31 Tasty, Healthy Snacks to Help You Bid Farewell to Hanger for Good

Make it through the midday slump with something other than a Snickers bar.

nutritious-snack
Photo: Getty Images

Real talk: Getting from breakfast to lunch to dinner without having a nosh or two in between is nearly impossible. The good news is that there's no reason to restrict yourself—having a healthy snack to tide you over is absolutely encouraged by medical pros and dietitians alike.

Here, we've rounded up ideas for nutritious snacks and recipes that won't compromise on flavor. After all, rule number one for sticking to a smart meal plan is to not get bored, and these healthy, tasty snacks will keep you on your toes. Plus almost all are under 200 calories, healthy, satisfying, and pro-approved―what's not to love?

Want more snack inspiration? Find out how to make the most of your snacking.

01 of 31

Nutty Superfood Breakfast Bites

Superfood Bars
Grace Elkus

If you DIY your breakfast bars or energy bites, you can make sure you're getting ingredients you know and like. You can also customize the recipe to fit your tastes. These make-ahead energy bars are filled with nuts and seeds, which provide fiber and lasting protein. They also have several types of berries, great sources of vitamin C and other antioxidants. When you make these, go ahead and split them into individual portion sizes so it's easier to grab and go.

Get the recipe: Nutty Superfood Breakfast Bites

02 of 31

Tropical Creamsicle Smoothie

Tropical Creamsicle Smoothie
Greg DuPree

With a bit of prep work, smoothies make for great quick and healthy breakfasts every morning. Wash, chop, and freeze all ingredients in "smoothie packs," or baggies pre-measured for just one smoothie. Put anything that doesn't go into a freezer (like the milk or leafy greens) into a glass jar or baggie in the fridge. Then, dump everything into your blender, and let it go to work. You can sip while you dress, or take it with you in a lidded container.

Get the recipe: Tropical Creamsicle Smoothie

03 of 31

Smørrebrød With Yogurt, Beets, and Eggs

Smørrebrød With Yogurt, Beets, and Eggs
Greg DuPree

Smørrebrød is an open-faced sandwich from Denmark, where densely seeded bread is slathered with butter and piled with artfully arranged toppings like pickled herring, cheese, eggs, and herbs. The variations are endless. In this lighter version, yogurt swaps in for the butter, and a fresh marinated beet salad adds tang. Top it off with jammy soft-cooked eggs and briny capers for an especially exciting way to serve your mom her breakfast. If guests are coming, double the recipe and cut into bite-sized slices.

Get the recipe: Smørrebrød With Yogurt, Beets, and Eggs

04 of 31

Homemade Granola Bars

Homemade Granola Bars
whatsgabycooking.com

Know someone who's always on the go? These granola bars are chock-full of goodness and make thoughtful food gifts for your busiest friends and family members. Cranberries, almonds, and chia seeds provide a boost of nutrition, while chocolate chips make them extra delicious.

Get the recipe: Homemade Granola Bars

05 of 31

Egg Salad Toast With Fresh Herbs and Capers

Egg Salad Toast
Greg DuPree

These open-faced egg toast beauties are much more than your average egg salad sandwich—the flavors, textures, and even look are elegant and original. Folded into the egg salad mixture is a mustardy vinaigrette, briny capers, fresh parsley, and just-bitter-enough radicchio leaves. Heaped on top of toasted sourdough, the result is both fresh and hearty. This mixture would also be delicious piled on a whole grain like brown rice or quinoa, or even served as a salad for a lighter meal.

Get the recipe: Egg Salad Toast with Fresh Herbs and Capers

06 of 31

Celery, Cucumber, and Pineapple Smoothie

Celery, Cucumber, and Pineapple Smoothie
Levi Brown

This healthy smoothie is the ultimate in refreshing drinks. Frozen pineapple, juicy cucumber, and hydrating celery fill the beverage with flavor and nutrients. To round out this healthy snack, herbaceous basil combines with zippy lime juice for a sweet-tart smoothie that's unique and quenching.

Get the Recipe: Celery, Cucumber, and Pineapple Smoothie

07 of 31

Gingery Berry and Oat Smoothie

Gingery Berry and Oat Smoothie
Grant Cornett

Instead of eating a bowl of oatmeal for breakfast, blend those grains into a smoothie for a tasty healthy snack. A quick soak in water will soften them up so they break down smoothly with the berries and yogurt. For a richer finish, you can use oat milk in place of the water.

Get the Recipe: Ginger Berry and Oat Smoothie

08 of 31

Sliced Cucumbers and Light Swiss Cheese

Cucumber with Laughing Cow Light Swiss Original Cheese
Sang An

Sliced cucumbers with one or two wedges of Laughing Cow Light Swiss Original Cheese make a quick, healthy snack.

