Healthy snacks to eat when you get the munchies

Jenna Appel, MS, RD, LDN, CDCES is a Registered Dietitian and Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist who owns and operates Appel Nutrition Inc out of Florida. When it comes to choosing a healthier option for the munchies Jenna says the first thing you should do is read the back of the nutrition label. 

“Avoid snacks with refined sugar,” starts Jenna, “Snacks like pre-packaged pastries, cookies, and granola bars,” says Jenna. “When possible, opt for whole foods such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.”

My go-to high snack these days are carrots or baby peppers dipped in Field + Farmer’s Caramelized Onion Party Dip. As a lactose intolerant individual, I know the frustration that comes along with finding a dairy-free dip that doesn’t taste like plastic, but this stuff is incredible. Try the Buffalo dip over chicken breast for a creamy snack that tastes a lot better than it sounds described in an article. 

If you’re on the lookout for a solid on-the-go snack you can take with you on a mid-day park blaze or long walk with a pack of Dogwalkers, Jenna points to sustainability and nutrition-minded brands along the lines of Eaton Hemp, Siete, Lesserevil, and Perfect Bars for taste without the terrible ingredients. 

Cory Ruth is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, Women’s Health Expert, and the CEO of The Women’s Dietitian whose recommendations for healthy-ish snacks honestly rival the snacks some of us eat when we’re not high. 

“Whisps are crunchy cheese crackers that offer satiating protein with the ability to remedy a serious chip-craving,” says Cory. “Skinny Dipped Almonds are almonds enveloped in rich chocolate that tastes way more sinful than they really are – oh, and roasted chickpeas are kind of like snacking on a handful of chips but full of protein and fiber. Cory and I are both huge fans of the those Everything Bagel flavored Bada Bean Bada Boom snacks as well as these low-sugar, high-protein GFB Gluten Free Protein Bites.