The Best Easy and Dietitian Approved Snacks

Having a list of your favorite healthy snack ideas on hand is a productive way to eat more of what you like, and to easily grab a nourishing bite that will give you the energy you need to keep going. This list of easy and dietitian approved snacks will do just that.

This post was created in partnership with Dannon Light & Fit. I have been compensated for my
time commitment. However, my opinions are entirely my own and I have not been paid to publish positive comments.

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I’m the most inconsistent eater. Especially now that I work exclusively from home. I may start my work day, then have a late breakfast; or I may wake up early to do a shoot grab a quick breakfast, and then not eat until 3 pm; or I might just snack throughout the day. Just like work, my eating is anything but consistent. Some days I really need to eat more than 3x/day, others I eat just 3 meals and dessert. On days I need a little something extra, I gravitate toward snacks that are nourishing, energizing, delicious, and convenient. No time to make anything, I just want to grab it and go.

One thing I’ve realized on the days I plan my meals and snacks is that I tend to eat a wider variety of foods throughout the day. My meals and snacks also tend to be more delicious and interesting since there’s more to them. This helps my taste buds and body feel satisfied.

If you’re like me and need some easy snacks that you can keep nearby- I’ve got you covered. I like to have a couple of healthy snack ideas (and actual snacks) on-hand because I can then decide between my predetermined snack and something else. If my snack sounds good and is accessible, I’ll grab it, if I’m craving something else I’ll go get that. This approach allows me to honor my hunger and preferences while still having a go-to option for times I don’t care as much or don’t have the headspace to make a snack decision.

When putting snacks together, I’ve found that it’s best for me to include carbohydrate and protein. This combination increases my satiation and enjoyment of my snacks. They’re more interesting, delicious, and provide more of the nutrients my body needs to function well. And for anyone who is managing diabetes, or wants to manage their blood sugar levels, this is a smart way to eat.

My Favorite Healthy Snack Ideas

• Sliced cheese + piece of fruit
• Ants on a log (nut butter and dried fruit on a celery stick)
• Hardboiled egg + whole wheat crackers
• Dannon Light & Fit Original Greek yogurt + granola. I love these yogurts because they’re easy to find, a good value, and they taste delicious.
• Trail mix
• Peanut butter + apple/banana (plus dark chocolate chips for something sweet)
• Granola bar
• Air-popped popcorn + mixed nuts
• Cottage cheese + whole wheat crackers or cucumbers

How Dannon Light & Fit fits into my lifestyle

I’ve been a yogurt fan for a long time. The texture, the flavors, and the nutritional composition
make yogurt a great choice for me. The 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans
recommend increasing intake of nutrient-dense foods, such as fat-free or low-fat dairy products,
like yogurt. Yogurt is nutrient-dense and many yogurts are a good source of protein and calcium. Greek yogurts typically contain more protein than regular yogurts.

While I don’t only recommend fat-free or low-fat dairy products to every client or audience, I like
Dannon Light & Fit yogurts because they’re satisfyingly delicious and widely available. Healthy choices don’t have to be boring. With a balanced variety of delicious choices, Dannon Light & Fit has great options that also fit your active lifestyle. I particularly love grabbing a Dannon Light & Fit Original Greek Nonfat yogurt if I start to get hungry before a workout because my stomach tolerates it and at under 100 calories, my body can use the energy I get from it without getting too full and feeling sluggish while moving. I mean, feeling sick while participating in your favorite activity is the worst! The combination of carbs, protein, flavor, and convenience in Dannon Light & Fit Original Greek yogurt makes it a perfect pre-workout snack. Food is not only to be enjoyed, but it’s functional. Properly fueling for your favorite way to move will allow your body to feel good and to enjoy moving. It takes practice and experimentation, but you can easily find the foods that work for you.

How it’ll make your life easier

Like I said, Dannon Light & Fit yogurts are a delicious and easy snack. The calcium is a nutrient we can consume more of, and the added staying power of the protein in yogurt is a bonus.

Although I work to help my clients move away from dieting, following a particular eating pattern may help manage health conditions. Yogurt is a delicious and nutrient dense food that fit within a variety of eating patterns. Approaching this in a way to enhance wellbeing and to make life easier, is important to avoid deprivation, guilt, and shame.

Make sure to follow @LightandFit on Instagram for more delicious yogurt inspiration

• How about you, what are your favorite convenient snacks?