What’s your favorite meal of the day? For me, it’s breakfast … mostly because of bacon. (Duh.) I could honestly do without lunch (and many days I do), thanks to a hectic workday, and dinner doesn’t always sound fun. Do you know what does sound fun, though? Snacks. Seriously, do you know anyone who doesn’t love snacks? Healthy, not so healthy, everyone I know loves — and lives for — snacks.
So, why not celebrate something we can all agree on? And, let’s be honest, there’s not much we all agree on these days. Shove all of that to the side and let’s focus on a platform we can all get behind: Snacks. I’ve got the healthy (nuts and olives), the not-so-healthy (chips and cookies), and a few options that are solidly in the middle (cocoa-dusted things and fruity options). Whether you’re sitting in front of the TV or headed out the door to the ballfield, these options are sure to please.
Pie Day
What’s the best snack out there? The glorious oatmeal creme pie from Little Debbie. These oatmeal cookies smooshed around a delicious creme filling are the quintessential snack … and have been since they hit the snack scene in 1960. It’s not the healthiest choice on the list but it might just be the tastiest.
Just Be Kind
Kind bars haven’t been around as long as oatmeal creme pies but that doesn’t make them any less delicious. If you’ve never tried them before, this variety pack is the way to go with dark chocolate, peanut butter and caramel options in one box. These are packed with nutritionally dense nuts and just enough sweetness to keep you sane.
Not-So-Forbidden Fruit
Who had fruit snacks in their lunchboxes as a kid? This family-sized box from Mott’s isn’t your typical fruit snacks, though; these are made with juice from real fruits and veggies and even offer 100 percent of your daily recommended vitamin C intake. These are gluten-free and perfectly portable, whether you’re running to the store or headed to one of a million different practices.
About To Pop
I can’t get enough of popcorn; literally, it’s one of my favorite foods. And, while I prefer the kind with copious amounts of butter and salt at the movie theater, my runner-up definitely has to be the white cheddar-flavored option from Smartfood. The best part of this purchase is the 40 individual bags so you won’t eat an entire grocery store-sized bag in one sitting.
Soy, Ahoy
I only really discovered edamame a few years ago and it was love at first sight. While I mostly eat it cooked, I also love it in a crunchy, roasted form like these from The Only Bean. You don’t have to choose from their numerous flavors since this assorted pack includes sea salt, sriracha and buffalo all in one box.
I Woke Up Feeling The Cheesiest
The Cheez-It commercials are among my favorites on TV, but this box isn’t just about the cheese. It’s a veritable snack heaven with 30 packs of salty, cheesy and sweet. You’ll get an assortment of Pringles, Rice Krispies Treats and, yes, Cheez-Its so you can snack on whatever your taste buds are craving — all right inside the same handy box.
Looking Like A Whole Snack Box
When you don’t know what you want or, conversely, you know you want it all, this snack box from Kellogg will fit the bill. This 40-pack has it all, from Lay’s chips to the sandwich cookies to my personal favorite — Flamin’ Hot Cheetos. At less than $21, you won’t find a deal with good (or varied) at your local grocery store.
Pick A Pack
Sweet tooth? If you’re comfortable in who you are and you know that sweets are your kryptonite, then snag this Nabisco favorites collection that has everything from graham crackers to chocolate chip cookies to “America’s favorite cookie,” the Oreo. There are 30 packs in this assortment, which is a total steal for $13. Pack some in lunches or save them for yourself, I’ll never tell.
Huff And (Chickpea) Puff
I’m going to be honest here: I didn’t think I would like these chickpea puffs, but I am now considered a super fan. This 18-county pack has nacho and (vegan!) white cheddar flavors in individually-portioned bags great for grabbing to go. Heck, it may even help you resist the urge to buy those unhealthy options at the checkout counter.
Strip Down
Fruit strips are like gummies for adults. I mean, who wants to be schlepping around town munching on fruit gummies? These fruit strips come in six delicious flavors with only real ingredients and zero added sugar. I love how small these are so you can throw a couple in your bag without taking up much space. Each of these comes in at 50 calories or less.
Fish Tales
I don’t care what anybody says: Goldfish have no age limits. Yes, I know toddlers love to smash them into rugs and yes, I know older kids consume them by the handfuls. They’re O.K. for adults, too, especially in this variety pack that includes the original, pretzel and color versions. Choose from other packs like “bold mix” and “say cheese.”
In A Haze-lnut
One day, we were just living our lives, minding our business when, all of a sudden, someone invented Nutella and the planet has never been the same. These snack packs come with a puddle of hazelnut spread and breadsticks, which will run out so you’ll have to use your fingers. And, you won’t even be mad about it, especially at less than a dollar a serving.
