10 Easy, Healthy Snack Ideas

There are many school of thoughts when it comes to snacking..in my personal opinion, snacks can be a part of our healthy meal plan as it provides energy we need in between our meals. It also prevents us from overeating at our next meal.

Think of a snack as your ‘mini-meal’ rather than a dessert or calorie empty food (like chips and pretzels I have been consuming lately). An ideal snack should typically range from 100-300 calories depending on the time between meals and how physically active you are. In general, most snacks should be 200 calories or less.

Three regular meals and two snacks is a great plan for most people but feel free to adjust based on your lifestyle. Also, combine a lean source of protein with a complex carbohydrate because pairing them together fills us up the most and gives us the most energy. 

The best protein choices are lean meats, poultry, low-fat dairy products, and tofu, because they have little (if any) saturated fat. The best carbs are whole grains, fruits, and vegetables, which offer more health benefits than refined grains as they take longer to absorb, so there is a slower release into the body and a more steady energy source throughout the day.