Healthy Snacks!

Fresh Fruit
It’s packed with vitamins and minerals that help your body function. Look for whatever’s in season, be it pears, watermelon, or cherries. The fruit will taste better and have more nutrients because it hasn’t been processed or preserved. If you can’t get fresh fruit, frozen is OK, too.

Dark Chocolate
A half-ounce square of high-quality HU (brand I recommend ) dark chocolate contains very little sugar. But don’t worry — the taste is rich and intense enough to satisfy your craving. Dark chocolate is also loaded with plant chemicals called flavanols that may help protect your heart.

Apple Chips
Natural compounds in apples can help protect you from heart disease, diabetes, and some types of cancer. For something different, make your own crispy apple chips. Core and thinly slice an apple. Spread on a lightly greased baking sheet, sprinkle with apple pie spice, and bake for 1 hour at 225 degrees. Flip and bake one hour more or until the apples feel dry. Put them on a cooling rack right away.

Apple and Nut Butter
Craving more than just an apple? Slice one in half, spread a tablespoon of all-natural nut butter on top, and sprinkle with cinnamon. Not only is cinnamon packed with antioxidants, but it can also add extra sweetness to food without added sugar. Be sure your peanut butter contains only peanuts and possibly sea salt. My favorite is the Costco Kirkland brand.

Greek Yogurt
Some flavored yogurts contain more added sugar than the amount you should eat in one day. A better option: Stir cinnamon into ¾ cup of plain low-fat Greek yogurt. You’ll get calcium for bone health and protein to help you feel fuller longer. And you’ll get probiotics — that’s bacteria that’s good for you. My favorite is TooGood or FAGE plain Greek.

Dates
They’ve got plenty of natural sugar. That’s why they’re often used as a sweetener in recipes. But these sticky, chewy, caramel-like dried fruits are also packed with fiber, vitamin B6, and minerals like potassium and manganese. If you have diabetes, be careful of how many you eat. 2-3 dates are a serving size.

Frozen Grapes
On hot days when a popsicle would hit the spot, try snacking on frozen seedless grapes instead. Spending time in your freezer will make them even sweeter. Simply wash and dry a few bunches, then put them onto a rimmed baking sheet. Put in your freezer for 1-2 hours, or until they have an icy crunch.

Nuts
Walnuts. Pecans. Almonds. Whatever kind you prefer, a small handful makes a great snack. They’re full of healthy fats, fiber, and protein. They also have minerals like magnesium. Skip the kinds that are dry-roasted or flavored — they’re higher in sodium. Instead, add your own dash of flavor with cayenne pepper or cinnamon.

Edamame
These young soybeans have a mild, buttery flavor that’s easy to like. And a three-fourths cup serving has just 7 grams of sodium. Edamame’s also packed with vitamins, minerals, and plant compounds that help protect your heart and lower your risk of some cancers. Look for edamame in the frozen food section. Steam or microwave, then sprinkle with a hint of salt and your favorite seasoning.

String Cheese
You don’t have to be a kid to enjoy this lunch box staple. It’s also high in calcium, which is good for your bones and teeth. The combo of lean protein and fiber-rich carbs helps keep you fueled until your next meal. Look for low- or reduced-sodium options.

Veggies and Dip
You can’t go wrong when you snack on fresh-cut veggies like carrots, celery, and peppers. To make a healthy dip to go along with them, peel, seed, and grate a large cucumber. Drain the extra water. Mix with 1 cup of plain Greek yogurt, juice from half a lemon, 1 teaspoon dried dill, and a minced garlic clove. Chill for 1 hour before serving.

Hard-Boiled Egg
When you need a fast snack to stave off hunger, a hard-boiled egg may be the way to go. Just one has 6 grams of protein to help fill you up. Eggs are high in nutrients like vitamin D, which is good for bone health. They also have lutein, which helps protect your eyes. Because eggs are high in cholesterol, try not to eat more than one a day. If you have diabetes or heart disease, aim for no more than two to three per week