Dark chocolate covered almonds are the perfect snack option for those times when you’re craving something sweet. Instead of reaching for the cookies or cake, snack on some dark chocolate covered almonds instead. It is a healthier choice because dark chocolate covered almonds have fiber and protein, as well as healthy fats that will make you feel full.
Also, it is shown that almonds, whether or not they are covered in chocolate, help to reduce cholesterol levels. Furthermore, dark chocolate has beneficial antioxidants and counteracts oxidative damage that causes inflammation.
Homemade Trail Mix
Trail mix is one of the simplest and easiest snacks to make. It provides a quick source of energy, which makes it a great choice for when you need a boost. Also, trail mix is nutrient dense, so you can be sure that you’re eating healthy.
Making your own trail mix is better than the store bought options because you can ensure that only healthy ingredients are added. Unfortunately, many store bought trail mixes include too much sugar and other unhealthy ingredients.
Some excellent ingredients to add in your homemade trail mix include nuts, unsweetened coconut, unsweetened dried fruit, dark chocolate, and seeds.
Bananas, Oranges, and Apples
Bananas, oranges, and apples are some of the best fruits to snack on. They provide a good energy boost, they’re healthy, and they are loaded with vitamins. Specifically, bananas are chock full of potassium, vitamin B, vitamin C, and fiber. Apples also have vitamin C, fiber, and potassium. Oranges are a wonderful source of vitamin C.
All fruits are healthy, however, bananas, oranges, and apples are the most popular snack options because they are portable. You can always carry them in your bag or keep them at your desk. Oranges, bananas, and apples contain good carbs, so they’re sure to give you some extra energy!
Yogurt
Yogurt is a superb snack! It’s very nourishing and contains protein, calcium, B vitamins, and minerals. Furthermore, yogurt is shown to benefit digestive health and aid with weight control. Nevertheless, not all yogurt is created equally.
There are many healthy yogurt options out there, but there are also several unhealthy options that you should avoid. When choosing which yogurt to get, ensure that it is low-fat and unsweetened. Also, plain yogurt is preferable.
If you want the yogurt to be more filling, consider adding some healthy toppings. Great options for healthy yogurt toppings include granola, strawberries, almond butter, blueberries, dates, walnuts, and chia seeds.
Green Smoothie
Green smoothies are shown to improve digestion, improve hydration, offer immunity support, improve bone strength, and lower risk of chronic diseases. Green smoothies are super easy to make, but, keep in mind that your smoothie needs to have protein in order to be able to tide you over between meals. Good sources of protein to consider including in your green smoothie include chia seeds, hemp seeds, nut butter, and plain yogurt.
The great thing about green smoothies is that there are so many possibilities! Depending on what you’re craving during any given day, you can customize your green smoothie. Some of our favorite ingredients for green smoothies include celery, spinach, kiwi, and kale.
Popcorn
Popcorn can be a very healthy and energizing snack. It’s high in fiber, low in calories, nutritious, and filling. However, in order for popcorn to be healthy, it needs to be low in fat and butter. Also, microwave popcorn should be avoided, as well as any popcorn that contains added sweeteners.
Some of the healthiest store bought popcorn options include 365 Everyday Value Organic Classic Salted Popcorn, SkinnyPop Original Popped Popcorn, Angie’s Boomchickapop Sea Salt Popcorn, and Lesser Evil Organic Himalayan Salt Pink Salt Popcorn. If you prefer to make your own popcorn, ensure that it is made on the stovetop as that is the healthiest option.
Baked Veggie Chips
Baked veggie chips are a satisfying, healthy, and shelf-stable snack. While there are plenty of store bought baked veggie chip options, they unfortunately often have lots of unnecessary additives and are made using unhealthy oils. That’s why making your own baked veggie chips is often the best option when you’re seeking a healthy and nutritious snack.
When you make your own veggie chips, you control the ingredients, thus ensuring that it’s healthy. You can make veggie chips using any veggies you’d like. Thinly slice the veggies, brush them with a minimal amount of olive oil, and bake them on a baking sheet at 225°F for around 2 hours. If you really don’t want to make your own veggie chips, somewhat healthy store bought options include Brad’s Plant Based Organic Kale Veggie Chips, Bare Snacks Sea Salt Baked Beet Chips, and Terra Sweets & Beets Vegetable Chips.
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