Hey, Stud Muffin
I love muffins but, mostly, the tops of muffins. These soft-baked muffin bars are essentially the best part of the muffin — the top. If you’re prone to skipping breakfast or you have an angsty teenager who wouldn’t dream of eating a bowl of cereal, these bars are a compromise that everyone in the house can agree on.
Cocoa-A-Go-Go
If you close your eyes when you’re eating these cocoa-dusted almonds from Blue Diamond, you can also imagine you’re eating a candy bar … almost. Nuts are full of good stuff like fiber, protein, vitamins and minerals, and they’re infinitely easier to eat thanks to these 100-calorie packs. If chocolate’s not your jam, choose from whole natural and lightly salted options.
The Final Straw
Hear me out: Veggies but make them chip-like. These sea salt Veggie Straws have been around for a hot second for good reason — they taste good and people like them. They’re the perfect alternative to regular chips with 30 percent less fat, high-quality ingredients and no artificial flavors or preservatives. Give the apple version a try if you’re looking for something slightly sweet.
Olive You
Looking for a tasty, guilt-free treat? Meet Oloves – a zesty variety pack of four delightful flavors: Basil & Garlic, Chili & Oregano, Lemon & Rosemary, and Black Kalamata Olive Chili & Garlic. Just 50 calories of pure deliciousness, these olives are the versatile snack you’ve been searching for. They’re gluten-free, vegan, keto, and kosher too! Made with 100% natural ingredients and absolutely no additives, Oloves offer a burst of flavor with every bite. So, go ahead and jazz up your lunchbox, picnic, or hike with these convenient, pit-free wonders!
Glaze Over
There’s nothing like glazed nuts and these nut mixes from Sahale Snacks are tasty and interesting. Most mixes with glazed nuts lack flavor but packs like maple pecan and honey almond (which have fruits sneakily added in) are well-balanced and delicious. They aren’t your grandma’s glazed nuts, O.K.? Grab a pack of these for the school pick-up line or to tide you over while grocery shopping.
Brownie Points
If they had told me they could take the flavor of brownies, pack it down, make a brittle and I’d buy it, I would’ve told them they were crazy. The best part of the brownie is the chewy corner bits! This Brownie Brittle is pretty delicious, though, in flavors like chocolate chip and salted caramel. And, at 120 calories a bag, you can snack without the guilt.
It Ain’t Easy Being Green
When I rank the types of nuts in the nut world, pistachios would be pretty close to the top. (Bonus points if I don’t have to shell them.) These packs include roasted, honey-roasted and chili-roasted options to satisfy your snacking needs from sweet to salty. It’s a perfect snack any time of day — with plenty of protein and fiber, too.
Wise-cracker
Cracker packs are the O.G. of the snack world and this Keebler sandwich cracker variety pack is giving me all the 1990s vibes. Choose from cheese and peanut butter, toast and peanut butter or, my personal favorite, Club and cheddar with those delicious, buttery Club crackers. This 45-pack set is perfect for your pantry and the “I’m hungry!” crowd who lives in your house.
Pick A Pack Of Pocky
Sometimes, products come along that we look at one day and go, “When did you get here?” For me, that product is Pocky, which comes in a gazillion different flavors. Pocky is a product of Japan, a biscuit stick covered in an assortment of flavors. This purchase is for chocolate, strawberry or cookies and cream variations, which are so easy to snack on you’ll wonder where they all went.
Aww, Nuts
I’m sure you didn’t know when you clicked on this article that I’d give you the perfect “stay away from me” snack, but here we are. Mauna Loa’s macadamia nuts come seasoned with onion and garlic, ensuring that no one will want to get too close until you brush your teeth. If you prefer to keep people close, try the sea salt or honey-roasted varieties.
Give Me A Ring
Every single time I see pretzels, I want them, as evidenced by my most recent trip to the grocery store. These pretzel rings are a step up from store-bought pretzels with a sourdough spin. Specifically, these were created with craft beer connoisseurs in mind. Reviewers rave about these, saying things like: “These are the best pretzels I’ve ever tasted.”
Happy Trails To You
Does it get any better than trail mix? Sweet, salty, chewy, crunchy — it does it all. These packs are interesting, with pumpkin seeds, cranberries, walnuts, sunflower seeds and more. They’re well-mixed, too, know what I’m saying? Packed in individual bags, this isn’t like traditional trail mix, which is usually packed full of peanuts alone. You’ll never go back after trying these.
