18 Of The Best Healthy Snack Ideas
August 18, 2017 - Updated October 3, 2023
A snack break isn’t just an opportunity for a delicious bite between meals, but an opportunity to add more nutrients to your day and to give you a little energy boost. Having a supply of easy, healthy snacks at hand can also help you fight off hunger between meals.
Best healthy snack ideas
Whether you work from home, are always on the go or need to take your morning tea into the office, most of us are looking for snack inspo that’s quick, easy to prepare, nutritious and delicious. We’ve done the hard work for you and found 18 of the best healthy snack ideas to keep you going!
1. Toast with avocado, tomato and basil
A classic combination that you can quickly prepare in the kitchen at home or at work! Simply toast some wholemeal, sourdough or whole grain bread, then top it with some avocado, sliced tomato and a garnish of fresh basil. It looks great and tastes even better.
2. Rice cakes with toppings
If you love your toppings but want a lighter substitute to bread (or one that doesn’t require cooking) try rice or corn cakes instead! They can be made sweet or savoury with a range of different toppings and are also great options for those who are gluten-free. You could try:
Hummus or bean dips (sliced cucumber, radish or tomato is a nice addition!)
Nut butter and fruit
Avocado with tomato, tuna or boiled eggs
Greek yoghurt and berries
Cottage cheese or ricotta and fruit
3. Chia pudding
If your snack cravings are usually on the sweet side, try prepping a chia pudding in advance for a nutrient-dense snack that is high in protein and fibre! The recipe below makes two servings, and you will need a container or jars to store them in the fridge.
Ingredients:
250ml almond milk or milk of choice
2 tbsp chia seeds
2 tsp honey
A pinch of ground cinnamon
Mix the chia seeds with the milk, honey and cinnamon until it is well combined. Pop the mixture into your container or jar and place in the fridge overnight. In the morning, grab some fruit to top the pudding with and add this in when you’re ready to snack! A banana, a handful of berries or sliced mango all make great toppings.
4. Sweet potato toppers
Sweet potatoes are another delicious base option for toppings, and they’re packed with nutrients. Simply slice a washed, medium sweet potato into long slices or rounds and bake or air-fry until the slices are starting to soften. Like toast or rice cakes, you can top with things like nut butter, eggs, ricotta, fruit, or avocado.
5. Bliss balls
When it comes to making your own healthy snacks (or trying to find something quickly in the supermarket), it’s hard to beat bliss balls. By changing one or two ingredients, you can have different flavours every week! If you’re wondering where to start when it comes to making your own bliss balls, we’ve shared some of our fave bliss ball flavour combinations here.
6. Smoothie
Smoothies can make a great breakfast or a snack, especially if you want something you can take with you on the go. There are plenty of healthy smoothie recipe combinations, but one of the classics you can’t go past is banana-choc-nut!
Choc-nut banana smoothie ingredients:
1 medium banana, chopped (fresh or frozen)
1 tbsp natural nut butter
250ml milk of choice
1 tbsp cacao powder
Put the ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. Enjoy your smoothie on its own or top with a sprinkle of granola if you’re after something more substantial!
7. Veggie sticks with hummus or guacamole
Slice your favourite vegetables such as capsicum, cucumber or carrot into sticks and dip them into hummus or bean dip for a dose of energy, nutrients, fibre and protein.
8. Fresh fruit with nut butter
Quick, fresh and easy all get a big tick with this snack, not to mention a delicious combo of carbs, fats and protein. Banana with peanut or almond butter is an obvious choice, but apple, pear and strawberries are also just as delicious.
9. Trail mix or muesli bars
Similar to bliss balls, trail mix and muesli bars are something you can buy premade or make yourself. If you’re buying a store-bought option, check the ingredients and try to keep the sugar and additives to a minimum.
10. Yoghurt
Yoghurt is a delicious, high-protein snack and source of healthy probiotics. You can now buy high-protein yoghurts or mix protein powder into yoghurt for a pudding-like snack. A sprinkle of fresh fruit or dark chocolate is also a winning yoghurt combo.
11. Roasted chickpeas
Craving something crunchy? Try making your own roasted chickpeas in the oven or air fryer! The most basic recipe is to roast them with a touch of olive oil and salt, but there are plenty of delicious seasonings you can add for more flavour or spice.
12. Popcorn
Pop your own at home or pop into a supermarket for a fast, ready-to-go snack. Popcorn can also be made savoury with seasoning like salt and vinegar, curry powder or nutritional yeast, or sweet with coconut sugar, vanilla powder, dark chocolate or cinnamon.
13. Beef jerky
High in protein and several nutrients such as iron and zinc, beef jerky is a tasty snack option that needs no prep and can be kept in your bag all day. Because beef jerky is high in sodium, this is one snack best to consume in moderation.
14. Edamame
Edamame beans are simple to cook and a rich source of vitamins, protein and fibre, meaning they’ll keep you fuller for longer. Garnish with a sprinkle of sea salt, or try other seasonings like soy sauce or chilli flakes.
15. Mozarella and tomatoes
If you’re after fresh Italian flavours, you can’t go wrong with this delicious and nutritious combination. Some fresh basil or balsamic drizzle are also a tasty addition.
16. Air fryer veggies
Make ‘em fresh and hot or batch prep a big container for the week - whatever works for you! Starchy vegetables like potatoes, pumpkin, beetroot and sweet potato are all delicious but don’t be afraid to branch out. Asparagus, zucchini, eggplant, capsicums, mushrooms, cauliflower, broccoli… so many amazing veggies can be air-fried.
17. Eggs your way
Increase your protein intake with a couple of eggs, however you like them. Hardboiled, softboiled, scrambled, poached, sunny side up or cooked into an omelette. At any time of day, eggs make a versatile and nutritious snack.
18. Savoury muffins
Equally eggy and delicious, with just a little more prep required, savoury muffins are a satisfying snack you can keep in the freezer. They’re also a great way to clear out your fridge and use up any leftover veggies!
Feel your best by having healthy snacks ready to go
Leading a healthy lifestyle doesn’t mean you have to go without delicious snacks! In the Sweat app, we include a range of snack ideas to help you stay physically and mentally fuelled throughout the day. Whether you need an afternoon pick-me-up, something to keep you going until lunchtime, or a pre-workout boost, give these snacks a try!
A more empowered you starts with Sweat, and our editorial team is here to bring you the latest fitness tips, trainer recommendations, wellbeing news, nutritional advice, nourishing recipes and free workouts.
* Disclaimer: This blog post is not intended to replace the advice of a medical professional. The above information should not be used to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or medical condition. Please consult your doctor before making any changes to your diet, sleep methods, daily activity, or fitness routine. Sweat assumes no responsibility for any personal injury or damage sustained by any recommendations, opinions, or advice given in this article.
Nutrition