Dr. Donald Fox
GoTo Healthy Snacks
Updated: Oct 27, 2020
An average American tends to eat just over two servings of snacks per day, that's on top of breakfast, lunch and dinner. That snack intake alone, can be equivalent to one-quarter of their total daily calories. With that being said it may surprise you that some snacks can actually be beneficial to your diet. Studies have shown that healthy snacking can increase nutrient intake, sustain energy levels, help the body recover from exercise and can even help improve the quality of a diet.
Nutritious Snack Options
Apples and pears
Bell pepper slices
Zucchini or cucumber circles
Broccoli and cauliflower florets
Popcorn
Rice cakes and whole-grain crackers
Nuts and seeds
Carrot and celery sticks
Roasted chickpeas
Healthy Snack: Dos and Don’ts
Do: Measure Your Portions– Although your snacks are healthy, eating too much is still extra calories. Don’t over do your healthy snacking.
Do: Track Your Calories– By adding your snacks into this with the rest of your meals, you can see how much your snacking is adding to your calorie intake.
Don’t: Snack on Foods You Don’t Like– You’re less likely to stick to your diet if you don’t enjoy the foods you’re eating. While you should give up or reduce certain foods, the foods you do choose to snack on shouldn’t be disgusting.
Sweet Healthy Snacks
Homemade banana-nut bread
Fresh fruit salads
Canned fruit
Baked apple
Raisins, dates, figs and other unsweetened dried fruits
Frozen banana
Frozen grapes
Although snacking may have a bad reputation, due to all the unhealthy options available. Enjoying a healthy snack can actually be beneficial by holding off hunger, improving energy levels, and improving your overall health.