The last time I was in Paris, an anti-snacking advertising campaign was running claiming that the rise in France’s obesity level was due to the increase of in-between meal eating. While that may very well be true, snacking doesn’t have to be bad. There are plenty of healthy things to nosh on that can contribute to a healthy diet, even if you’re not into apples and carrot sticks.
Here are 15 healthy snacks to consider next time you want to reach for Oreos and Doritos.
Healthy Alternatives
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Chobani Flip
Thicker, creamier and packed with more protein than regular yogurt, Chobani Greek Yogurt now comes paired with crunchy mix-ins ranging from pistachios and dark chocolate to cornflakes and honey oats. Only natural ingredients and real fruits are used and all of the flavors are free of preservatives, artificial flavors and sweeteners. Plus, each serving is packed with five live and active cultures including three probiotics.
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New York Naturals Kale Chips
Even if you don't like kale, New York Naturals Kale Chips are worth a try. Made from dehydrated whole kale leaves, each batch is covered with raw-vegan flavoring making the crunchy product taste way more like a Dorito than anything you'd associate with a vegetable.
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I heart Keenwah
If you find whole grains hard to digest or unappealing, quinoa is a great alternative and it's now available in snack form via I heart Keenwah. Each bag, available in Ginger Peanut, Chocolate Sea Salt, Almond or Cranberry Cashew, is low in calories, fat and sodium, while being high in protein and fiber. Plus, quinoa is the only grain that’s considered to be a whole protein and it contains all nine essential amino acids.
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Cocomama
Cocomama is a nutrition-packed line of quinoa cereal available in four flavors: Banana Cinnamon, Orange Cranberry, Honey Almond or Wild Blueberry. Cooked in small batches by combining whole grain quinoa, light coconut milk, real fruit and natural sweeteners, Cocomama is a protein-packed cereal, naturally gluten-free and can be eaten warm or cold.
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Gravelnuts Go Bars
These bars are made without fillers for a clean and filling snack. Each bar is made using almonds, walnuts, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, rolled oats, brown rice crisps, brown sugar, vanilla, sea salt and agave nectar.
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Bitsy's Brainfood
Bitsy's Brainfood cookies may have been made with kids in mind, but they taste amazing! They're low in sugar, calories and fat, are a good source of omega-3s, iron and calcium and they're made with lots of Vitamins including A, B 12, B 6, D 3 and Folic Acid. They come in four flavors: Lemon Broccoli, Orange Chocolate Beet, Sweet Potato Oatmeal Raisin or Zucchini Gingerbread Carrot.
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Chia Pods
The Chia Company just launched Chia Pods made from only three ingredients: chia seeds, real fruit and coconut milk. They've got a pudding-like consistency and come in four flavors: Banana, Mango, Blueberry or Vanilla Bean. All flavors are high in fiber, protein, omega-3s and antioxidants.
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One Lucky Duck Cookies
Handmade using raw, organic and vegan ingredients, One Lucky Duck's cookies are easy to digest and none of the varieties contain refined sugars, wheat, flour, dairy or eggs.
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Enlightened Ice Cream
Unlike most traditional ice cream alternatives, Enlightened Ice Cream doesn't taste like flavored water. It comes in three flavors: Coffee, Chocolate or Orange and they're all rich and dense in texture much like what you'd expect from your run-of-the-mill high cholesterol/fat ice cream. The bars are very low in sugar however, high in fiber and protein and there are no artificial sweeteners.
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Anahola Granola
Anahola Granola has been hand making granola in small batches since 1986. Based in Hawaii, they exclusively use fresh, high quality ingredients and zero fillers and each of their varieties incorporate some of Hawaii’s native exotic tropical fruits. Granola varieties include original, tropical, mango ginger, and there’s a trail mix along with some bars.
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Figamajigs
Figamajigs may not be the healthiest, but if you're craving Milk Duds or Raisinettes, these will hit the spot and are certainly a better alternative. The brand offers fig bites covered in dark chocolate and dark chocolate covered fig bars. All of Figamajigs’ products are natural, gluten-free, low fat, high in fiber, anti-oxidant rich and free of trans fats and high fructose corn syrup.
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Foods Alive Flax Crackers
Flaxseeds are a fantastic source for omega-3s, which help reduce inflation, stabilize your mood and lower cholesterol and you can find a ton of them in Foods Alive’ Organic Raw Flax Crackers. Available in eight flavors: Original, Onion Garlic, Mexican Harvest, Italian Zest, Maple & Cinnamon, Hemp, Mustard, BBQ, our favorites are Mexican Harvest, Maple & Cinnamon, or Original, all are high in fiber, protein, omega-3s, iron, calcium, zinc, magnesium, Vitamin B6, manganese and copper.
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Sunbiotics
While most people think that the average almond is raw, 99.9% are not. SunBiotics Gourmet Probiotic Snacks are not only raw (i.e. they’re soaked and dried at low temperatures making them easier to digest and preserving all of their healthful goodness), but they’re enhanced with probiotics and they're organic. SunBiotics are available in four flavors: Cheesy, Truffle Salted, Chocolate or Original.
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That's It Fruit Bars
Aptly named, each That’s It Fruit Bar is made with only two ingredients: Apple + Cherry, Apple + Pear or Apple + Apricot. Minimally processed and made without any added sugar, the gooey dried fruit bars are satisfying without being overly sweet in the way that dried fruits can often be.
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Lifeway Frozen Kefir
Kefir is a dairy product made from milk fermented with kefir cultures. It has a host of beneficial yeasts and bacteria and offers more probiotics than yogurt. People usually drink kefir, but it makes a great frozen snack that tastes like a cross between ice cream and frozen yogurt. It's tart, but sweet enough to tame a sugar craving. It's also high in protein and calcium and low in calories.
