Are you looking for healthy snacking options? Well, this article has got you all covered with twenty-four easy, quick, and delightful snacks that offer less than 100 calories.
Snack is not just a food but an emotion for many. Whether hungry or not, snacking offers a different kind of pleasure that even a full-course meal cannot offer. There is something about those bite-size sweet and savory products that makes them perfect to eat anytime and anywhere you want. However, snacks are also one of the leading causes of health issues of obesity. So, should you give up on the idea of snacking?
Absolutely no. You can keep up with your hunger for snacking but make sure to use an alternative menu for snacking that is healthy, filling, and does not hampers your health even if consumed in the long run. If you want to keep up with healthy and tasty snacking options, here are the top 25 snacks you can have without any worries. Each of the following foods consists of 100 calories or less.
- Slow-Churned Ice Cream – 1/2 Cup
Yes, it can appear a little shocking for many as ice cream is a high-calorie dessert. However, if you are looking for slow-churned or double-churned varieties of ice cream then you do not have to worry about gaining a lot of calories. The churned ice creams consist of reduced fat and calories than regular ice creams yet offer that same creamy texture and an exciting taste. ½ cup of churned ice cream offers a total of 100 calories.
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Carbs: 15 g
- Sodium: 45 mg
- Cholesterol: 20 mg
- Microwaved Popcorn – 6 Cups
Popcorn is the best choice when you want to have a bigger portion but with fewer calories. Microwaved popcorn is best for this purpose and offers nearly 100 calories through a 6-cup portion. According to Joan Salge Blake, a spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, “You have to chew it, so it’s satisfying. ” It is also full of fiber which helps to keep your system clear.
Saturated Fat: 0.5
Sodium: 220 mg
Carbs: 24 g
Fiber: 6g
- Cottage Cheese and Cantaloupe
Cottage cheese is a powerhouse for protein yet does not add too many calories to your food. ½ cup of cottage cheese can over you 14 grams of protein. Have it with a generous slice of a Cantaloupe which can offer you a whopping 100 calories and a tasty snack.
- Saturated Fat: 0.7 g
- Sodium: 468 mg
- Cholesterol: 5 mg
- Crackers With Cheese – 3 Cookies
Whole grain crackers are a classic snack that is a favorite of many. It is heavy and full of fibers which makes you less hungry and keeps your system clear. Complementing it with cheese slices can help to add a little protein and calcium to it, making it even more tasty and healthy at the same time. Having three crackers I enough for snacking once.
- Saturated Fat: 1.2 g
- Sodium: 397 mg
- Cholesterol: 7 mg
- Almonds – 14 Nuts
The paramount importance of almonds is known to most health-conscious individuals as they offer a big punch of energy. It offers an ample amount of calories through each nut and having 14 of them can help you gain 100 calories instantly. Rich in fiber and protein, you can have this snack anytime you feel like it, while you are stuck in traffic or in a long queue.
- Saturated Fat: 0.63 g
- Sodium: 0 mg
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
- Whole-Grain Pretzel – 6 Sticks
As a lot of people are allergic to nuts, they can find a unique alternative choice for snacking and that is pretzels. Whole-grain pretzel sticks are great as an instant snack and having 6 of them can help you gain around 100 calories. This snack is completely free of cholesterol-triggering elements and also low in fat and sugar. It can offer up to 3 g of fiber; making it the perfect and healthiest choice for everyone.
- Saturated Fat: 0.4g
- Sodium: 257mg
- Baked Apple
“An apple every day keeps a doctor away”. This famous saying is perhaps true as an apple is still one of the healthiest snack choices you can have. While you can always bite away a raw apple directly, you can add a twist to it by baking. Baked apples are tastier and offer a desert-like feeling while keeping their fundamental nutritious value intact. Sprinkle a little cinnamon powder on the top and enjoy this quick dessert, loaded with vitamins, fiber, and iron. There is no saturated fat or cholesterol in it.
- Sodium: 2 mg
- Cheese-stuffed pita Pocket
The satisfaction of biting on a loaded sandwich is truly amazing and Cheese-Stuffed Pita Pockets can offer you that gracefully. Make sure to use a whole-grain pita pocket and stuff it with 1/2 ounce part-skim ricotta cheese. This delicious snack offers a blend of fiber and protein with each bite.
- Saturated Fat: 0.8 g
- Sodium: 149 mg
- Cholesterol: 4 mg
- Blueberry Smoothie
A fruit smoothie will never disappoint you especially when it is made from blueberry. This smoothie is comprised of extra calcium and antioxidants which can help you stay energized throughout the day. The recipe requires nothing but 2/3 cup of frozen blueberries along with 1/3 cup of non-fat yogurt, And Voila, You are done! Pour it and drink this heavy smoothie slowly.
- Sodium: 59 mg
- Cholesterol: 2 mg
- Edamame – 1/3 Cup
Edamame is the other name for young soybeans which is considered to be a healthy snack. Half a cup of edamame can offer you more than 4 grams of fiber and 8 grams of protein. This snack option can keep filled for a long time and also completes a 10% quota for your daily iron intake. The best part is that it is a ready-made product that you can have on the run.
- Saturated Fat: 0.5 g
- Sodium: 4.5 mg
- Frozen Mango Cubes – 3/4 Cup
Mango is the king of fruits and there is no better way than having it ripe and raw. Mango includes beta-carotene and fiber which makes it not only tasty but very healthy as well. Having 3/4 Cup of frozen mango cubes can offer you around 90 calories along with a huge amount of vitamin C which fulfills 60% of your daily needs. There is no saturated fat or cholesterol in it.
