Nibbles; Appetizers; Healthy eating - healthy snacks; Weight loss - healthy snacks; Healthy diet - healthy snacks; Wellness - healthy snacks
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:
Here are a dozen healthy snack ideas you can try:
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.
BACK TO TOPReview Date: 5/14/2024
Reviewed By: Stefania Manetti, RDN, CDCES, RYT200, My Vita Sana LLC - Nourish and heal through food, San Jose, CA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
![]() Health Content Provider
06/01/2025
|
A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, for Health Content Provider (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is an independent audit to verify that A.D.A.M. follows rigorous standards of quality and accountability. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s editorial policy, editorial process and privacy policy. A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics. This site complied with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information from 1995 to 2022, after which HON (Health On the Net, a not-for-profit organization that promoted transparent and reliable health information online) was discontinued. |
The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. © 1997- 2025 A.D.A.M., a business unit of Ebix, Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.