Healthy diet snacks recipes

Confession time: I’m a snacker. I’m notorious for snacking throughout the day, which often leads to me feeling full after my first bite of dinner. As much as I love to chow down on a giant crunchy salad or treat myself to a burger and fries (for a cheat meal, of course), I could also probably live off snacks. Eating tiny meals opens the doors to eating a ton of different kinds of food and a multitude of flavors. Plus, bite-sized foods are adorable.

Although snacks can get a bad rap for being sugary, salty, empty calories, they really don’t have to be unhealthy. Carrots and hummus are a popular snack duo that provide protein and easily fill a part of your veggie quota for the day. It might take some planning and preparation to stay on the path of healthy snacking, but that’s what Meal Prep Mondays are for (or whichever day you meal prep). That’s right, meal prep isn’t just about lunches and dinners. Snacks are in the spotlight this week.

The possibilities for pre-prepped snacks are nearly endless, so here are some ideas to get you started!

1. Bananas and peanut butter are a match made in snack heaven. These banana bites from @begoochie are a little sweet, a little salty, and have a whole lot of potassium and protein. Despite their small size, they’ll give you a huge burst of energy to keep going.

3. Popcorn is one of those snacks that some people just can’t go a day without having. It’s easy to munch on, it can be salty or sweet, it’s light, and this whole grain can actually be extremely healthy! But there’s a catch: not all popcorn is healthy … and some of it is downright scary. It’s best to air-pop your own so you know exactly what’s in it, and don’t have to wonder about mystery ingredients lurking in the “butter.” Homemade popcorn is quick and easy to make, and is totally customizable. Find a few ideas here.

4. Sure, you might have tried your hand at making spaghetti squash pasta. But those seeds you threw away? You can eat those too! Just like pumpkin seeds, all squash seeds can be roasted to crunchy perfection. These spaghetti squash seeds from @d3annaaa are a great way to use the whole squash and make a perfectly delightful snack. If you need some inspiration for roasting seeds, check out this recipe.