Sticking to a healthy diet is not always an easy to thing to do. In the middle of super busy days with work and kids, finding the opportunity to maintain a diet that's full of small, portioned, and balanced meals can prove to be a job in itself.
Maybe breakfast starts off great: a banana, some yogurt, maybe oatmeal with fruit. Then the day gets insanely busy — there are errands to run, conference calls to be in, and kids to check on. Lunch time — what's that? By dinner, no one is even thinking clearly about a wholesome meal. It's all just about filling up on food that there was no time to eat all day. Carrying healthy snacks is one way to prevent mindless eating and overeating during the day.
Besides healthy and mindful snacking, sometimes we just want some comfort food to make us feel satisfied. Emotional eating, anyone? C'mon, we've all been to a place where we just want to eat our feelings. (Cut to: finale of This Is Us.)
That said, eating the wrong — unhealthy — snacks adds unnecessary empty calories. Not only is it important to be mindful of the foods that go into the body, but also the quantity and portions.
There are a ton of healthy snack options out there, but sometimes the craving is for something not so healthy and nutritious. Don't worry — we've got it covered. Here's a list of 21 healthier versions of our favorite junk foods.
Lesser Evil
These Grain-Free Paleo Puffs are nutrient-dense puffs are packed with organic cassava, coconut, and sweet potato flours then dusted with organic coconut oil and Himalayan salt. The snack line offers three delicious flavors including "No Cheese" cheesiness, apple cider vinegar, and Himalayan pink salt. When buying from the Lesser Evil website, it's $29.99 for nine 5 ounce bags or $17.99 for 24 bags (1 ounce per bag).
Fluffernutter
Fun name, right? Fluffernutter by Notty Foods has no added sugar and added protein to keep snackers full and satisfied longer. The protein chocolate bark also comes in lemonberry and peppermint flavors. Notty only uses non-GMO ingredients, never uses artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives and snacks are made without gluten, corn, or soy. Available on Amazon for $15.
Junkless Chewy Granola Bars
Junkless Chewy Granola Bars are family-friendly snacks that are minimally processed, contain no artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives, are Non-GMO Project Verified and contain 6 grams or less of sugar. No junk, all food. Available on Amazon and select grocers. Around $4 for a box of six bars.
Pamela's Grahams
Pamela's Grahams come in three yummy flavors: honey, chocolate, and cinnamon. They're gluten-free, wheat-free, soy-free, corn-free, nut-free, and egg-free. They have no artificial flavors or additives, no hydrogenated oils, trans fats, or corn syrup. Order online or a find a store, $5 per box.
Simply Protein
Simply Protein brand offers health-conscious baked bars, crispy bars, and crunchy bites. The snacks are made with clean ingredients that are high-quality, and a good source of protein with 3 grams of sugar or less. All of the bars and bites are gluten-free, and free of artificial sweeteners, flavors, colors, and preservatives. Buy online, $45 for 16.
Hood Cottage Cheese
Hood Cottage Cheese offers both sweet and savory flavors, including cracked pepper, chive, and strawberry. Packed with protein and moderate in carbs, cottage cheese makes a smart snack option, especially when on the go. Buy online or find at the nearest grocer, $2.79 for 16 ounces and $1.49 for 5.3 ounces.
Siggi's Yogurt
This Icelandic-style yogurt is a sweet, but not-too-sweet treat that’s thick and creamy. It's high in protein, and will keep kids feeling full and focused throughout the day. Try the new raspberry and apple flavor, which has no added sugar. Available at Whole Foods, Publix, and other major grocery stores, $1.69.
Karen's Naturals
Karen’s Naturals produces high-quality dried fruits and vegetables for a healthy, guilt-free snack! The company adds absolutely nothing to the product before the fruit is cut, dried, and packaged. No salt, no fat, no sweeteners, no preservatives — just the natural fruits and vegetables we love. Karen's Naturals are available online for $1.90 a snack-size bag to around $5.50 for the larger standard size bag, depending on the variety.
