Healthy Snacks to Keep in your Cupboard

Snacking is great. Picking up a bag of chips, or a chocolate bar and quenching that hunger that strikes between meals feels fantastic. But, if you're looking to make healthier choices, you might be wondering if there is a way to snack healthily.

Well, there is! Healthy snacks exist and they exist in abundance. Below we've gathered some information on healthy snacks and what they can do for you. Check it out and get some healthy snack ideas!

What is a 'healthy snack'?

A healthy snack combines delicious snacks and good-for-you ingredients all in one. And it's not all cucumber slices and hard-boiled eggs. A healthy snack can constitute anything from homemade granola bars and banana bread to roasted almonds and a smoothie bowl. Anything that adds nutritional value to your diet can be considered a healthy snack.

Healthy snacks should add vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants or give you energy and support digestive or metabolic function. Healthy snacks include foods with protein, healthy fat, and anything else that can help you maintain your health as you indulge in a tasty snack.

Healthy fat: What are healthy fats and why do I need them?

When discussing healthy snacks, healthy fat inevitably comes up. But what is healthy fat? And why should we be snacking on foods with it in?

Healthy fats are monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats found in nuts, seeds, and fish. These fats provide energy to the body, support cell growth, protect organs, keep the body warm, and provide the body with essential fatty acids. These fatty acids help with the absorption of vitamins A, D, E, and K.

A diet rich in healthy fats can lower cholesterol levels, lower the risk of heart disease, and lower blood pressure. Healthy fats are a really good food group to get into your diet and foods with them make for a filling snack!

Healthy snacks to keep in your cupboard

Below, we've gathered a range of healthy snacks you should have in your cupboard to make sure that when you're reaching for your snacks, you're reaching for something that is good for you!

Apple slices and almond butter

Apple slices and almond butter makes for a really delicious combo. With the vitamins in the apple and the protein and healthy fats in the almond butter, you've got a really nutritious snack.

Peanut butter is a great replacement for almond butter in this instance, particularly for those allergic to tree nuts. Though lower in healthy fats, peanut butter is higher in protein and perfect for keeping you fuller for longer.

Our favourite almond butter is this certified organic almond butter from Every Bit Organic Raw. For an interesting twist on almond butter, try this almond and chai butter for a warm and spicy kick. And for those opting for peanut butter, we love this Ambrosia Organic Peanut Butter.

Check out our butter page to find even more fantastic nut butter full to the brim with health benefits and great for a protein punch.

Fruit and plain Greek yogurt

Fresh blueberries, raspberries, and strawberries covered in protein-rich plain Greek yogurt is the perfect light and healthy snack for when you're craving something sweet. With vitamin C and antioxidant-packed juicy berries and yogurt that will keep you fuller for longer, this is a fantastically healthy snack for you to try out!

For an even tastier, and slightly crunchier snack, try out mixed berries, Greek yogurt, and granola. Perfect for breakfast or a mid-afternoon snack, our favourite, fibre-packed granola is this Blue Frog Raspberry and Vanilla Probiotic Granola.

Dark chocolate

Did you know that chocolate is actually incredibly nutritious? Dark chocolate, that is!

Dark chocolate, like the kind in this Loving Earth bar, is full of vitamins and essential minerals, as well as antioxidants. A small amount of dark chocolate a day has been known to reduce blood pressure, increase blood flow, and lower the risk of heart disease.

While we're not suggesting you replace all your meals with dark chocolate, when you are craving a sweet treat, try out dark chocolate as a healthier alternative. We love these dark chocolate truffles from Alter Eco, and for a fiery kick, try this dark chocolate coated crystallised ginger from Organic Times.

Nuts

We've talked about healthy fats already and nuts are fantastic sources of this. Snacking on nuts is a great way to satisfy your mid-afternoon hunger and boost your health at the same time. Eating plain nuts, or seasoned nuts in moderation is an easy way to incorporate healthy fat and protein into your diet.

We have a few firm favourites when it comes to nutty snacks. 2DIE4 Live Foods offer a really great range of nut products, including these Masala Cashews, and these Cinnamon Maple Almonds. Both are tasty snacks and packed full of high-quality protein.

Dried fruit

Fantastic in a fruit cake or sprinkled over cereal, dried fruits are actually a really good source of antioxidants, micronutrients, and fibre. Snacking on dried fruit can help to keep you feeling full and energised throughout the day.

Grab a bag of dried goji berries or snack on some dried mango and fill yourself up on all of the goodness these snacks can offer.

Seaweed snacks

Seaweed is a highly nutritious food source. Packed full of iodine and low in calories, seaweed snacks offer a versatile and healthy way to quench your hunger. Coming in different flavours, including teriyaki seaweed snacks and sesame seaweed snacks, seaweed snacks are a low calorie, easy healthy snack to opt for.

Popcorn

And finally, for a healthy, sweet and salty snack, try popcorn!

Popcorn has lots of fibre, a high level of antioxidants, keeps you fuller for longer, and it comes in a range of tasty flavours!

Our favourites? This salted caramel popcorn from East Bali Cashews, Cob's natural salt and vinegar popcorn, and their cheddar cheese popcorn too! Popcorn comes in such a huge variety of flavours, but make sure to choose options that don't contain added sugar.

Conclusion

Healthy snacks are a great way to boost nutrient levels, feel fuller for longer, and provide energy to your body throughout the day and in between meals. Though, as with anything, healthy snacks should be consumed in moderation, those we have listed will add nutrition to your snacking habits and make your snack times a touch healthier.

Check out other snack ideas on our site today by visiting our snacks pages.

Frequently asked questions

What are healthy snacks to have in your pantry?

Healthy snacks should add nutrition to your snack time. Some great healthy snacks to have in your pantry include:

• Dried fruits
• Dark chocolate
• Tortilla chips
• Popcorn
• Seaweed snacks

There are lots of other healthy, delicious snacks that you can stock up on. Make sure when you're choosing snacks you're looking for filling snacks that will add essential macro and micronutrients into your diet.

What are some healthy, non-perishable snacks?

Non-perishable snacks are perfect to keep with you when you're on the go. There are lots of options for a nutritious and delicious snack. These include:

• Homemade granola bars, made with wholesome ingredients like maple syrup and nuts
• Popcorn, in interesting salty and naturally sweet flavours
• Trail mix, packed with protein-filled nuts and dried fruit

What are the 10 healthy snacks?

There are plenty of snack options that can help you maintain your health. Below we've listed ten of the best healthy snacks we can think of!

1. Healthy banana muffins. Made with micronutrient-packed bananas and other wholesome ingredients like coconut flour.
2. Apple slices and peanut butter, or any nut butter for that matter!
3. Mixed berries and greek yogurt
4. Celery and cottage cheese, for a mix of micro and macronutrients
5. Chia pudding
6. Dark chocolate
7. Tortilla chips and guac, for those healthy fats we love
8. Energy bars, filled with protein powder and whole grains
9. Kale chips
10. Hard-boiled eggs

What are the healthiest snacks to eat?

The healthiest snacks you can eat are full of micro and macronutrients. Snacks should be chosen based on how much they will fill you up. Snacks with lots of protein and healthy fats can keep you fuller for longer, while those with lots of fibre increase satiety. Opt for nuts, nut butter, greek yogurt, whole-grain granola bars, and popcorn to find snacks that help you feel full and boost your health too.