Snacks can help quell hunger and cravings, but to do that effectively they must be delicious, filling and nutritious – without adding unnecessary calories to your diet. Here are a few healthy snack ideas that do all this and more without making you gain weight!

Skip the potato chips for some crunchy kale chips instead; these snacks provide protein, fiber and antioxidants that may aid weight loss.

1. Nuts and Seeds

Selecting healthy snacks between meals is key to reaching your weight loss goals and staying full and satisfied. Select snacks rich in proteins, fiber and healthy fats so as to prevent blood sugar crashes that interfere with energy levels and hunger control. Also try to limit sugar consumption so as to maintain energy levels without leading to crash episodes that reduce appetite control.

Nuts and seeds offer an abundance of protein, fiber, healthy fats and essential vitamins and minerals – perfect as an afternoon snack when eaten whole as an easy to-go option or ground into nut butter! With their ability to provide nutrients like protein and healthy fats while filling you up quickly. However, be wary as nuts can contain calories so it is wise to practice portion control when snacking on nuts and seeds!

Add chopped walnuts to yogurt or protein powder as an easy, portable source of fibre and omega-3 fats, recommends Healthline. Pistachios provide similar nutrition with less calories per calorie count.

Replace sugary fruit-flavored yogurts with plain Greek or Icelandic yogurt combined with fresh berries and one tablespoon of chia seeds for an invigorating, nutritious snack that offers both protein and gut-boosting probiotics. This delicious combination only contains 183 calories and 3 grams of fibre!

2. Guacamole

Guacamole is an excellent source of fiber, healthy fats, vitamins, and minerals. Avocado is the mainstay ingredient in guacamole and provides heart-healthy monounsaturated fat that may help lower cholesterol levels according to research from Journal of Clinical Lipidology. Though avocado is high in calories per serving, when eaten alongside other nutritious food options such as salad or fruits guacamole can still make for an excellent way to snack while dieting.

Guacamole can be made even healthier when served with baked plantain chips instead of traditional potato chips, which has an irresistibly salty-sweet combination that pairs beautifully with its rich texture. Another alternative would be pairing it with low-cal roasted vegetables such as cauliflower, broccoli or carrots that provide ample nutrition while simultaneously increasing flavor in your snack.

Guacamole can make for an open-faced breakfast sandwich when spread on whole grain bread or cloud bread, adding an egg, bacon or cheese for more filling protein-rich snack. You could also use it to top lean cuts of beef or chicken for dinner!

Guacamole can serve as a light lunch when used as a topping for tortilla wraps or quesadillas, with healthy ingredients like chicken or beans and some cheese for an easy and quick homemade quesadilla lunch option.

3. Greek Yogurt with Berries

Yogurt with berries combines protein-packed protein and the satisfying crunch of high-fiber foods into one delicious snack, packed with essential calcium, potassium and Vitamin C/A benefits. Enjoy it on whole grain bread or create a parfait using low-fat yogurt, fresh berries and chopped almonds or coconut for optimal satisfaction.

Ants on a log, the beloved childhood treat composed of peanut butter spread on celery with raisins, makes an excellent healthy treat for adults as well. Packed full of protein, fiber, folic acid and vitamins B and E this tasty snack provides essential nourishment.

Lycopene found in tomatoes is fat-soluble, so for optimal absorption it should be eaten along with foods rich in fat such as mayonnaise or avocado. A small tomato stuffed with one ounce of tuna salad provides about 200 Calories while providing satisfying protein as well as other vital nutrients.

Jicama sticks are a delicious crunchy snack packed with fiber, potassium, vitamins A and C and the heart-healthy fiber pectin. Enjoy them as an afternoon treat by adding flavor with an aromatic dressing or bake until crisp in the oven before dunking into an easy homemade fry sauce for extra crunch and nutrients!

4. Almonds with Fruit

Snacking is an integral component of a balanced diet and an integral component of weight loss. If you’re trying to lose weight, snacking can help satisfy hunger between meals. The key is keeping calories at a minimum while targeting protein, fiber and healthy fats for consumption. Regular snacking has also been found to decrease levels of “bad” cholesterol while simultaneously improving blood pressure control and insulin sensitivity, according to research studies.

Almonds with fruit make an easy, delicious and satisfying snack under 150 calories. Their sweet yet nutty combination provides satisfying protein and fiber intake, helping your body process sugar more slowly.

Add cottage cheese and cherries for an easy way to boost fiber, vitamin C and the heart-healthy antioxidant lycopene. And for added flavor and protein boost add “everything but the bagel seeds”.

As a convenient grab-and-go snack option, pack whole fruits in Tupperware for easy snacking at work or while traveling. Try mixing in fresh berries and chopped almonds into your yogurt of choice or opting for lower-cal varieties like plain Greek yogurt. Be wary of brands containing high fructose corn syrup, artificial flavors or synthetic colors; look out for products without these elements in their ingredients list.

5. Greek Yogurt with Bananas

Greek yogurt is an easy and satisfying way to stay full and energized throughout your day, while adding fruit or granola (preferably low FODMAP version for maximum gut health benefits) can only further increase its delicious flavor and nutritional benefits.

Choose dairy-free, plant-based Greek yogurt to meet your goals. Add some sweet bananas for natural sweetness, drizzle some maple syrup or honey over it, and finish off your breakfast with a dash of cinnamon for extra warmth and satisfaction.

Making Greek yogurt more filling is also easy: add peanut butter or any nut-based butter like almond or walnut, which will provide protein and healthy fats, or vanilla extract for an additional sweet touch without extra calories.

Prioritize snacks rich in calcium, protein and fibre to keep yourself feeling satiated during physical activity or workouts. Instead of reaching for chips with few nutrients or sweet cookies that don’t do much for weight loss efforts, pick from these 10 nutritious treats under 150 calories that will help you meet your weight loss goals!

6. Dark Chocolate

Chocolate can be an enjoyable snack, but to successfully lose weight it’s essential that we choose wisely when selecting chocolate-based snacks. Many candy bars contain empty calories that cause fat storage (read more here). On the other hand, dark chocolate holds special significance among cardiologists and registered dietitians for its heart-protective flavonols content.

Sherbet or sorbet are delicious cold treats that provide the perfect cooling sensation, satisfying any sweet or refreshing cravings for something cold and creamy. Sherbet has lower calories than its frozen cousin ice cream as well as several essential vitamins and minerals such as Vitamin C, potassium and fiber; half cup serving of orange sherbet has only 107 while one cup of strawberry sherbet boasts 110.

Although these recipes may not technically qualify as portable snacks, yogurt and granola make an easy and delicious on-the-go treat. Granola features nutritious whole grains like rolled oats, wheat bran and barley flour as well as protein-rich nuts or seeds for an enjoyable bite on-the-go. Cocoa powder adds chocolatey goodness without extra calories or sugar!