Caitlyn Bauer, MS, RD, LS, clinical dietitian, Parkview Noble Hospital, Parkview Noble Center for Healthy Living, shared that she chooses her snacks based on the nutrition facts on the food label.
“Healthy snacks are an easy, convenient way to pack in some extra nutrition,” she said. She suggests looking for options that include protein, dietary fiber, healthy fats and are low in added sugars.
Here are some of Caitlyn’s go-to snack selections:
- Dry roasted, lightly salted nuts, such as almonds cashews or peanuts
- Vegetable sticks, like carrots, cucumbers or sweet peppers, paired with hummus or single-serve guacamole
- Fresh or dried fruit like bananas, oranges or apples
- Whole grain crackers or pretzels
- Low-fat dairy, such as Greek yogurt, cottage cheese or a mozzarella cheese stick
- Lightly salted, lightly buttered popcorn
- Roasted chickpeas
- Homemade energy balls
- Dark chocolate square
- Sugar-free wafer cookie
- Shaved ice
For beverages, Caitlyn says you want to select drinks that promote hydration without added sugar, calories and preservatives that can spike sugar. She recommends:
- Unsweetened tea
- Sparkling water
For more nutrition inspiration, browse our Nutrition & Recipes section on the Parkview Dashboard.