When I Dipp, You Dipp, We Dipp
If you’re looking for a granola bar that’s a whole lot more like a candy bar than something healthy, you need to grab these Chewy Dipps, which are the perfect blend of chocolate, peanut butter and crunch. Quaker markets these as a great option for the whole family — and they’re not wrong. Kids and adults alone will reach for these and at just 140 calories, you’ll always approve.
It’s All Good
Just when you think granola couldn’t possibly be interesting, these granola minis come along. Shaped into tiny granola balls in strawberry or cookies and cream flavors, these pouches are packed with whole grains, which keep bellies full longer, and are allergy-friendly. One reviewer offered her snacking advice: “My family lives to add this treat to yogurt and oatmeal. I use it as my afternoon snack.”
Fruit Salad
Fruit comes in all types of forms: Whole, gummies, even dried. These fruity snacks from Bare include bananas, apples and coconuts (among others if you toggle through your options). Gluten- and fat-free, these are made by baking and include no added oils or preservatives. If you have a hard time getting your littles to eat fruit, disguise it as “chips” and they’ll gobble them down.
Belly Up To The Bar
Have you checked out the protein bar market lately? It’s out of control. This dark chocolate chip peanut butter protein bar option claims to be the “original, refrigerated protein bar.” It features clean ingredients and superstar superfoods in each bite. And, while they’re meant to be refrigerated for the best taste and texture, they are good for one week out of the refrigerator.
Wager On These Wafers
If flaky crust and delicious cream filling sound good to you, these wafer cookies from Rip Van Wafels will spoil you. Available in vanilla, dark chocolate, hazelnut and lemon flavors, these feel more decadent than their 120 calories. Keto-friendly and vegan, these have less sugar and more fiber than competing snacks. And, don’t get me started on taste. These might just become my new breakfast option.
Burned To A Crisp
Years ago, if someone had offered you a rice cake, you would’ve politely declined while wondering what you ever did to offend that person. Today, rice cakes have gotten a bit of a facelift with small, “crisp” design and plenty of flavor. These packs include ranch, BBQ and cheddar varieties in an easy, pop-in-your-mouth snacking format.
A Keto Keeper
It seems like it would be easy to find good keto-ish snacks, but whenever I’ve been on the hunt for them, it’s not been as simple as I would’ve imagined. These low-carb nuts from The Nut Bakery give regular nuts a new twist with flavors like vanilla and vanilla cinnamon. These come in a single 10-oz. bag so just try not to eat them all.
A Fish Out Of Water
Perhaps the smartest snack idea on this list, these tuna salad kits might not earn you a lot of thanks from those around you, but they’re just about the healthiest option you could go with. These come with everything you need for an on-the-go lunch or snack, even the spoon. Choose from regular tuna or a number of flavored options.
Health Nut
We’ve reached the end of our ranked snacks, which is just nuts — extra-crunchy nut bars, that is. These have simple ingredients like nuts and honey, packed in a bar-like shape for portable snacking. The best part is, you can choose your favorite nut. For me, it’s pistachios; for you, maybe almonds? Grab a few so you have a good variety.
Shake Your Booty
If you haven’t heard of Pirate’s Booty, what have you been doing with your life? These aged white cheddar cheese puffs have developed a cult following for a reason — they’re insanely addictive. Made with gluten-free rice and corn blended with real aged white cheddar, this is one snack you’ll feel good about. The box includes 24 bags, but try to not eat them all in one sitting, O.K.?
Pop Off
Mushrooms are having a moment right now, aren’t they? The mushroom chips in these bags won’t have you hallucinating but may have you wondering why you waited so long to try them as a snack. This variety pack includes three flavor options: Rosemary and salt, Thai chili and truffle parm. You’ll get all the benefits of mushrooms with a satisfying potato chip-like crunch.
Give Yourself A Boost
Where do you turn for energy? Pills? Coffee? Energy drinks? These sugar-free drink mix packets are packed with B12, multivitamins, antioxidants and electrolytes to give you a boost (no pun intended) wherever you are. This pack includes three flavors: Acai, berry and citrus. The best part is, you won’t feel jittery at all like you might with caffeine and you’re getting a bunch of vitamins, too.
Too Hip To Be Square
Prefer to chew your energy? These energy squares from Quantum combine caffeine, protein and whole foods to get you over that 3 p.m. slump. The chef-crafted flavors are interesting, too, with options like caffe mocha almond chip and dark chocolate Himalayan sea salt. I love that you can toss these in your pocket, which doesn’t work quite as well with a cup of coffee.