09 of 31

Cereal

One cup of mixed cereal
Sang An

One cup of mixed cereal (like bran flakes, Wheat Chex, and Health Valley Organic Oat Bran Flakes), makes for a great crunchy snack.

10 of 31

Popcorn and Dark Chocolate

Popcorn with dark chocolate shavings
Sang An

Three cups of air-popped popcorn sprinkled with dark chocolate shavings make a quick, delicious, healthy snack.

11 of 31

Rye Melba Toast

Rye melba toast with low-fat cream cheese and dried cranberries
Sang An

Make this nutritious snack with rye melba toast, low-fat cream cheese, and dried cranberries.

12 of 31

Apple Slices With Almond Butter

Apple sliced with almond butter
Sang An

Apple slices dipped in a tablespoon of almond butter make for a great snack that will tide you over until your next meal.

13 of 31

Tomato Soup

Bowl of pureed tomato soup and a dollap of low-fat sour cream
Sang An

A small bowl of pureed tomato soup with a dollop of low-fat sour cream is an excellent snack choice that packs a vitamin punch.

14 of 31

Energy Bar

Energy bar
Sang An

When huger pangs hit, try an energy bar containing at least four grams of protein (like Lärabar Cherry Pie).

15 of 31

Cheese

One inch cube of hard cheese, plus dried apricot halves
Sang An

Hungry? Try a one-inch cube of hard cheese (like aged Gouda), plus four to six dried apricot halves.

16 of 31

Endive Leaves

Endive leaves with park-skim ricotta
Sang An

Fill endive leaves with part-skim ricotta to make a quick, nutritious snack.

17 of 31

Low-Fat Greek Yogurt

Low-fat Greek yogurt with chopped walnuts and honey
Sang An

Top low-fat Greek yogurt with chopped walnuts and honey.

18 of 31

Turkey and Grapes

Sliced turkey with green grapes
Sang An

Two slices of low-sodium deli turkey and a handful of grapes will make a toothsome treat.

19 of 31

Cottage Cheese and Vegetables

Low-fat Cottage Cheese With Chives and Pepper, plus Celery and Cherry Tomatoes for dipping
Sang An

Pair a half cup of low-fat cottage (topped with cheese, chives, and pepper) with vegetables for dipping.

20 of 31

Almonds and Dried Berries

Almonds with dried tart cherries
Sang An

Try a handful of protein-packed almonds mixed with dried tart cherries or blueberries.

21 of 31

Oatmeal and Berries

Plain oatmeal with fresh berries
Sang An

A small bowl of plain oatmeal topped with fresh berries and a splash of skim milk can make for a great snack, not just a breakfast.

22 of 31

Hummus With Crudités

Hummus with crudites
Sang An

Two to four tablespoons of hummus with crudités is a fresh snack option.

23 of 31

Edamame

Edamame
Sang An

Three-quarters cup of shelled edamame provides protein to keep you full.

24 of 31

Multigrain Cracker

Multigrain cracker with part-skim ricotta and honey
Sang An

A multigrain cracker topped part-skim ricotta and honey is. delicious treat.

25 of 31

Low-Fat Cheese, Peach and Dark Chocolate

A peach, low-fat cheese, and a piece of dark chocolate
Sang An

Try a piece of low-fat cheese, a small peach, and a piece of dark chocolate as an afternoon pick-me-up.

26 of 31

One Whole-Wheat English Muffin with peanut butter.

Whole-wheat English muffin with peanut butter
Sang An

Peanut butter is a satiating topping for this whole wheat English muffin.

27 of 31

Hard-Boiled Egg

Hard-boiled egg with black pepper
Sang An

A hard-boiled egg with freshly ground black pepper makes a quick, protein-packed, healthy snack.

28 of 31

All-Natural Multigrain Waffle

Van's All-Natural Multigrain Waffle with fruit preserves, one of Real Simple's favorite healthy snacks.
Sang An

Van's All-Natural Multigrain Waffle with fruit preserves (or honey or fresh berries) is a sweet, but healthy snack option.

29 of 31

Healthy Oven-Baked Chips

Replace greasy, fried potato chips with this healthy alternative, which is made by breading sliced zucchini and baking it in the oven. A dip in fat-free milk helps the breadcrumb coating stick, and Parmesan cheese gives the chips a deliciously crispy texture. Consider serving alongside hummus, carrots, or other crudité.

30 of 31

Almonds

Sahale's Spicy Soledad Almonds, a healthy snack
Sang An

Grab a small handful of Sahale's Spicy Soledad Almonds (sold at supermarkets).

31 of 31

Popcorn Bars

Popcorn Bars Recipe
Jennifer Causey

These popcorn bars are quick and easy—done in about 40 minutes with only 10 minutes of prep time. They're a delicious snack and mix the saltiness and crunch of popcorn and pretzels with the sweetness and mush of the marshmallows that keep them together.

Was this page helpful?

Related Articles