Need some snack ideas that will help you lose weight in the new year? Finding simple, tasty food options that won’t break the calorie bank doesn’t have to be hard with the help of Hy-Vee. Let Hy-Vee show you how to put together easy recipes that will give you the nutrition you need while keeping you and your family on the go.
Healthy snacking is actually good for you. Snacking is a great pick-me-up, and it provides an opportunity to include all the important food groups in your diet. Snacking also can keep you from overeating at your next meal, according to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. And if you’re an athlete, healthy snacks can help meet the increased calorie and nutrient needs of maintaining/gaining lean body mass.
The key? Snacks full of quality nutrients, not added sugars and processed foods. Keep your snacks under 200 calories each for an average adult, or between 200 and 300 calories for athletes, and limit snacks to one or two a day. Think of snacks as mini-meals that contribute nutrient-rich foods.
Nutrition-Packed Snacks
A healthy snack includes at least one food from the MyPlate™ food groups – grains, vegetables, protein, fruit and dairy. Combine peanut butter and banana and you offer your body manganese, folate, protein, niacin, vitamin C, fiber and potassium. Those nutrients are important for healthy eyes and strong muscles, an increased feeling of fullness and heart health.
Combine Greek yogurt and blueberries to get vitamin A, calcium, protein, vitamin C, manganese and fiber. These nutrients are important for healthy eyes, hair, nails, skin, strong bones and heart health, and are rich in disease-fighting antioxidants.
Combine hummus and baby carrots for the nutrients of manganese; folate; fiber; protein; copper; phosphorus; iron; vitamins A, K and C; potassium; and magnesium. These nutrients support healthy digestion and an increased feeling of fullness and are important for healthy vision.
Pistachios and an apple offer your body the nutrients of phosphorus, potassium, vitamin B6, fiber, protein and vitamin C. These nutrients give an increased feeling of fullness, have cancer-fighting properties and are heart-healthy.
A snack of low-fat cottage cheese with red peppers gives your body vitamins A, C, K and B6, as well as protein, calcium and fiber. Those nutrients are important for strong muscles and bone health and important for healthy vision.
Healthy Snack Options
Here are some healthy snack options, which include a protein, fat and /or fiber food with a carbohydrate food:
- 1/4 cup nuts, such as pistachios, and a piece of fruit
- 2 sheets of graham crackers with natural peanut butter or almond butter
- 4 to 5 whole grain crackers with peanut butter
- 1 slice whole grain bread with peanut butter
- Carrots, cherry tomatoes, cucumber or celery sticks with an oil-based salad dressing or vinaigrette
- Popcorn trail mix: 1 cup light popcorn mixed with 1/4 cup nuts and 2 tablespoons raisins
- Cereal Mix: 1/4 cup nuts, 2 tablespoons dried fruit, 1 tablespoon chocolate pieces and 1/4 cup whole grain cereal
- Low-fat yogurt with 2 to 3 tablespoons chopped nuts
- Hummus with cut vegetables or whole wheat pita bread
- Sliced apple or banana with peanut butter
- Peanut butter smoothie: Blend 1 cup low-fat vanilla yogurt, one banana and 1 tablespoon peanut butter
- Fruit smoothie: Blend 6 ounces low-fat vanilla yogurt, 1/2 cup skim milk, 1 cup fresh or frozen berries (strawberries, raspberries or blueberries)
- Fresh fruit or vegetables with 1/2 cup low-fat cottage cheese
- 13 baked corn chips with fresh salsa
- A hard-boiled egg with a piece of whole grain toast topped with light, non-trans-fat margarine
- Spread celery sticks with peanut butter or low-fat cream cheese. Top with raisins or dried cranberries.
- Toast an English muffin, drizzle with pizza sauce and sprinkle with low-fat mozzarella cheese.
- Top a banana with low-fat vanilla and strawberry frozen yogurt. Sprinkle with your favorite whole-grain cereal or granola.
- Put cubes of low-fat cheese and grapes on pretzel sticks.
- Spread vanilla Greek yogurt over a graham cracker and top with cut fruit.
- In a bowl, combine All-Bran wheat crackers, Cheerios, animal crackers, honey bear-shaped crackers, shredded wheat cereal, raisins and M&M’s.
Source: adapted from the Food, Nutrition and Health Tips from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
Pineapple Green Smoothie
Serves 1 (about 1-1/2 cups).
All you need
- 1/2 cup Hy-Vee unsweetened almond milk
- 1/3 cup Hy-Vee nonfat plain Greek yogurt
- 1 cup baby spinach
- 1 cup frozen banana slices (about 1 medium banana)
- 1/2 cup Hy-Vee frozen pineapple chunks
- 1 tbsp Hy-Vee HealthMarket chia seeds
- 1 to 2 tsp pure maple syrup or honey, optional
All you do
- Add almond milk and yogurt to a blender, then add spinach, banana, pineapple, chia and sweetener (if using). Blend until smooth.
Nutrition facts per serving: 297 calories, 6g fat, 1g saturated fat, 4mg cholesterol, 145mg sodium, 54g carbohydrate, 10g fiber, 29g sugar, 13g protein.
Daily values: 64% vitamin A, 102% vitamin C, 30% calcium
Source: adapted from Eating Well, Inc.
The information is not intended as medical advice. Please consult a medical professional for individual advice.
