HEALTHY SNACK IDEAS

Let’s be “snack prepared” so next time you need a quick, tasty snack, you have ideas and can enjoy a nourishing, healthy choice.

Knowing what healthy snacks are can make it much easier to make better choices throughout your day. When you’re hungry between meals, it’s tempting to grab whatever is quick and easy, like biscuits, chocolate crisps, or processed snacks. However, if you already know which snacks are good for you and have them readily available, you’re more likely to choose options that support your health and weight loss goals. Additionally, making your own healthy snacks is often much cheaper than buying prepackaged ones. 

I have put together some great, easy, healthy snack ideas for you. As I always say, the more we understand about food and our bodies, the more motivated we are to make the right choices. Education is key!

10 HEALTHY SNACK IDEAS

Peanut Butter-Stuffed Dates (Nature’s Snickers)

Ingredients: 4–6 Medjool dates, pitted 2–3 tablespoons of natural peanut butter 

Optional toppings: dark chocolate chips, chopped nuts, sea salt flakes, shredded coconut

Instructions: Pit and gently open each date. Fill with 1/2 to 1 tsp of peanut butter. Add optional toppings like nuts or chocolate. 

Nutritional Benefits: Dates are a natural sweetener with fibre and antioxidants for quick energy. Peanut Butter: Healthy fats and protein for fullness and muscle repair.Dark Chocolate (optional) Antioxidants for heart and brain health.

Mashed Peas on Toast with Lemon Zest Recipe

Ingredients: 1 cup frozen or fresh green peas. 1 slice whole grain or sourdough bread. 1–2 teaspoons olive oil (or butter) Zest and juice of ½ lemon (optional) Salt & pepper to taste

Instructions: Cook the peas. Boil or steam for 3–4 minutes; drain. Mash the peas. Combine with olive oil, salt, pepper, and lemon zest; mash to desired texture. Toast bread Assemble: Spread mashed peas on toast.

Nutritional Benefits: Peas provide plant protein, fibre, and vitamin C. Toast offers complex carbs. Lemon zest adds brightness, creating a creamy, delicious dish.

Veggie Sticks with Hummus

Slice up cucumbers, carrots, and bell peppers. Dip them in a few tablespoons of hummus for a crunchy, filling snack packed with fibre and healthy fats.

Greek Yoghurt with Berries

Scoop plain Greek yoghurt into a bowl, then top with a handful of fresh or frozen berries. You get protein, probiotics, and antioxidants all in one simple snack.

Hard-Boiled Eggs and Cherry Tomatoes

Boil a few eggs ahead of time and keep them in the fridge. Pair one or two eggs with a handful of cherry tomatoes for a protein-rich, low-carb snack.

Homemade Trail Mix

Mix a small handful of unsalted nuts (like almonds or walnuts), seeds (like sunflower or pumpkin), and a few dark chocolate chips or dried fruit. Make your own mix to avoid added sugar and salt.

Oatmeal Energy Bites

Combine rolled oats, nut butter, honey, and a few extras like chia seeds or mini chocolate chips. Roll into bite-sized balls and chill. No baking is needed, and they’re perfect for grab-and-go. Oats are a great source of fibre, especially beta-glucan, which supports heart health and keeps you full longer. Nut butter, chia seeds, and dark chocolate chips provide a combo of healthy fats, protein, and antioxidants, boosting energy, brain function, and overall wellness.

Rice Cakes with Peanut Butter and Banana Slices

Simply spread peanut butter onto a rice =cake (or an oatcake), top with sliced banana and then sprinkle over a few poppy seeds.

Peanut butter adds healthy fats, protein, and a bit of fibre, which helps you feel full and satisfied for longer.

Rice cakes give you quick-digesting carbs for a fast energy boost without being too heavy.

Poppy seeds add a little crunch and some extra nutrients like calcium, iron, and fibre.

Cottage Cheese with Strawberries

So simple; all you need to do is add some washed sliced strawberries to a small bowl of cottage cheese. Cottage cheese is rich in protein, which digests slowly and keeps you feeling full longer.

It’s perfect for supporting muscle repair and maintenance, especially after workouts.

Great for weight management while still getting what your body needs.

Strawberries are loaded with antioxidants and vitamin C, which help support the immune system and fight inflammation.

They also add natural sweetness without added sugar.

Frozen Grapes Dipped in Greek Yoghurt

When you buy grapes next, wash some and keep a few in the freezer, as they make a great frozen sweet treat. To prepare this tasty and healthy snack, just add a handful of frozen grapes to a small pot of Greek yoghurt. For an extra special touch, sprinkle some crushed pecans on top. Grapes are rich in antioxidants,  which support heart health and protect cells from damage. Greek yoghurt is packed with protein and probiotics, promoting muscle repair and a healthy gut.

So there are your are 10 easy-to-make, feel-good, healthy snacks. Remember, balance is key! It’s perfectly fine to indulge in the occasional biscuit or bar of chocolate (as a self-confessed chocoholic, I can relate). Treats are important, and surprisingly, healthy foods can also be enjoyable. If you’re craving that biscuit, go ahead and enjoy it! I always recommend following the 80/20 rule for nutrition, which allows for some flexibility. You can read the full blog here. 

I also recommend the NHS website for advice on healthy eating, as it breaks down the Eatwell Guide. Since we all need to eat every day, it’s important to make the healthiest choices possible to support our health, weight, and overall well-being.