- Baby Carrots with Hummus – 8 Pcs
Carrots are excellent as snacks and also the best source of beta-carotene and Vitamin A. On the other hand, hummus can offer you a punch of protein with chickpeas. Have 8 pre-packaged baby carrots with two tablespoons of hummus and you will have a delightful snack. You can also find different varieties of hummus in the market.
- Saturated fat: 0.4 g
- Sodium: 210 mg
- Apple Slices With Peanut Butter
As mentioned before, apple is the best snack that you can have any time you want. To satisfy the taste of sweet and savory, you can have 3/4 cup of apple slices with a thin layer of peanut butter on the top for each slice. This snack is easy, healthy, and can offer you around 90 calories. Don’t get too greedy over the peanut butter as it carries the most calories.
- Saturated fat: 0.8 g
- Sodium: 2 mg
- Yogurt With Sunflower Seeds
Non-fat plain yogurts are the best and healthiest snack that you can have directly or can complement with other food. Its creamy texture can be easily blended with any ingredient. On the other hand, sunflower seeds are also quite healthy for everyone. You can add plenty of seeds yet it will only add 19 to 20 calories in total.
- Saturated Fat: 0.26 g
- Nonfat Greek Yogurt with Honey
When it comes to yogurt, Greek yogurt is most preferred due to its extra creamy texture and high protein content. Half a cup of non-fat plain Greek yogurt can offer you around 12 grams of protein. Make sure to add one tablespoon of honey to it which makes it a filling snack with a total of 84 calories. It is just like dessert which can tantalize your taste buds.
- Sodium: 53.5 mg
- Half a Baked Potato with Salsa
baked potato is liked by many when there is ample topping on it and since you cannot have a lot of cheese it, ‘s time to add some spicy salsa to it. Half of a medium-sized baked potato can offer you up to 80 calories. Don’t make the same mistake of removing the peel as it contains a pack full of nutrients. Add a heaping tablespoon of tasty salsa in it to spice things up. This tasty snack can offer you 100 calories.
- Sodium: 124 mg
- Frozen Yogurt Sandwich
Non-fat frozen yogurt is just like ice cream but a healthy alternative. You can find plenty of flavorful varieties with no added sugar. Add two tablespoons of your favorite frozen yogurt between two graham cracker squares. This is a great alternative to the usual ice cream sandwich and can offer you up to 84 calories in total.
- Saturated Fat: 0.13 g
- Sodium: 104 mg
- Cholesterol: 1 mg
- Pistachios – 20 Nuts
When it comes to nuts, pistachios are actually quite great but a lot of people are afraid of the high fat content. However, it is only unsaturated or “good” fat that does not harm your body. If you have around 20 Pistachios, it will give you around 80 calories or even less. These nuts are enriched in protein, fiber, and a handful of key vitamins along with minerals. You can easily eat them raw or roasted.
- Saturated Fat: 0.8 g
- Frozen Banana Pop
If you are looking for a creative way to put more fruit into your healthy diet, banana pops are a must-have. It is pretty simple to make. Just peel the bananas and cut them in half and add a popsicle stick to it. Cover it with non-fat frozen yogurt and you have got yourself a delightful dessert. Make sure to put them in the freezer and eat them cold on summer days. A pop can offer you around 80 calories and a lot of happiness.
- Saturated fat: 0.35 g
- Sodium: 3 mg
- Cholesterol: 7 mg
- Tomato Soup – 1 Cup
Tomato soup is a classic snack that is considered to be the best immunity booster. It is full of disease-fighting nutrients and having one cup of this soup can offer you around 74 calories. You can find many varieties of tomato soups in the market. So, make sure to buy only the “low sodium” ones in case you are buying canned products.
- Saturated Fat: 0.19 g
- Sodium: 471 mg
- Dry Oat Squares Cereal – 1/3 Cup
In case you are a cereal fan, here is a tasty option for you where no milk is required. It is low low-calorie snack that you can have any time. Having 1/3 cup dry oat squares cereal will make you around 70 calories only. You can easily keep this dry snack in your car or workplace and treat it as munchies. Don’t go for the sweetened varieties that contain a lot of added sugar.
- Saturated fat: 0.17 g
- Sodium: 83 mg
- Grapes – 1 Cup
Grapes are great snacks and an amazing fruit without any seeds. It is bite-sized and sweet which makes it perfect for snacking at any time. A cup full of grapes can offer you a total of 1000 calories and since it’s juicy, it can also help you keep hydrated. It is also a great source of vitamin K and manganese which is highly important for good eye health.
- Saturated Fat: 0.1 g
- Sodium: 2 mg
- Smoked Salmon Pinwheel
If you are a fish lover and looking for a quick snacking option, Smoked Salmon Pinwheel is the best thing you can have. It offers around 60 calories and is highly delicious as the main ingredients are cream cheese and smoked salmon slices. It is protein protein-rich snack that can keep your heart healthy with omega-3 fatty acids.
- Saturated Fat: 1.6 g
- Sodium: 495 mg
- Cholesterol: 13 mg
- Jicama Sticks and Salsa – 1 Cup
Jicama is a root veggie that is very low in calories however for the body. You can simply cut them like pieces of french fries and dip them into the salsa to have a flavorful kick. It is tasty and you can much one cup full of them at a single go. Yet, one cup of Jicama will offer you 54 calories only.
- Saturated Fat: 0.03 g
- Sodium: 235 mg
Final Thoughts
Do not eat 100-calorie packs of cookies or any other snack which are basically flour or saturated fat. These snacks are not just low in calories but also low in nutrients. Eat only fresh food which is more nutritious.
