Whether it’s from boredom, hunger, or habit, snacking is a common experience for almost everyone. The urge to snack is the bane of healthy eaters everywhere, but it doesn’t necessarily have to be. The biggest problem with snacking isn’t the eating, but the food choices!
So instead of going completely cold turkey on your midday snacks, we put together a list of some great, healthy snack choices for you. These foods won’t break the bank, and you might even find your new favorite food!
Healthy Snacking Suggestions
People will sometimes shudder at the phrase “healthy snacks” as it conjures up images of plain cottage cheese and extreme dieting. Thankfully, health food is beginning to shed that old stigma, and more people are finding tasty, nutritious snacks to satisfy their cravings.
Our list centers around our favorite foods across the snacking categories (salty, crunchy, sweet, spicy, etc.) and, hopefully, helps you on your journey to healthy snacking!
Crunchy Snacks
Sometimes, all we’re craving is a satisfying, crunchy food to occupy our minds. Instead of reaching for a candy bar or box of crackers, try these following two foods!
Kale Chips
Kale is a polarizing food; either you love it or hate it. However, if you’ve never been a fan of kale, you might want to take a second shot with kale chips. Not only does it replace the crispy texture of chips, but it also packs a healthy punch too! Kale is a low-energy-density snack, meaning it gives you plenty of energy, with minimal calories, making it a great snack to munch away on.
Baby Carrots
If you’re looking for a heftier crunch from your food, try baby carrots. Baby carrots are cut from larger carrots and washed thoroughly before they are packaged, making it one of the easiest on-the-go snacks out there. Full of Vitamin A and C, baby carrots can give you the perfect healthy crunchy snack without sacrificing your diet.
Salty Snacks
One of the most popular snack foods out there, popcorn, is so popular because it satisfies our salty cravings. We found a few healthier alternatives to sub in for when you need to munch on something salty.
Trail Mix
Depending on who you ask, trail mix can contain a lot of different foods. Generally, though, it is a mixture of nuts and dried fruits that make for a tasty handful of nutrients. When made with the right stuff (not chocolate), Trail mix can be full of fibers and healthy fats. Depending on your preferences, you can easily make trail mix at home or find plenty of store-bought options if you want to save money.
Pumpkin Seeds
This suggestion might seem a little out of season if you’re used to only seeing pumpkin seeds around Halloween, but they make a great year-round snack. Even a tiny handful can give you a much-needed boost in the middle of the day. One ounce of pumpkin seeds can have eight grams of protein, as well as iron and potassium, making them an excellent replacement for chips! Sprinkle a pinch of salt over some roasted pumpkin seeds and enjoy.
Sweet Snacks
A sweet tooth can be one of the most challenging habits to kick, and finding healthy replacements for your favorite sweets can seem even more complicated. These next snacks are healthy, with a hint of sweetness, and can make for some tasty treats.
Nut Butters
For a long time, peanut butter has been in control of the nut butter scene, but recently, products like almond and cashew butter have been taking over grocery store shelves. Not all nut butter is created equal, and to make sure you’re getting the best version, look for natural, stir-in butter. Non-stir butter can sometimes be mixed with hydrogenated oils, which can take away from some of the other benefits.
Health Food Bars
One of the most accessible healthy snacks out there, health food bars can be loaded with nutrients and vitamins while also tasting great! Our MCTbars are filled with protein, collagen, and MCT oil, all while remaining gluten-free and keto-friendly. Best of all, they come in mouth-watering flavors like Cookie Dough and Caramel Sea Salt, making them an ideal dessert for anyone.
A Spicy (or not) Surprise
The final snack on our list is a little out of left field but remains one of the best health foods out there. It can be a great replacement for your favorite spicy snacks, but if you don’t like spice, there are plenty of other ways to make it!
Roasted Chickpeas
You probably know chickpeas in a different form (hummus), but roasted chickpeas might just be the perfect healthy snack. All you need is a can of chickpeas, some olive oil, and whatever spices you want, and you’ve got a delicious snack ready to go! Chickpeas are high in vitamins, minerals, and protein and make for one of the best cheap snacks for kids, parents, and everyone in between.
Rebuild Your Snack Bar
We all have a “snack bar” in our lives. Your snack bar can be anything; a table of food at work, your kitchen pantry at home, even the convenience store across the street. Having a snack bar isn’t a bad thing, but if your snack bar is full of finger food, ice cream, and potato chips, it will be hard to stick to eating healthy.
Use any of the cheap, healthy snacks listed in this article to start making your own healthy snack bar! If one of the foods sounded great, try it out and maybe it will inspire some healthy snack bar ideas of your own.
MCTco
At MCTco, we’re all about finding more ways to make healthy eating accessible to everyone. Our MCT Collagen Bars have a wide selection of flavors for breakfast, snacks, and even desserts, making sure that healthy eating doesn’t have to be hard!
MCT can help you make a positive change in your life. Try one of our bars today, and see how you can begin to fit healthy choices into your everyday life.