Snacks are such an important part of our diet that snacking healthy is imperative if you want to be healthy. If you want to look good and feel good, snacking healthy will take you a long way.
What makes a snack healthy?
A healthy snack complements things that your diet might be lacking, like fiber, protein, antioxidants, etc. Being conscious about what you snack helps you focus on specific aspects of your diet.
The trick lies in finding healthy snacks that you find rewarding. Otherwise, those snacking habits aren't likely to stick. Snacking is about fun, convenience, and deliciousness, so the goal here is to provide you with options that are healthy, fun, convenient, and delicious. And that's a tall order, but we're confident that we can find at least 5 healthy options for you to snack on.
1. Beef Jerky
Dried up meat is a great low-fat source of protein, but what you have to watch out for is the sodium. Beef jerky usually contains a lot of sodium, so you have to be on the lookout for the low sodium kind.
Another option is to dry the meat yourself, that way you can control what goes into it, which is great if you're some kind of meat drying fan, but if you're not, it's just a hassle.
Let's face it: snacking on dried meat isn't for everybody. The lower the sodium, the less flavorful it turns out. This is true for a lot of things, which is why we have to keep an eye out for it. Some people love meat regardless, this is a great option for them, but even then you should have more than one option, so let's move onto the next one.
2. Peanuts, Almonds, and Pecans
They're all great for you, but keep in mind that salted peanuts often contain ridiculous amounts of sodium. Almonds are great too, but much like unsalted peanuts, we believe they fall short in terms of flavor, especially when presented with pecans.
In short, pecans offer the greatest nutrition to deliciousness ratio. Yes, that's a thing, and it's the reason why they're the central piece of everything we do.
Some people like peanuts, almonds, and pecans on their own, but for others, some more flavor and different textures are needed in order for them to enjoy their snack. If this is the case for you, you could try our Crazy Pineapple mix or make a mix of your own with nuts and berries.
3. Celery Sticks with Peanut, Almond or Pecan Butter
This is a great snack that people use to give their diet a protein boost that is also filled with good fats. The celery is merely a medium in which to take your peanut, almond, or pecan butter. It's considered a nice and healthy medium for it because it's packed with fiber and it's even said that celery counts as a negative calorie intake since it takes more calories to chew it and digest it than those you absorb from it.
Be careful though, look for natural peanut, almond, or pecan butter. The oil on top of the jar is the most common telltale sign that what you're dealing with is natural peanut, almond, or pecan butter. Even then, don't forget to check the label for the nutritional information and check that you're getting what you want.
4. Yogurt With Nuts and Berries
This classic snack is a classic for a reason: it's super healthy and delicious. Use non-fat greek yogurt so you can boost your protein intake. The yogurt is a great conduit for the flavors of nuts and berries to mix successfully. Take advantage of the versatility this snack offers in that you can switch the type of berries and nuts you use with your yogurt, giving you a variety of flavors that you can mix and match to make the most of it.
5. Hummus Dippers
Instead of using pita chips or whole wheat tortilla, dip carrots and celery into hummus for a healthy snack you can have anywhere you go. Hummus is a great source of protein and the carrots and celery are great sources of fiber and vitamin A. Cutting on carbs using carrots and celery instead of pita chips or tortillas is a great way to make an already healthy snack even healthier.