2.7% of Americans lead a healthy lifestyle.
A healthy lifestyle has four components exercise, not smoking, eating a healthy diet, and maintaining a healthy body fat percentage.
Of course, many factors, such as illness and mobility issues, may impact our ability to fulfill every qualification. But if you could find some tasty, healthy snacks to fortify your diet and overall health, why shouldn’t you?
So continue reading to learn more. Below, we’ll cover some healthy snack ideas packed with health benefits and flavor!
1. Fruit Salad
If you want to keep it simple and sweet, why not just munch on some fruit? All fruits are different, but they’re all incredibly nutritious, rich in fiber, and satiating. But if you’re a little bored with just eating fruit, make a fruit salad!
Of course, a fruit salad could contain plain old, mixed fruit. But you can also drizzle in some honey (though this high-sugar ingredient should be moderated), toasted nuts, or even mint to make it extra palatable!
2. Oat Bars
Oats are a famously fiber-rich probiotic food, making it incredibly satiating. These grains are also densely packed with nutrients, vitamins, and antioxidants. All these health benefits are why so many people eat a serving of oatmeal in the mornings.
But sometimes, you don’t want to turn on the stove whenever you want oats. So make oat bars! You could add dark chocolate chunks, nuts, and even dried fruit to diversify the bars’ health benefits.
3. DIY Summer Rolls
Once you get the hang of it, summer rolls are delicious and highly customizable healthy snacks! However, you don’t need to use a traditional summer roll recipe for this idea. Instead, we suggest using leftover veggies and protein while leaving out the rice noodles typically found in an authentic Vietnamese summer roll.
It’s a super palatable, relatively low-calorie way to use leftover veggies. We also suggest making peanut dipping sauce to go with it to pump up the flavor!
4. Protein Shake
Why spend money on protein shakes when you can make your own at home? Our trick is to not only rely on protein powder, which can get pricey, to make your shakes. You could also use silken tofu and Greek yogurt, which can blend seamlessly with your smoothie while minimally affecting the flavor.
Otherwise, use your favorite milk or water and the liquid. Use banana or avocado to thicken smoothies, along with plenty of your go-to leafy greens and a cup of fruit. Finish with some seeds, notes, or other superfoods, and you’ve got a satiating, highly nutritious shake!
5. Trail Mix
Trail mix is incredibly convenient to eat and take on the go. It can contain nuts, granola, dark chocolate, dried fruit, and even small crackers or pretzels.
It’s best to limit the addition of highly processed foods such as pretzels and candy to your trail mix. But otherwise, these ingredients are great for people who need energy. By refueling with trail mix, you can power through your day while feeling great.
6. Popcorn
Out of all the healthy snack ideas, you might not have expected popcorn on this list. However, with little to no added saturated fats such as butter, this snack can be both enjoyable and nutritionally sound.
If you wish to eat popcorn with some fat, find or make popcorn with olive oil instead of butter. Want to add flavor beyond that? Then sprinkle on garlic salt, hot sauce, or some nutritional yeast to make this super yummy.
7. PB&J Sandwich
Sometimes, you need to indulge in some childhood nostalgia and munch on a PB&J sandwich. But when you do, use a heartier, healthier bread like multigrain or whole wheat. These types of bread have more fiber and nutrients and usually go great with sweeter ingredients like peanut butter and jelly.
Natural peanut butter consists of only peanuts (roasted or unroasted) and perhaps salt with no sugar added. In contrast, the more popularly used peanut butter has tons of sugar and other fillers.
Since natural peanut butter still tastes great, use it instead of the latter option for a cleanly nutritional sandwich! Instead of jam with added sugar, stew berries in some water and lemon juice until they thicken into a jam-like consistency, or use fresh fruit in your sandwich.
8. Energy Bites
Snacks specifically formulated for satiety and energy should have a ton of nutrients. That’s why energy bites are awesome! They’ll be chock full of great superfoods that satisfy your hunger and nourish the body.
With great ingredients, energy bites are both delicious and nutritious. Many people eat them to cut their sugary cravings, finding satisfaction in their sweet tooth with these fun-sized snacks.
9. Tuna Salad Sandwich
Tuna is a fantastic source of protein, omega-3 fatty acids, and other vitamins and nutrients. It’s a great brain food, so it’d make a great midday meal or snack if you’re trying to be productive.
Once again, use multigrain or wheat bread and swap out mayonnaise for protein-rich and calorically lighter Greek yogurt. Adding chopped celery, carrots, and red onion could also improve your tuna salad’s flavor and nutritional content! Finally, add plenty of spices and seasonings to make a truly addicting snack.
Healthy Snack Ideas for Optimal Health!
With these healthy snack ideas, you’ll quickly reach your health goals. Reach for these wholesome snacks next time you get a craving!
Did you find these snack ideas helpful? Then check out the rest of our content! We’ve got plenty of health and nutrition-based articles for readers like you.
