Best Healthy Snacks | Best Keto Snacks | Best Gluten-Free Snacks | Best Healthy Snacks to Buy | Best Running Snacks | Best Low-Calorie Snacks | Best High-Protein Snacks | Best Low-Carb Snacks | Best Vegan Snacks | Best Calorie Counter Apps
If you're watching your calorie intake, you may think that snacks are off the table. This may be because snacking is often associated with "cheating." However, studies show consuming fibrous, protein-packed, snacks may help you feel satiated throughout the day. In turn, this could mean that you take in less calories at your meals and avoid overindulging.
Even though snacks can help us from overeating, it's still important to watch the calories. Therefore, we've compiled a list of some of our favorite low-calorie snacks that help power us through the day without weighing us down.
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Low-Calorie Snacks - Our Top Picks
- Annie Chun’s Roasted Seaweed
- Mamma Chia Organic Vitality Squeeze Snack
- Snacklins Plant Based Crisps
- Mavuno Harvest Dried Pineapple Snacks
- Fresh Gourmet Crispy Jalapenos
- Organic Blueberries
- Skinny Pop Popcorn
- SmartSweets Peach Rings
- Pearls Classic Hummus
- Good Health Pretzels
- 365 Whole Foods Carrot Sticks
- Good Culture Cottage Cheese
- Blue Diamond Oven Roasted Dark Chocolate Almonds
- Brami Keto Lupini Bean Dip
- Old Wisconsin Turkey Sausage Snacks
What to Look for When Shopping for Low-Calorie Snacks
For a snack to qualify as low in calories, it shouldn't be more than 200 calories. However, since all calories aren't created equally, there are additional nutritional guidelines that you should take into account to make a snack worthwhile.
Your svelte snacks should contain less than 8 grams of sugar as too much sugar can lead to weight gain. Additionally, try to steer clear of artificial sweeteners as those are known to ramp up your sweet tooth. To keep your blood sugar from bottoming out throughout the day, seek snacks that have at least three grams of fiber. Sodium is another ingredient that you'll want to be mindful of when selecting your snacks. This is because sodium makes you retain water and doesn't promote good heart health.
The Benefits of Low-Calorie Snacks
According to Martha Gonzalez, RD, LD, CLC, some low-calorie snacks can actually improve your diet by helping you consume the recommended amount of nutrients and healthy food groups such as fruits and vegetables. By choosing the right low-calorie snacks, you can sustain and even boost your energy levels, helping you recover from exercise or other strenuous activities. Additionally, keeping nutritious, low-calorie snacks readily available can prevent you from grabbing junk food that can add to weight gain and offers little in the way of nutrition.
Annie Chun’s Roasted Seaweed
Craving the satisfying crunch of chips? Annie Chun's Roasted Seaweed is a tasty, low-calorie alternative to chips. These roasted bites are flavorful and provide a must-have when it comes to snacking—crunch appeal. With only 30 calories per serving and packaged in a convenient tray, these are a handy pick-me-up snack. In addition to being low in calories, they're also suitable for vegans.
Mamma Chia Organic Vitality Squeeze Snack
Snacks often need to be consumed on the go which can make it easy to consume mindless calories if you're not careful. However, with Mama Chia Organic Vitality Squeeze Snacks, you get a delicious snack that you can pack in purses, gym bags and backpacks. These 70-calorie pouches are made with organic chia seeds and infused with fruits and vegetables, making them a powerhouse portable nibble for a busy lifestyle.
Snacklins Plant Based Crisps
When you name yourself Snacklins, you better bring the heat to the nom nom's game. And, these low calorie, plant-based crisps do just that. Snacklins use all-natural ingredients such as mushrooms, onions, and yucca that create a unique savory experience. Also, an entire bag is only 90 calories, meaning you can board the snack train without worrying about derailing your diet.
Mavuno Harvest Dried Pineapple Snacks
As delicious as fresh pineapple is, it's not always the easiest snack to prepare or eat. However, Mavuno Harvest Dried Pineapple Snacks bring the sweet satisfaction of this delectable snack to an easy-to-pack snack bag. These dried pineapple chunks are full of fiber, potassium, and vitamin C. Plus, they come in at just 200 calories a serving, making them as easy on your waistline as they are on your tastebuds.
Fresh Gourmet Crispy Jalapenos
When it's time to spice up your munch mates, add these crispy, lightly salted jalapeno snacks to your rotation. At only 40 calories per serving, they make a great addition to tacos, burgers, wraps, and more. They're also a crunchy treat on their own.
Organic Blueberries
Organic Blueberries are one of the healthiest fruits you can reach for when you're having a snack attack. Blueberries are rich in antioxidants which help lower stress levels, and they can also help manage cholesterol levels. A standard serving is around 3/4 of a cup and contains around 65 calories. These fantastic fruits are also chock full of vitamins and nutrients.
