Healthy Snack Ideas to Support Your Fitness Journey

A huge part of accomplishing your desired look on the outside has to do with what you put on the inside… the food you eat. And while there is nothing wrong with having some guilty-pleasure snacks every once in a while, it’s essential to find go-to snacks that taste good and are good for you. To help, I’ve put together some of my favorite healthy snacks ideas so you can find snacks that not only aid in muscle building and weight loss but that you enjoy and your body will thank you for. 

What Makes a Healthy Snack Healthy?

When you think about what makes a healthy snack healthy, the most important thing to consider is the nutritional value of the food. Take note of how much protein, vitamins and minerals, fiber, fat, carbohydrates, sugar, sodium, and calories are in the snack. That is an excellent place to start because a snack with high sugar content isn’t the healthiest option. However, don’t start eliminating everything quite yet. 

Just because a food is high in calories or fat doesn’t mean it isn’t healthy. A healthy diet is well-rounded. Your body needs carbohydrates to produce energy and healthy fats to help your brain function properly. Remember, health is not all about weight loss. It’s about providing your body with the nutrients it needs to function well throughout the day. That means a combination of proteins, fats, carbs, and even healthy sugars found in fruits and vegetables. 

What are Healthy Snack Ideas to Buy?

While processed snacks do tend to be high in sugar and other not-so-good-for-you ingredients, there are some healthy snacks you can buy. Here are my favorite healthy snack ideas that I don’t have to make to eat.

Protein Bars from Vital Proteins

Not all protein bars are created equal. Some have a lot of added sugar and unnecessary ingredients that do more harm than good. Some taste horrible, and it doesn’t matter how good for you they are, there’s no sense in putting your taste buds through it. Others, like the Vital Performance™ Protein Bars from Vital Proteins, are simply perfect. They come in three delicious flavors–Salty Chocolate Peanut, Vanilla Coconut, and Chocolate Almond–and are packed with the nutrients you need to excel in your health and fitness journey. 

Good Ole Fruits and Veggies 

Perfect just the way they are, fruits and veggies are one of the easiest healthy snack ideas to grab, eat, and go. But for added deliciousness (and nutrition), pair them with a great dipping sauce. You can’t go wrong with an apple dipped in your favorite nut butter, carrots dipped in hummus, bell peppers dipped in guacamole, or cucumbers dipped in Bitchin’ Sauce. For a non-perishable snack option, try your favorite fruits and veggies in dried form. They still have all of the nutrients you need but are easier to eat on the go and don’t go bad as quickly. 

Nuts 

There are so many different types of nuts, and they all hold such tremendous nutritional value. Because most nuts are high in protein, fat (the healthy kind), and fiber, you really can’t go wrong with which type you choose. However, the top four most nutritious nuts are almonds, pistachios, walnuts, and cashews. 

Healthy Snacks from Thistle

If you’ve followed me for any amount of time, you probably know by now that I love Thistle. I use them not only for their delicious, good-for-you snacks like protein energy balls, green juices, and snack boxes but also for their lunches and dinners. They have perfected the balance between healthy and tasty, plus they make my life so much easier because everything you need to eat right is sent straight to your door. Use THIS LINK for $50 off your order and get all the healthy snacks and foods you need.

What are Healthy Snack Ideas to Make?

I love putting together delicious, healthy snacks that are a bit more exciting than a protein bar. While it’s definitely a good idea to have easy, grab-and-go snacks on hand for when you don’t have time to whip something up, you can create really nutritious snacks by taking a few minutes to put some ingredients together. Here are some of my favorite healthy snack ideas to make. 

A Simple (Yet Delicious) Smoothie

Smoothies are quick and easy to make and perfect for a hot summer day. Plus, there are so many different ways to make smoothies. For a light, fruity smoothie, simply use your favorite frozen fruits and a splash of your go-to milk to make it creamy. Or, for a smoothie with more nutrients that keeps you feeling full for longer, add some spinach or kale and Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides. Not only do they taste amazing, but the benefits are off the charts. Collagen helps strengthen your hair, nails, bones, and joints and aids in recovery, which makes it one of the best healthy snacks ideas post-workout. 

A Yummy Yogurt Parfait

Yogurt parfaits are one of my favorite healthy snack ideas because they take about two minutes to make, are filled with so many good nutrients, and taste delicious. I use Siggi’s yogurt because it has a lot of protein (15 grams per serving) and tastes like ice cream (yum!). Then, I add some granola for a healthy carb and fruit for extra nutrients and sweetness. Blueberries are my go-to fruit, but you can seriously put any type of fruit in this parfait, and it would taste amazing. Check out this post for how I make this healthy snack!

An Awesome Acai Bowl 

An acai bowl sounds super fancy and hard to make–like it’s only something you can get at a super expensive juicery. But they are actually really easy to make. The base of an acai bowl is essentially a thick smoothie made from frozen acai berries (or any other type of fruit you want). Then, load your bowl with a variety of toppings. Acai bowls are great because you can get all of the nutrients you need packed into one snack. Add fresh fruit and granola for a healthy carbohydrate, crushed nuts and/or a scoop of your favorite nut butter for healthy fats and protein, and top it off with a drizzle of honey for added sweetness. I always add a scoop of protein powder to my bowls, which you can see here. 

A PB-and-B Snack

There’s so much you can do with bananas and peanut butter (or whatever type of nut butter you like best). Of course, you can just eat the two together with nothing else. However, when I need a bit more substance, I like to spread peanut butter and sliced banana on top of a rice cake or a toasted slice of Dave’s Killer Bread (No, you don’t have to cut bread out of your diet to achieve your fitness goals. Yes, there really is bread out there that’s good for you.)

More Healthy Snack Ideas to Try

Having helped hundreds of women start their fitness journey, I know one of the hardest parts is finding the right foods to eat that you still enjoy. However, just because you’re eating healthy doesn’t mean you can’t have fun with it. From tortilla chips and salsa to avocado toast to apple pie muffins and oatmeal pancakes, there are seriously so many healthy snacks that taste good and are good for you. You can check out all of my favorite recipes here and follow me on Instagram for quick and easy snack ideas that help you build the strong, confident body you’ve always wanted. 

Psst… don’t forget to take advantage of $50 off your order at Thistle and get healthy snacks, lunches, and dinners to help you achieve your fitness goals!