25 Healthy Snacks to Fight Hunger, Recommended by a Nutritionist

People often tell me how much they love to snack. As a nutritionist, I always say the same thing: snacking between meals is not only recommended, but can be a healthy part of the diet.

But it depends on the snack! Although potato chips, pretzels, cookies or brownies are tasty treats, they are not very nutritious. Healthy snacks can fill nutritional gaps in your diet and provide missing fiber, vitamins, minerals and protein. Plus, snacking helps boost your energy levels and prevent the midday slump. After all, food is fuel.

When choosing snacks, I always suggest combining proteins or healthy unsaturated fats with fiber-filled carbohydrates. Protein, fat, and fiber promote satiety, keeping you full between meals. A classic example is an apple, rich in fiber, and peanut butter, rich in protein and healthy fats. Luckily, there are more creative suggestions on this list.

Here are my top 25 healthy snacks to help satisfy your hunger.

Cottage cheese and blueberries

Spicy cottage cheese goes well with juicy and sweet berries. This combination is rich in protein and fiber.

Avocado on whole grain bread

Avocado toast is a healthy and satisfying snack when prepared correctly. The standard serving size for avocado is one third of the fruit. Mash it up, spread it on a piece of whole grain bread and squeeze a little fresh lime on top. Finish with a sprinkle of sea salt.

Peanut butter and banana

The combination of sweet banana and tangy peanut butter is one of my favorites. Spread one tablespoon of peanut butter on a banana and enjoy a healthy snack with fiber and fat.

Greek yogurt with Nutella

Adding only one teaspoon Nutella per plain Greek yogurt creates a slightly sweet, protein-rich snack that helped one nutritionist’s client lose a ton of weight.

Olive with crackers

If you want something salty, take a portion olive (five to 10), which are rich in healthy fats. Connect them with whole grain crackers or crackers filled with seeds for extra fiber and protein.

Cheese and orange

You might be surprised to learn that most mozzarella cheese sticks contain 8 grams of protein. Pair with a juicy orange for a snack packed with protein, vitamins, minerals and fiber.

Pistachios and grapes

Pistachios contain 6 grams of protein per ounce. Eat them with antioxidant-rich grapes for a sweet and savory snack.

Red pepper slices and hummus

Hummus is almost always served with carrots or cucumbers, so why not switch it up and dip some red pepper slices in it? Red bell peppers are rich in vitamin C, an antioxidant that boosts the immune system, and hummus is a low-calorie, healthy fat that will help fill you up.

Popcorn and almonds

Popcorn is a healthy whole grain snack that can be easily prepared in the microwave at home. Skip the bag version and place a quarter cup of popcorn kernels in a paper bag, fold the bag and microwave on high for 2 to 3 minutes. Season with salt and add a handful of almonds for a satisfying crunch.

Light bean salad

Beans, beans, they’re good for your heart! They contain protein and fiber, making them a must-have healthy food. Combine your beans of your choice with chopped bell pepper, a little olive oil and lemon or lime juice. Add some salt and you’ll have a healthy, filling snack in five minutes.

Baby burrito

If you want something more substantial during your snack, fill one small tortilla black beansTop with a tablespoon of salsa and a tablespoon of shredded cheddar cheese and you have a baby burrito. It tastes great cold, but if you prefer to eat it hot, microwave it for 30 seconds.

Scrambled eggs in the microwave

Eggs are a good source of protein, vitamins and minerals and can be cooked in the microwave in two minutes. In a large mug or bowl, combine two eggs and two tablespoons of milk with your favorite toppings, such as chopped vegetables or cheese, and whisk to combine. Microwave in 30 second intervals until eggs are set.

Loaded Instant Oatmeal

Unsweetened instant oatmeal is packed with fiber and protein and takes just a few minutes to prepare. Make a bowl of instant oatmeal and top it with milk or soy milk for protein, fresh fruit for fiber, and some chopped nuts for healthy fats.

Ants on a log

You’re never too old for ants on a log. This winning combination of crunchy celery, flavorful peanut butter and sweet raisins is hearty and satisfying.

Latte with low-fat or soy milk

If you’re on the go and need a caffeine hit, opt for a latte with low-fat milk or soy milk. The caffeine is sure to give you a boost, and the milk has 8 grams of protein per 8 ounces.

Edamame

I always keep a bag of frozen edamame in the freezer for cooking and snacking. One cup cooked edamame contains 18 grams of protein and 8 grams of fiber, for just over 200 calories. It’s a powerful food that also tastes good.

Guacamole with carrots

Although traditionally served with chips, guacamole is a healthy and nutritious snack that pairs well with vegetables. Dip some baby carrots into homemade guacamole for a quick and easy snack.

Muesli with yogurt

Muesli is healthier granola option. Dried toasted oats with fruit, nuts or seeds are the perfect addition to protein-rich yogurt.

Roasted chickpeas

Whether you make them from scratch or buy them from the store, crunchy chickpeas are a healthier alternative. potato chips. They satisfy salt cravings and contain protein and fiber that fill you up.

Dates and almond butter

There’s something so satisfying about sweet and chewy dates coated in rich, nutty almond butter. Just two of these small snacks are enough for a snack.

Strawberries and ricotta cheese

Ricotta cheese contains less fat than many other cheeses and contains a significant amount of protein. Use it as a dipping sauce for sweet strawberries.

3 Ingredient Green Smoothie

Green Smoothie Recipes no need to be complicated. Blend half a banana, a handful of leafy greens, half a cup of yogurt with water or milk and a handful of ice for a frozen afternoon treat.

Cucumber slices with tzatziki sauce

Tzatziki is a tangy Greek yogurt dip that pairs perfectly with crunchy cucumber slices.

Peanuts and raisins

This is one of my top secret snacks. Combining a handful of unsalted roasted peanuts with a quarter cup of raisins tastes like a healthier version of PB&J. You can thank me later!

Protein bar

If you don’t have time to chop vegetables or don’t have fresh produce in the house, take protein barespecially those made from nuts and seeds. I recommend bars with 10 or more grams of protein and less than 6 grams of added sugar. My favorites are RX Bars, GoMacro, Perfect Bars, KIND Protein Bars, and CLIF Builders.