When you’re working to improve your diet, meals aren’t the only opportunities to eat well. snacks They are also an important component of healthy nutrition. According to 2011 investigation, a whopping 25% of Americans’ daily calories come from snacks. With all that snacking between meals, it’s important to choose options that don’t derail your best dietary intentions.
A great place to stock up healthy snacks? Costco! Among the warehouse’s more indulgent offerings are healthy (and delicious) snacks like perfectly portioned low-sugar yogurts, whole-grain crunchy crackers, and clean-eating fruit bars.
As a nutritionist, I tell you to go to Costco for these six healthy snacks. And then check out these recommended dietitians Top 5 New Costco Foods to Buy.
The name says it all! That’s It’s Mini Fruit Bars are made from dried fruits like apples, strawberries, mangoes, and bananas, and that’s literally that. For anyone who has difficulty eating enough Fruit every day, these portable bars can help provide the fiber, antioxidants and micronutrients you need in a more convenient package than a slippery mango or juicy strawberries. Costco’s 24-pack features three flavors, each with just 60 calories.
If you feel the need for a little crunch in your life, check out Mary’s Gone Crackers Superseed Everything Crackers at Costco. They are made of healthy whole grains and seeds, including brown rice, quinoa, pumpkin seeds and sunflower seeds. Each serving comes with 3 grams of fiber and an amazing 5 grams of protein. These crunchy snacks aren’t even gluten-free, so the folks at GF can enjoy them as a solid vehicle for hummus or paired with a slice of cheese.
In my nutritionist opinion, nuts are a secret weapon to improve health. People who eat nuts regularly are more likely to live longer, have lower cholesterolY weigh less. Small but mighty foods are packed with critical micronutrients and healthy unsaturated fats, and are a great way to amplify your plant-based protein.
Go crazy at snack time with Kirkland Cashew Clusters with Almonds and Pumpkin Seeds from Costco. This mix of nuts and seeds is held together in popable bunches with a sprinkle of honey and cane sugar. Good news: the sweetener used here is not excessive. There are only 4 grams of sugar per serving.
What has only four ingredients and 20 calories per serving? Kirkland Organic Roasted Seaweed from Costco! These sesame-flavored snacks come in individual portion packs that you can easily fit in a lunch box or gym bag.
Seaweed snacks are not only super convenient and low in calories, but their nutrient profile may also surprise you. roasted seaweed provides large amounts of vitamin B6, which helps the body metabolize protein, create neurotransmitters, and can prevent morning sickness in pregnant women. It’s also a good source of iodine, the mineral that helps your thyroid function properly.
You have probably heard of greek yogurt high in protein and gut-friendly probiotics, but not all Greek options are created equal. Some versions boast tons of added sugars (to the point of being little more than dessert in disguise). Ditch the super-sweet variety in favor of Chobani’s lower-sugar Greek yogurt, available at Costco.
With four flavors to choose from in each pack, your taste buds won’t be disappointed at snack time. Your dietary goals won’t fall by the wayside either! Each 5.3-ounce cup comes with 12 grams of protein, 10% of the Daily Value of calciumand only 120 calories.
Real talk: Finding a crunchy, salty snack that’s actually healthy can be a challenge. Enter Harvest Snaps Lightly Salted Pea Fries. Derived directly from organic green peas, these six-ingredient snacks are high in fiber and low in sodium. (I can’t say the same for chips!) Eat a handful or two by themselves, dip them in a healthy dressingor save some to sprinkle on top of salads at dinner.