Making smart snacking choices can make a big impact on your health. Here are some simple tips to help you make healthier snack choices.

Fill Up On Fiber

Fiber rich foods help promote digestion and heart health. Eating fiber rich snacks like whole grain crackers, popcorn, fruits, veggies, beans, seeds or nuts will fill you up and keep you feeling full between meals. Pair your favorite nut butter with apples or pears. Choose hummus as a dipper for your carrots or cucumbers.

Pick Up Some Protein

Protein is responsible for building muscles and maintaining tissues in the body but also provides the feeling of being full after eating. Protein comes from several sources such as meat, cheese, eggs, fish and plant-based proteins such as beans, legumes, nuts, seeds and certain whole grains. Focus on including lean proteins like jerky sticks, hard boiled eggs or string cheese for a protein rich snack to keep you satisfied until your next meal.

Focus on Healthy Fats

Fat is essential to the diet and makes snacks more memorable and satisfying with enticing flavors and aromas. Focus on snacks that contain heart healthy fats like nuts, seeds and avocados. Snack on a handful of nuts like almonds or pistachios or make an avocado mash to spread on whole grain crackers or as a dipper for mini bell peppers or cherry tomatoes.

Your Best Mix

Trail mix, that is! Trail mixes are meant to come in a variety of colors, textures and flavors to fit our every mood and activity. Not sure where to start? Think outside the box and build your own trail mix using one (or more) options from each of these four categories: crunchy, chewy, sweet and savory.

Crunchy

Pretzels, popcorn and cereal are classic standbys but have you tried fruits and vegetables? Freeze-dried and dehydrated, that is. These dried fruits and veggies make the perfect fuel because they’re flavorful, shelf-stable and contain fiber and important nutrients to help fuel your activity!

Chewy

Raisins are trail mix no-brainers, but don’t forget other chewy cousins like prunes, dates, cherries and mango. Another fun and kid-friendly alternative is to make homemade fruit leather.

Sweet

Milk chocolate, dark chocolate or white chocolate, you can’t go wrong. That said, dried pineapple and banana chips also lend natural sweetness, plus fiber, vitamins and minerals!

Savory

A savory component makes a good trail mix a great one. Pre-seasoned items like popcorn, chips or crackers will lend a savory note to your trail mix.