17 Delicious and Healthy Store-Bought Snacks Recommended By a Nutritionist
You won't miss potato chips with these yummy options.
Picking a healthy store-bought snack can be confusing, especially when you see phrases like "non-GMO," "keto-friendly," and "gluten-free" on the package. Luckily, we're here to help you make a healthy snacks list, with help from Beth Stark, a Pennsylvania-based registered dietitian nutritionist. The good news: most snacks come with a built-in cheat sheet —the nutrition label — that will help guide you to a nutritious snack rather than one that's one step away from a candy bar.
Stark recommends paying special attention to the added sugar, sodium, and protein content of any snack you're considering.
Go for snacks that have no more than 5 grams of added sugar (not to be confused with the naturally occurring sugar contained in fruit and dairy) and keep in mind the recommended daily limit of 25 grams or less of added sugar for women and 36 grams for men. To identify added sugar, look for words like dextrose, maltose, rice syrup, agave nectar, and high fructose corn syrup in the ingredient list. Thanks to a new rule from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), all nutrition labels will list added sugars by 2020 (to see a side-by-side comparison of the old label vs the new one, click here).
As for sodium, look for snacks that contain 480 milligrams or less. Most people should cap daily intake at 2,300 milligrams.
Once you've looked at the sugar and sodium, you'll want to check for protein, which will help keep you full. “You’ll want to pick snacks like nuts and seeds that are a great source of plant-based protein, and fruit, which is high in fiber,” Stark says.
Check out the healthy store-bought snacks Stark recommends and even buys for her family.
Yes, it's easy to grab a banana before going to work, but would you want to eat it once it starts to turn brown? Make snacking way easier by opening a bag of dried fruit. "Dried fruit is an excellent source of fiber and you can pair it with a couple of almonds to add some protein into your snack," Stark says.
"I recently discovered these and I snack on them all the time," Stark says about the Made In Nature Figgy Pops. Not only are they a great source of fiber, but you can choose from a variety of flavors like tart cherry and mango.
The Good Bean Sea Salt Flavor Crispy Crunchy Chickpeas
If you prefer a crunchy snack, check out The Good Bean Crunchy Chickpeas, a source of plant-based protein and fiber. Keep a bag at your desk to combat those 3pm munchies.
Biena Honey Roasted Chickpea Snacks
If you prefer to control your portions and not be tempted to eat the whole bag of chickpeas, these individually-packed Biena Chickpea Snacks are the way to go.
RXBAR Chocolate Sea Salt Protein Bar
With a boatload of sugar and calories, many protein bars can easily cross over into candy territory. That's why Stark loves RXBARs. They are made with a variety of nuts and fruits and contain no added sugar.
Blue Diamond Almonds 100 Calorie On-The-Go Bags, 32 pack
Almonds are a go-to snack for nutritionists, says Stark. To keep calories in check, grab an individually portioned bag like these from Blue Diamond.
SuperSeedz Organic Gourmet Pumpkin Seeds, 3 pack
You can get your pumpkin fix even before the fall season. These pumpkin seeds come in a variety of flavors and are a great source of fiber and plant-based protein. Stark suggests eating them on their own or adding them to yogurt or salads.
Seapoint Farms Sea Salt Dry Roasted Edamame
This gluten-free vegan snack is another great one and has "reasonable sodium levels," according to Stark. You can grab a handful of these and stick them in a bag before getting on with your day. You can also add them to a salad for some extra crunch.
Second Nature Honey Mustard Protein Trail Mix
This snack mix, which contains almonds, cashews, edamame, pepitas, and peanuts, will help you stay satisfied between meals.
Sabra All Natural Classic Guacamole
Loaded with fiber and potassium, avocados are an A+ snack, and this Sabra guacamole bowl makes it easy to eat them on the go. Spread the guac on crakers or toast for a simply, nutritious snack or
breakfast.
Lorissa's Kitchen Premium Steak Strips
Surprise! Beef jerky can be a nutritious, satisfying snack. Stark loves Larissa's Kitchen jerky which are made with grass-fed beef and have 10 grams of protein.
Justin's Nut Butter Almond Butter Squeeze Packs
These packets of almond butter are the perfect size to stow in your desk or purse. Stark likes to likes to pair almond butter with a banana or apple.
Step away from the microwave. This pre-popped popcorn from Skinny Pop is low in salt, gluten-free, contains less sodium, and is a good source of whole grains.
Sargento Mozzarella String Cheese Snacks
Packed with protein and calcium, string cheese will satisfy your cravings for a snack and keep you fuller longer than a snack from the vending machine.
Siggi's contains 14 grams of protein and 9 grams of sugar, making it a healthy snack. Plus, one delicious container is only 100 calories.
Skinny Dipped Almonds Dark Chocolate Cocoa Covered Almonds, 10 pack
Skinny Dipped Almonds Dark Chocolate Cocoa Covered Almonds, 10 pack
Stark describes Skinny Dipped Almonds as one of her favorite go-to snacks. They're the perfect alternative for someone who has a sweet tooth and tends to gravitate towards M&Ms.
If yogurt is too tangy for you, check out cottage cheese. Muuna has individually packed portions of cottage cheese in a variety of flavors that you can spread over whole wheat crackers.
Sophia is currently an assistant editor at Womans Day.com with experience in writing everything from fashion and beauty to health, fitness, and wellness.
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