Creighton University

Which foods make the healthiest snacks?
If you are going to choose high sugar/fat snacks (foods from top of food guide pyramid), do so in moderation. This includes soda, chips, cookies, and fried foods.  One day of high sugar/high fat eating will not make or break your weight…it is consuming large amounts of these foods over a long period of time that will cause pounds to creep up.  Here are some suggestions for healthy snacking: 

• Whole grain cereal (cheerios) and milk (skim-1%)
• Fresh fruit or fruit juice
• Yogurt
• Peanut butter on wheat crackers
• Dried fruit and nut mix
• Raw vegetables with cottage cheese, yogurt, or low fat dressings
• Light microwave popcorn
• Baked chips-such as Baked Lays
• ½ Bagel with low fat cream cheese
• Low fat string cheese
• Sorbet
• Pretzels
• Top a microwave “baked” potato with salsa
• Steamed or raw veggies (try a ready-made veggie tray from the grocery store!); serve salad dressing or hummus on the side for dipping.
• Granola or granola bars
• Fruit salad
• Tossed garden salad
• Pita bread with hummus
• Rice cakes (they come flavored)
• pita or soy chips
• Fig bars
• Unsweetened apple sauce (add spices to enhance flavor; some come with flavors!)
• Sorbet or frozen yogurt
• Tuna packed in water (with light mayo and mustard if desired)
• Graham crackers
• Low-fat muffins
• Smoothies
• Fruit juices (100%) (try mixing with sparkling water)

Source: Office of Health Education, Wesleyan University