Who doesn’t love a good snack? Whether you are a constant snacker or find yourself reaching for something here and there, snacking is meant to satisfy your hunger, tide you over until your next meal, and give you that boost of energy you need. Snacking isn’t bad and can be beneficial for your health. However, all too often, people make poor snack choices.
Because all the snacks you consume count towards your daily caloric intake, snacking can quickly push you over the edge. What may not seem like a big deal adds up over the day. So what’s a person to do? There’s no need to quit snacking; it’s about making healthy choices.
Here’s a look at 15 delicious low-calorie snacks you can reach for and not feel guilty about.
Steamed Edamame
The fact that steamed edamame is a low-calorie snack is just scraping the surface of the health benefits of this food. Classified as a legume, it has just 224 calories for a full cup. Some of the other health benefits are that it is high in folate, vitamin K, and protein. If you find them a bit plain, try sprinkling a small amount of sea salt on them.
Steaming is just one of the ways to cook edamame, but this is a great way to prepare them fast and retain their health benefits. It is worth noting that these can be enjoyed hot or cold, making them an easy snack to take with you on the go.
Popcorn
Often, people equate low-calorie snacks to items lacking in flavor. Popcorn is a great example of a healthy, low-calorie snack that can be very flavorful. Ideally, you will air pop it at home, as this is the healthiest way to make popcorn. It also provides you full control over the toppings. Microwaveable popcorn may be convenient, but it also tends to be high in sodium and contains a lot of butter.
Some of the toppings you can add at home that will deliver plenty of flavor without tons of calories include:
- Chili powder
- Cinnamon
- Olive oil
- Ranch seasoning
- Lime or lemon zest
- Cocoa powder
- Freshly ground black pepper
You can even try mixing and matching toppings.
Pickles
Pickles have a distinct flavor, so they won’t be for everyone, but if you enjoy the taste, they can be a fabulous low-calorie snack. Generally speaking, a full cup of dill pickles with either low or regular sodium comes in at 17 calories. What other snack will offer that few calories? When you think about how a pickle is made, it is nothing more than a cucumber that has sat in spices, salt, and vinegar, so it makes sense.
One thing to note about pickles is that they can be high in sodium. It’s best to choose a low-sodium jar or, even better, make your own.
Tuna
Here’s an example of a low-calorie snack that is also very filling. A little tuna spread on some wheat-thin crackers or low-sodium tortilla chips will satisfy your hunger quickly.
If you’re extra hungry and are trying your best to hold out until mealtime for something heavy, you can always spread the tuna on a slice of toasted whole-grain bread. The bread offers great benefits, especially where heart health is concerned, and will only add about 100 calories. Considering an entire can of tuna has about 190 calories—and you’re not likely eating a whole can—that works out to be a very low-calorie snack.
Avocado
Next, we have avocados, which have a creamy consistency and mild taste. Whether you eat half an avocado on its own or choose to make guacamole, it’s a great low-calorie option. Many enjoy just slicing the avocado in half, sprinkling a little black pepper and some lime or lemon juice on it, and eating it as-is.
If you want something with a bit more substance, you can mash up the insides of a whole avocado, add lime juice, a pinch of salt and pepper, freshly sliced red onions, and diced tomatoes. Give it a good stir, and you’ve got guacamole that you can enjoy on pita bread, with tortilla chips, or even on a slice of whole-grain bread.
Roasted Chickpeas
Similar to edamame, chickpeas are another low-calorie legume option. You can prepare them in many ways, but one that is particularly tasty is roasting them. Chickpeas are relatively low in calories—365 per 100 grams—and very high in potassium and protein. The protein boost helps you feel full and gives you energy. These are just a few of the health benefits they feature.
You’ll find many recipes for roasting chickpeas online, but if you happen to own an air fryer – this can be the quickest, easiest, and healthiest method of preparation.
Hard-Boiled Eggs
If you love eggs, then you’ve most likely had at least a few hard-boiled eggs in your life. These are great in salads, the first step to deviled eggs, and can even work in things like stir-fry. But did you know that a hard-boiled egg on its own can be just as fabulous? If you’re used to “dressing it up,” here’s a chance to enjoy it in an uncomplicated manner.
A single hard-boiled egg contains about 77 calories and six grams of protein. In terms of a low-calorie snack, you can’t get much lower than that. However, eggs do contain fat, so consuming too many can be a problem.
Almonds
Here’s a really easy snack that requires no preparation and can easily be enjoyed on the go. Throwing a handful of unsalted almonds into a reusable container that you can carry in your purse or knapsack is not only smart but also tasty. Just a few is all you’ll need for a boost of minerals and vitamins, not to mention they can satisfy your hunger, so you are less likely to snack on high-calorie foods.
Almonds are high in fiber, protein, and healthy fat. One serving of almonds, which is about a handful (23 almonds), equates to 160 calories, six grams of protein, four grams of fiber, and 75 mg of calcium.
Greek Yogurt
Fans of yogurt know all about how great a snack it can be and how wonderfully low-calorie it is. But what about Greek yogurt? This is a creamier, thicker version of traditional yogurt and is fabulous on its own, with mix-ins or even in a smoothie.
Because it is so much denser, it can make you feel more satisfied than a typical serving of yogurt. One container (170 g) of plain Greek, nonfat yogurt is 100 calories. You’d be amazed at how full you can feel after that serving size. You can also add some flavor with a few fresh berries on top.
Cottage Cheese
Another low-calorie dairy option is cottage cheese. Look at sample menus for people on a diet and trying to lose weight, and you’ll usually find cottage cheese. Again, it’s high in protein, which helps to fill you up, yet it’s relatively low in fat. A 100-gram serving of cottage cheese has just 98 calories, only 4.3 grams of fat, and an incredible 11 grams of protein.
Just like with yogurt, you can add fresh berries for flavor.
Veggies and Hummus
Fresh raw veggies are always a smart snacking choice. The calorie count tends to be extremely low, and you’re getting all the extra benefits of eating vegetables. Raw veggies can be dipped in hummus to create a more filling snack and round out the health benefits.
Sardines
Here’s a snack you may not typically think of, but sardines are another great low-calorie option. Because they can be bought in a can, they are also easy to “prepare.” All you have to do is open the jar or can, and you can eat them as is. You can also put them on toast or crackers.
Sardines can be packed in tomato sauce, brine, olive oil, and other types of dressings. Some jars even state they are boneless and skinless. Between the different types of dressings – oil will add the most calories to the sardines.
String Cheese
String cheese is not only easy to grab on the go, but it also tastes delicious and is surprisingly low in calories and fat. People who are trying to watch their weight often steer clear of cheese, but it comes down to portion control. Because string cheese is individually packed, you don’t have to worry about going overboard.
One serving of string cheese has about 85 calories. You can also find lower-calorie options; just be sure to read the packaging.
Blueberries
We’ve alluded to berries many times in this article, and while they are great toppings, they are also a good snack on their own. Blueberries can be a great choice thanks to all the nutritional and health benefits offered. They are high in vitamins C and K, antioxidants, and fiber and support the immune system, to name a few. This “superfood” is only 80 calories for a whole cup of berries.
Apple
Finally, we’ve got apples. This may seem like a “boring” snack, but once again, it’s an item that is grossly underestimated in terms of its nutritional benefits. You can easily throw an apple in your lunch bag or purse, and thanks to their high fiber and water content, they fill you up pretty fast. One apple is roughly 52 calories, which makes them an ideal companion item at snack time.