The world of eating three square meals per day is long gone: research suggests that nearly all of us have at least one snack daily, and more than half of us snack at least two to three times a day. Unfortunately, packaged snack foods are often packed with salt, sugar, saturated fat and excess calories, while severely lacking in healthy nutrients. To help you resolve your next snack attack without sabotaging your diet, we’ve put together a list of healthier dips and snacks. Nutritious and full of flavor, these snacks will keep your cravings at bay while leaving you full and focused.
1. Edamame Ginger Dip
Photo Credit: EatingWell
Dip some fresh veggies or crackers into this creative, easy and vegan-friendly dip. Garlicky and refreshing, this edamame-powered dip has 5 grams of protein per serving, plus fiber and healthy fats, which makes for a balanced and satisfying mid-day snack. Try it as a substitute for hummus or guacamole on toast or with your favorite chips.
2. Crispy Turmeric Chickpeas
Photo Credit: Yummly/Vegging at the Shore
Skip the corn nuts — if you’re craving something crunchy and portable, these crispy turmeric chickpeas are the perfect snack for you! Coated with turmeric and cumin, two potent anti-inflammatory spices, this snack is much more than just a hunger fix. One serving also contains 5 grams of protein and 4 grams of fiber, which will keep you satisfied and keep cravings at bay.
3. Chili-Lime Tortilla Chips
Photo Credit: EatingWell
Craving a handful of crunchy chips? Instead of dragging your feet to the vending machine, you can just make your own! These tangy baked tortilla chips only take 30 minutes and have more fiber and less saturated fat than their store-bought counterparts. Plus, you’ll impress friends with your ingenious DIY skills.
4. Cherries with Ricotta and Toasted Almonds
Photo Credit: EatingWell
Have a sweet tooth? You’ll love this easy, three-ingredient gem of a recipe. Sweet warm cherries provide antioxidants and fiber with no added sugar, creamy ricotta adds savory protein, and almonds top it all off with crunch and healthy fats. Move over pudding cup, this recipe is everything!
5. Easy Black Bean Dip
Photo Credit: Yummly/New York Style Snacks
Black bean dip in 15 minutes? Yes, please! Beans are plant-based sources of protein and fiber, the two most important nutrients for satiety and snack satisfaction. At only 33 calories per serving, this dip makes a satisfying low-calorie snack with little-to-no sodium and no added sugars.
6. Roasted Eggplant and Feta Dip
Photo Credit: EatingWell
Flavorful and refreshing, this roasted eggplant feta dip is a fun and tasty way to eat your veggies. This restaurant-quality dip adds a little spice and a lot of mediterranean flavor to your afternoon with minimal salt, carbs and saturated fat. Enjoy with a mini whole wheat pita for an afternoon pick-me-up.
7. Homemade Fresh Summer Rolls with Easy Peanut Dipping Sauce
Photo Credit: Yummly/Sally’s Baking Addiction
Hand rolls are all the rage, and now you can make your own healthier version! These fresh rolls make a great appetizer or snack, and are fun to make and share with friends. Crunchy fresh vegetables like purple cabbage, red peppers and carrots add color and antioxidants to refresh and hydrate you. Shrimp provides lean protein and avocado adds a slice of healthy fats for a perfectly balanced mini-meal. Just be careful with the spicy peanut dip — it’s so good it can be addictive!
8. Tahini Feta Toast
Photo Credit: Yummly/OliveTomato
Tired of butter and jelly on your toast? Try tahini for a savory and surprising swap. This sesame-seed spread is a good source of healthy unsaturated fats as well as protective minerals such as phosphorous and zinc. Feta and pine nuts give this toast an Instagram-worthy edge. For an extra dose of fiber, choose a hearty multigrain bread or cracker over white or wheat.
9. Green Smoothie
Photo Credit: EatingWell
Green smoothies are a great way to get fresh or frozen leafy greens into your day, but store-bought varieties are usually packed with added sweeteners. Ditch the bottle and make your own! This filling smoothie is high in fiber from fresh fruits and vegetables, packing in 8 grams per serving. It’s also an impressive source of vitamins A and C, with over 100% of your daily needs in every cup. Not bad for a mid-morning drink, eh?