Skinny Pop Popcorn
Don't let watching your calories keep you from enjoying your favorite movie night treat. Skinny Pop provides a low-calorie, fiber-filled, crunchy snack that can be enjoyed as you chill at home. Or, pack one of the handy 100-calorie individual bags to take with you so you don't have to worry about hunger setting in between meals.
SmartSweets Peach Rings
You may be a grown-up now, but that doesn't mean that you don't still crave candy sometimes. Unfortunately, that sweet treat rarely fits into a low-calorie lifestyle. Luckily, SmartSweets Peach Rings prove that you can have the delicious taste of candy without the added sugar and artificial sweeteners.
Pearls Classic Hummus
People from the Mediterranean know a thing or two about good diets. Therefore, you can’t go wrong with these individual packages that are great on the go were made in Greece. They are pantry safe (before opening) and will only add 95 calories to your daily total. Pearls Classic Hummus is organic certified with no additives or preservatives.
Good Health Pretzels
Made from whole grain brown rice and whole grain sorghum flour, Good Health Pretzels are not only a tasty low-calorie snack, they also provide a lot of dietary fiber. And, considering they're only 100 calories per serving, Good Health Pretzels are a solid choice when you need a quality nibble.
365 Whole Foods Carrot Sticks
Carrot sticks are an OG low-calorie snack food. Not only are they crunchy and a wonderful way to transport dips to your mouth, they're also loaded with fiber, potassium, beta carotene, and antioxidants. So, they can aid in weight loss while also improving eye health and lowering cholesterol.
Good Culture Cottage Cheese
It's a bonus when a snack is both light on the calorie front and packed with protein. That's why Good Culture Cottage Cheese is a snacking win-win. It's certified organic and is even yummier when mixed with your favorite fruits like peaches, strawberries, blackberries, and grapes. At 140 calories per serving, you'll find yourself reaching for the good stuff often.
Blue Diamond Oven Roasted Dark Chocolate Almonds
When nothing but chocolate will do, reach for these handy, 100-calorie travel packs of cocoa powder covered almond packs. These oven roasted chocolatey snacks can satisfy tough cravings, plus they're also high in protein and fiber. The single-serving packaging makes them easy to take along on your daily adventures.
Brami Keto Lupini Bean Dip
A play on hummus, Brami Keto Lupini Bean Dip offers a delicious lupini bean alternative to the traditional chickpeas. However, at only 50 calories per serving, it means that it has 20 percent fewer calories than standard hummus. Additionally, Brami Keto Lupini Bean Dip easily fits into vegan, keto, paleo, and gluten-free diets.
Old Wisconsin Turkey Sausage Snacks
Made with zero preservatives, Old Wisconsin Turkey Sausage Snacks are a low-calorie, high-protein snack choice that will hit the spot when you're going non-stop. The all-natural, seasoned, and smoked turkey meat is a delicious alternative to beef jerky. Additionally, it comes in a resealable package that makes for easy storage if you don't finish your snack in one sitting.
More Low-Calorie Snacks We Love
- Mario Camacho Pitted Snack Olives
- Raspberries
- Bare Granny Apple Fruit Snacks
- Creminelli Mini Salami Snacks
- Glutino Gluten-Free Prezel Sticks
- Celery
- Sunset Pepper Bell Tricolor
- Vital Farms Hard Boiled Eggs
- 365 Whole Foods Market String Cheese
- GimMe Organic Roasted Seaweed Sheets
FAQs About Low-Calorie Snacks
What snack has the lowest calories?
Raw vegetables have a low amount of calories per serving. Additionally, they're nutrient rich and provide a multitude of benefits. Other foods such as fruits, cottage cheese, almonds, and popcorn are also low in calories and offer some healthy benefits when consumed in proper quantities.
What snacks are filling but low in calories?
There are a host of snacks that can leave you feeling full without being high in calories. Some of these include greek yogurt, popcorn, eggs, oats, and berries. The more nutrient dense a food is, the more filling you'll find it.
What food contains 0 calories?
The only food that has zero calories is water. There are some snacks such as diet soft drinks and Jello, that technically have no calories, but considering they are often loaded with artificial sweeteners and sodium, which can have adverse effects on your diet, we don't consider those zero calorie. Raw vegetables like celery and carrots are low in calories but also a great source of vitamins and minerals.
What can I snack on without gaining weight?
The key to snacking without gaining weight is to be mindful of what you are eating. It's best to choose foods that are not just low-calorie but also have a combination of protein, fiber and a small amount of healthy fat. This helps you feel full. We recommend snacks like nuts, greek yogurt, hummus, grapes, and popcorn.
Best Healthy Snacks | Best Keto Snacks | Best Gluten-Free Snacks | Best Healthy Snacks to Buy | Best Running Snacks | Best Low-Calorie Snacks | Best High-Protein Snacks | Best Low-Carb Snacks | Best Vegan Snacks | Best Calorie Counter Apps
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