Snacks are small, quick mini-meals. Snacks are eaten between meals and help keep you from being hungry. Including a protein source (such as nuts, beans, or low-fat or fat-free dairy) or a whole grain (such as whole wheat bread) can give snacks more "staying power" so you will not get hungry again as quickly. Healthy snacks are:

• Whole grain
• Low-salt
• Low in added sugar
• Fresh foods like fruits and vegetables

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Here are a dozen healthy snack ideas you can try:

1. One medium apple or pear with 12 almonds
2. Half cup (120 milliliters, mL) of berries with 6 ounces (oz), or 170 grams (g), of plain yogurt or low-fat cottage cheese
3. One small banana with 1 tablespoon (tbsp), or (15 mL), unsalted peanut butter or almond butter
4. One quarter cup (60 mL) trail mix with dried fruits and nuts (with no added sugar or salt)
5. Three cups (720 mL) air popped popcorn with 2 tbsp (30 mL) shredded parmesan cheese
6. One cup (240 mL) of grapes or cherry tomatoes with one low-fat string cheese
7. One cup (240 mL) raw carrots, broccoli, or bell peppers with 2 tbsp (30 mL) of hummus or black bean dip
8. One cup (240 mL) tomato soup with five whole grain crackers
9. One third cup (80 mL) rolled oats cooked in 1 cup (240 mL) fat-free milk with cinnamon
10. A hard-boiled egg and 12 almonds
11. Fruit smoothie with 1 cup (240 mL) fat-free milk, half a small banana, and half cup (120 mL) berries
12. Five whole wheat crackers and 1 oz (30 g) low-fat cheddar cheese

Snacks can be good for you, as long as you include healthy choices and amounts. For example, you can put the desired amount of food on a plate rather than eating directly from the bag. Small snacks between meals can keep you from overeating at mealtimes and help you manage your weight. If you have diabetes, a balanced snack can help stabilize your blood sugar. Just be sure you count the grams of carbohydrates.

Healthy snacks for adults can provide energy for work and exercise. Healthy snacks and drinks for children provide much needed energy for growth, school, and sports. Offer young children healthy snacks, and they may be more likely to choose them on their own as they get older.

Eating a variety of snacks like the ones above will give you extra vitamins, minerals, fiber, antioxidants (substances that help prevent cell damage), and other disease-fighting nutrients.

Limit high-calorie sports drinks and packaged, processed snacks, likes chips or cookies. Include a glass of water with your snack instead of a sweetened beverage. Avoid snacks with added sugar to help you maintain healthy teeth and gums.

American Diabetes Association website. 25 simple snack ideas. www.diabetesfoodhub.org/articles/25-simple-snack-ideas.html. Accessed May 18, 2024.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Healthy habits: fruits and vegetables to manage weight. www.cdc.gov/healthy-weight-growth/healthy-eating/fruits-vegetables.html?CDC_AAref_Val=https://www.cdc.gov/healthyweight/healthy_eating/fruits_vegetables.html. Updated December 19, 2023. Accessed May 18, 2024.

US Department of Health and Human Services website. Healthy snacks: quick tips for parents. health.gov/myhealthfinder/healthy-living/nutrition/healthy-snacks-quick-tips-parents. Updated August 30, 2023. Accessed May 18, 2024.