Snacks: are they helpful or detrimental to weight loss goals? Many of us have been told to avoid snacking when trying to lose weight, but snacking smart can actually benefit you on your journey. Below, we shared five of our favorite healthy and filling snack ideas to help you achieve your weight loss goals. Each tastes delicious and can be taken on the go!

The Case For Snacking to Achieve Weight Loss Goals

Choosing the right snacks can help achieve weight loss by preventing feelings of deprivation and preventing overeating at meals. Snacking also provides additional opportunities to meet nutrient needs.  However, if you find yourself mindlessly snacking non-stop, it may be time to take another look at your snack choices. So, what exactly counts as a nutritious snack?

Components of a Healthy Snack 

An optimal snack pairs fiber with protein or fat to provide adequate energy and fill you up until your next meal. Whole grains, fruits, and vegetables are rich in fiber- the part of the plant that our body cannot digest, creating a sense of fullness without contributing many calories. Snack portions should be smaller than meals to help refuel between mealtimes. With these components in mind, here are some of our picks for healthy snacks that are tasty, satisfying, and aid in weight loss:

Yummy Body’s Picks for the Best Snacks for Weight Loss

Cottage Cheese with Fruit 

Recipe Idea: Cottage Cheese and Fruit “Masonable”

Product Recommendation: Good Culture Cottage Cheese 

Why We Love It: Cottage cheese packs a punch nutrient-wise, delivering protein, fat, calcium, and B vitamins. Choose low-fat or fat-free cottage cheese and add fruit for natural sweetness and fiber. If you prefer to purchase a pre-prepared snack, Good Culture makes cottage cheeses with real fruit (strawberry chia or pineapple). Each container provides 15 grams of protein and 3 grams of fat with only 3 grams of sugar. 

Edamame

Recipe Idea: Easy Edamame Snack

Product Recommendation: Good and Gathered Frozen Organic Edamame 

Why we love it: Edamame is a great snack for weight loss because it provides an average of 18 grams of protein and 8 grams of fiber per serving, to keep you more than satisfied until your next meal. In less than 15 minutes, you can make an edamame snack, customized based on your spice tolerance and preference. If you find yourself eating snacks too quickly, you control your pace by purchasing edamame with the shell still on, This way, you will be forced to slow down and take each one out of the shell, preventing overeating. Shelled edamame can be found at almost any grocery store in the frozen section, making it a great freezer staple to always have healthy snacks on hand.

Frozen Greek Yogurt 

Recipe Idea: Frozen Yogurt Bark with Berries

Product Recommendation:  Yasso Greek Yogurt Bars

Why We Love It: If you’re craving something sweet but want to stick to your weight loss goals, look no further than frozen Greek yogurt.  This easy recipe features Greek yogurt, strawberries, blueberries, honey, and unsweetened coconut flakes and contains 6 grams of protein for under 100 calories per serving. If you prefer to purchase a pre-made snack, we recommend Yasso Greek Yogurt bars. These bars are a good source of calcium and contain 4-5 grams of protein, 8-12 grams of added sugar, and no saturated or trans fats. Additionally, these bars have under 100 calories and are available in a variety of flavors such as mint chocolate chip, sea salt caramel, fudge brownie, chocolate peanut butter chip, and more.

Roasted Chickpeas

Recipe Idea: ULTRA Crispy Air Fryer Chickpeas

Product Recommendation: Biena Chickpea Snacks 

Why We Love It: A half cup of chickpeas provides roughly 8 grams of protein and 7 grams of fiber for only 150 calories. Instead of eating them plain, try air-frying them with olive oil, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and cayenne for some heat! This crispy and delicious snack could easily be customized with different spice combinations.  If you prefer roasted chickpeas on the go, we suggest Biena Chickpea Snacks. They come in 6 different flavors: sea salt, honey roasted, ranch, everything, barbeque, and habanero. 

Greek Yogurt Ranch Dip with Raw Vegetables 

Recipe Idea: Easy Greek Yogurt Ranch Dip

Product Recommendation: Trader Joe’s Ranch Seasoning Blend

Why We Love It: Are you a ranch lover? Us too! There is no need to give up this delicious flavor when snacking. Enjoy this easy Greek yogurt ranch dressing dip with raw vegetables like sliced bell peppers, tomatoes, cucumbers, celery, or carrots. This snack combination provides protein and fiber to keep you full and happy, delivering 21 grams of protein per serving. We suggest using Trader Joe’s Ranch Seasoning Blend in this recipe or simply adding it to any plain, non-fat Greek yogurt. Perfect for a game-day snack too!

Popcorn 

Recipe Idea: Homemade Stovetop Popcorn

Product Recommendation: Lesser Evil Popcorn 

Why We Love It: Popcorn lovers rejoice! This low-calorie snack contains both fiber (4.5 grams per serving) and protein (5 grams per serving) in a sizable 3 cup (popped) portion size.  Popcorn is fun and easy to make on your own; customize it with your favorite flavors such as cinnamon for sweetness, nutritional yeast for a savory taste, or cayenne for a kick! By making popcorn on the stovetop, you can use a healthier fat such as olive or coconut oil (we suggest coconut for a nice flavor) and control the quantity for portion control.  If you prefer to purchase this snack pre-popped, we recommend Lesser Evil Popcorn. This product is available in 6 different flavors including rotating seasonal flavors. We love that this product is full of fiber and antioxidants and is minimally processed (the original Himalayan sea salt flavor only has 3 ingredients: organic popcorn, extra-virgin coconut oil, and Himalayan pink salt!). Looking for help with portion control? This brand also sells individual 100-calorie bags.