Grillo's Pickles
Grillo’s follows a 100-year-old Italian family recipe of seven natural ingredients — cucumbers, salt, dill, garlic, water, grape leaves, and vinegar — to offer a clean alternative to pickle brands that are pumped with chemicals, stabilizers, food additives, preservatives, and sugar to increase shelf life. Providing all of the crisp crunch and tangy taste of a standard pickle without any of the worry, Grillo’s comes in flavors such as classic Italian dill, hot Italian dill, and bread & butter in pickle chips and spears. Available at Whole Foods, Target, Wegmans, Publix, 32-ounce jars of spears retail for $6.99 and 16-ounce chips are available for $5.99.
Boom Chicka Pop
Made with whole grain and real, simple ingredients, Boom Chicka Pop popcorn comes in a variety of flavors including sea salt, sweet & salty kettle corn, cheddar cheese and salted caramel. Boom Chicka Pop is available at major retailers for $3.49 for a 4.2-ounce bag
Whisps Cheese Crisps
Numa Candy
Did someone say candy? Yes, please! Numa Foods makes a healthier nougat candy from six natural ingredients, and contain more than 10 essential vitamins. They don't contain any artificial ingredients or preservatives, have 4 grams of protein per serving, and offer 40% less sugar than the standard candy bar. Purchase online for $4.49 per bag.
Life's Grape
Life's Grape is a family-owned, California-grown brand of vine-dried grapes that makes a delicious and convenient snack for adults and kids alike. The brand uses Selma Pete grapes, which spend more time on the vine, resulting in a final product with more flavor, nutrition and juiciness. Available online, $10 for a 13-ounce pouch.
Keto Farms Snack Mix
Keto Farms just launched a snack that's a savory trail mix with nuts, cheeses, and fruits. The company uses just four simple ingredients: low-sugar fruits, savory cheeses, sprouted almonds, and sprouted walnuts, and come in three flavors: strawberry Gouda, tomato pepperjack, and raspberry Gouda. Order online, $20 for two bulk bags.
Elite Protein Donut
Say whattttttt? Donuts? Yes! Elite Sweets is making donuts that are protein-packed, gluten-free, and low in sugar. This awesome comfort food is available in three different flavors: chocolate, cinnamon sugar, and birthday cake. Pre-order online (shipping April 2019), $21 for a six pack.
The Good Bean
The Good Bean makes roasted chickpeas and fava snacks in a variety of flavors, including sweet Sriracha and sea salt. They're a great alternative to potato chips and are gluten-free, nut-free, high-protein, high-fiber, and low-fat. It's like the taste of junk food with the nutrition value of vegetables. Buy Good Bean snacks online. Prices start at $5 per bag.
Nora Snacks
Nora snacks pack a satisfying tasty bunch of no-GMO, vegan, high-quality Korean seaweed that is nutrient-dense and sustainably-sourced. Flavors include original tempura, spicy tempura, crispy original, and a multipack of roasted flavors of the world. Available on Amazon, from $3.33.
Delighted By Hummus
This vegan, gluten-free, all-natural, and non-GMO hummus is like none other. That's because it's a dessert hummus. That's right. The lightly sweetened hummus is made from chickpeas and, instead of adding flavors like garlic and bell pepper, is infused with cinnamon and whole vanilla beans. Current flavors include: brownie batter, mint chocolate, snickerdoodle, vanilla bean, and red velvet. Purchase Delighted By Hummus at Target, Whole Foods, Wegmans, or Publix — starting at $5.
Dang Foods
These Asian-inspired healthy bars are keto-certified, vegan, and gluten-free, offering delicious nourishment for any lifestyle. The brand offers creative multicultural flavors like toasted coconut, cardamom chai, and Saigon cinnamon chocolate. Available online, $33 for a six-flavor variety pack.
Pistachio & Plum Chewy Bites
These all-natural bite-sized pistachio bars contain nutrient-rich plums and over 50% pistachios. This healthy snack is loaded with protein, fiber, potassium, antioxidants, and vitamin B6. The tiny bars are a great way to get a daily dose of goodness! Buy them on Amazon for $12.
BuckWhat!
These delicious snacks are made with the superfood buckwheat, whole food-plant based ingredients, and no added sugar. They are naturally gluten-free and vegan. BuckWhat! Noshes taste like a cookie, but without the guilt and with all the benefits of amazing ingredients. Buy online at Amazon or at Whole Foods, $3.75.
*Psst: if you choose to purchase an item from this post, Cafemom may receive a small cut. Each item and price is up to date at the time of publication; however, an item may be sold out or the price may be different at a later date.