Let’s Go Nuts
We’re still nuts! Almonds this time, that is. These dry-roasted and unsalted almonds are made in small batches by design with a cooking technique that brings out more of the nuts’ crunchy, nutty taste. A handful of nuts boast tons of antioxidants, fiber and protein at less than 180 calories per serving. And, seriously, aren’t almonds the kings of the nut community? Be gone, cashews!
Coffee Talk
Is coffee a snack? It is if you’re a high-performance individual who wants the mental and physical energy as well as alertness most coffee products are known for. Peak Performance organic coffee is a high-altitude, single-origin, fair-trade organic coffee grown in the Guatemalan highlands. This coffee comes in pods perfect for single-serve machines. One reviewer said, “This coffee gives me more energy than any I have ever tried.”
Hey, Honey
Honey has so many great properties. Besides being used as a natural sweetener, it has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits. These honey sticks come in a pack of 50 with five different flavors including clover, cinnamon, orange, lemon and ginger. Snack on these solo or add them to your favorite beverage or even dishes like oatmeal. This honey is sourced in the Rocky Mountains and makes a perfect, portable snack.
Boost Your Immunity
We’ve gone over some coffee options when it comes to being properly caffeinated but this one is for the tea lovers. This jasmine dragon pearls tea delivers a beautifully-scented and deliciously-infused jasmine green tea experience that is subtly floral, smooth and sweet. The hand-rolled pearls are a unique design similar to loose-leaf tea. One reviewer called it a “spa in a cup,” and if that isn’t a perfect description, I don’t know what is.
The Bare Necessities
I’ve really been hung up on dehydrated and dried fruit lately and these fruit snack packs from Bare have my mouth watering. Available in packs of apple, pineapple, coconut, bananas, strawberries and more, these gluten-free snacks are fat-free and baked rather than fried. In a time when everything, including the food we eat, is complicated, these are snacks gone simple.
It’s Good To Go
Protein bars get a bad rap. A lot of them are hard to chew and full of ingredients you can’t pronounce. These soft baked bars from Good To Go have a shortbread-like texture according to reviews, and come in five different flavors including some interesting options like strawberry macadamia nut and blueberry cashew. The “good” news is, you’ll be able to pronounce every single ingredient.
These Are Nacho Chips
I love Doritos. You love Doritos. But, holy saturated fat, Batman, they are not good for you. These tortilla-style chips deliver the nacho cheese flavor you love about Doritos in a healthier format that involves almond flour. These are low-carb with no added sugar, and even have some protein to help keep you full. If you’re keto (or thinking about going keto), these are worth adding to your pantry.
Just Fruit — That’s It
A lot of “good” snacks aren’t as good for you as they seem, but these real fruit bars are as good as they promise. Dubbed “That’s It” for the product’s tiny list of ingredients, these bars are packed with just fruit — that’s it. (Get it?) Choose from variety packs that include bananas, cherries and mango or blueberries, figs and strawberries.
Waffle Around
When I think of waffles, I think. of those big, fluffy creatures you fuss over on Saturday mornings. These stroopwafels from Rip Van Wafels are thin and crispy like the best type of cookie and come in great flavors like this Dutch caramel and vanilla crisp. Eat them like a sandwich or dunk them like a cookie, the choice is all yours.
About To Pop
I have a love-love relationship with popcorn; in fact, I’ve never met a popcorn I don’t like. Skinny Pop is. guilt-free popcorn option at just 100 calories and less than 10 net carbs per bag. This purchase includes 30 individual bags of popcorn with no gluten, dairy, nuts, trans fat or preservatives. It doesn’t have the heavy butter and salt flavoring you’ll get at the movie theater, but it also won’t make you feel bad for indulging.
Don’t Wait, Hydrate
Coffee is the nectar of the gods but not everybody can stomach it (literally). This instant coffee in single-serve sticks actually hydrates instead of dehydrates and has great ingredients like coconut water, Himalayan salt and magnesium in a clean, crisp medium roast. The portability means you can add your brew to hot or cold water whether you’re at the office or in the mountains.
Time To Eat The Donuts
The words “protein” and “donuts” don’t seem like they should go in the same sentence, do they? But, here we are. These low-carb, low-calorie, low-sugar protein donuts are a healthy spin on dessert with a pouch coming in at less than 150 calories with 11 grams of protein. These are melt-free so you can throw them in a purse or backpack for on-the-go snacking.
She Said Yes
Why am I a sucker for anything that has chocolate chips on the packaging? These plant-basd snack bars are vegan, paleo, gluten-free and low-sugar, and fit every “good” category out there where snacking is concerned. Not a fan of chocolate? There are other interesting choices, too: Apple cinnamon, black sesame sea salt and salted maple pecan, among others. Reviewers call these bars delicious and healthy.