Is there such a thing as a healthy, grown up snack food?
I like to think in terms of good, better, and best foods. Are prepackaged snackies ever going to be “best?” Probably not, but there are some terrific options out there that are remarkably better than what you’ll get out of a vending machine or in an airport for $9,000.
My criteria? I shoot for balanced sugar content – which just means the goal is to keep from spiking your blood sugar, and ultimately, not crashing your energy, or causing even worse cravings to hit you an hour after your snack. I like some fiber, healthy fat, and protein in the mix, too. I mean, it’s not easy to check every one of those boxes, but clever snack combining can get you there, too.
Here’s some faves you can pick up before your next trip, whether it’s to your kid’s ball game or on the plane to the South of France (we can dream).
All snacks are linked for your shopping convenience.
- These are really good. They taste like candy, but they really tide you over.
Shameless snacks are sour fruit gummies with 26g of fiber per pack. This will keep you full until you can get some real food, and the Standard American Diet is woefully lacking in fiber, so I’m all for this idea.
2. The next one is a longtime fave, because it has 11g of plant protein per bag, and it’s crunchy.
The Only Bean crunchy edamame beans come in multiple flavors, and play well right out of the bag, or thrown on top of a salad to spice it up.
3. Grassfed beef sticks with 10g of protein per stick
Chomps makes several flavors of really clean, zero sugar beef sticks. Great little protein shot that even your kids will eat.
4. Another crunchy one to eat on its own or toss into a salad!
Crunchy Chickpeas will definitely satisfy that salty-crunchy craving, and you’ll get a bit of plant protein with it.
5. Yummy, clean protein bars – GF, keto, dairy free, low sugar, high fiber
These IQ Bars check all the boxes, and they’re really tasty. Not dry and chalky and after-tasty like so many on the market.
6. GF almond flour cinnamon grahams
Simple Mills Sweet Thins are a big fave of mine. They give you Teddy Graham vibes, but way better for you.
7. A healthier chip
Jackson’s Sweet Potato Chips are in the better catagory, and they’re delicious. They’re still chips, but definitely better ones.
8. These bars have really niche flavors and a great nutrition profile.
Stars + Honey makes really top shelf protein bars. That is all.
9. Fruit Roll Ups, but make them real fruit.
That’s It Fruit Snacks have actual fiber and are free of just about everything but fruit. Your kids will steal them, so prepare accordingly.
10. Almonds with extras
Skinny Dipped Almonds are so good. They’re coated in delicious flavors, but with less of it, so you get the taste profile you’re looking for with way less sugar and fewer calories.
11. Peanut Butter Cups, elevated
Unreal peanut butter cups have a ton less sugar than their counterparts, and they will scratch the same itch.
12. Cacao Goji Bites
Navitas Cacao Goji Bites are just little nuggets of goodness. I pop one in my mouth when I need to tide myself over to dinner, or when I just need a little something before bed. They’re just enough to keep my blood sugar out of the gutter, and give me a boost. Highly recommend, but don’t eat too many – they’re nutritionally dense!
Please let me know which is your favorite!
As always, hi, I wrote this, it’s me (not AI). When you shop the affiliate links in this post, we receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks for your support!
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