While snacking may be tasty and satisfying, it’s a great way to gain weight if you’re not careful. Furthermore, the wrong snacks don’t fill you up with the vitamins you need to get through the day. If you have a hectic morning like two-thirds of all my mornings, you know how hard it is to prepare to eat well for the rest of the day. The right snacks can give you energy when you need it and keep you full, without making your figure fuller.

Many people make the mistake of thinking a healthy snack has zero fat. The reason this isn’t true is that with no fat or protein, snacks aren’t filling. They can make you susceptible to craving junk in addition to your healthy snack. That’s why getting as many nutrients as possible from a healthy snack is the best thing for you.

Even if you’re in a hurry, try these 5 healthy snacks that taste great, give you the energy you need during the busy day, and might even help you lose weight.

 

1. Nuts

 

 

 

 

 

 

For a lot of nutritionists, nuts are the number one healthy snack recommendation because of their many benefits. Nuts are healthy, taste great, fill you up, and are easy to take on the go. They’re also packed with healthy fats that help you reduce your risk of cancer and heart disease, lift your mood, and as long as you eat them in reasonable servings, they can even help you lose weight.

If you like the taste of nuts, almonds are the best health choice. In addition to supplying you with fiber and protein, almonds are loaded with anti-oxidants, vitamin E, Magnesium, and Manganese.

Cashews are another healthy nut. They are also rich in anti-oxidants and vitamins such as A, D, E, and K.

 

2. Yogurt

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yogurt is packed with flavor and nutrients, especially if you add to it. Even by itself, it makes a great healthy snack for people on the go. It’s the easiest way to get calcium, protein, and potassium all at once. Greek yogurt also contains probiotics, which help with digestion and immune system regulation.

If you have a little extra time, add some granola and berries for even more flavor and nutrients. I always have blueberries on hand to make my yogurt more enticing, both as a healthy snack or even as a quick lunch.

 

3. Cottage cheese

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cottage cheese is another great healthy snack that contains enough protein to fill you up. Buy full-fat cottage cheese to get the full benefits of its fatty acids and vitamins. Remember that healthy bodies need good fats to regulate the bad.

I would recommend topping your cottage cheese with flax seeds, cinnamon, or both to get some added benefits and make it taste better too. They both help control blood sugar and improve digestion.

 

4. Green apples and cashew butter

 

 

 

 

 

 

Green apples are a an amazing snack. They’re rich in fiber so they get your digestion going. They have antioxidant properties that can even reduce your risk of heart disease. Finally, they taste great so they’re easy to pick up and snack on during the day.

Eating them with cashew butter is even better – not only is it an amazing taste combination,  but cashew butter is loaded with nutrients like magnesium, protein, iron, selenium, and the good fats: monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats to help lower your cholesterol.

The best snacks are healthy, tasty, and filling. Green apple slices dipped in cashew butter tick all the right boxes and is one of my all time favorites!

 

5. Dark chocolate

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sometimes, you just want some dessert. Chocolate may not seem like the healthiest snack in the world, but it can be beneficial in moderation. You just have to choose the right chocolate.

Dark chocolate that’s at least 70% cacao has a lot of health benefits, including lowering blood pressure. It’s high in magnesium too. The fact that it tastes amazing makes it an enticing snack any day and the health benefits mean you don’t have to feel guilty. Mix it with almonds for a filling and nutritious alternative to plain snack mixes.

 

The Takeaway

Healthy snacks that taste great aren’t always readily available in a culture that prioritizes sugars and fats in everything we eat. However, you can keep these 5 snacks on hand to stay healthy while also keeping full during your busy day. The fact that they also taste great is more than a bonus: it will be your main motivation to keep eating them instead of reaching for something sugary when there’s nothing else around.