Snacks are important because they provide your body with the fuel it needs until the next meal. Healthy snacking helps you make nutritious choices when you sit down to eat, according to Epicurious. In addition, the right snack can prepare you for a workout and fuel you through the midday slump many people experience. Snacks should be kept within a reasonable amount of calories so that you don't overdo it, which can lead to weight gain. Healthy on-the-go snacks are simple to find and good for you.
Cheese
Throwing a chunk of low-fat cheese in your bag or grabbing the string variety is simple to do and provides you with a healthy snack that is low in calories and fat. The Center for Science in the Public Interest recommends Sargento and Laughing Cow reduced-fat varieties because they provide calcium while remaining lower in saturated fat than whole milk cheeses. Sticking to one portion keeps calories in check, plus cheese makes a healthy on-the-go snack when served with a couple whole grain crackers or a piece of fruit, both of which provide fiber to help you stay full.
Fruits and Vegetables
Fruits and vegetables are good sources of a variety of vitamins and minerals that support good health. Eating them helps prevent heart disease, cancer and high blood pressure, reports the Center for Science in the Public Interest. Purchasing a variety of produce and slicing it before storing makes it grabbing a snack easy as you head out the door. Good choices include apples, berries, nectarines, plums, pineapple, carrots, celery, cucumbers and sweet bell peppers. To round out the snack, dip fruit in low-fat yogurt and vegetables in hummus. Both dips contain protein to help you stay full until your next meal and are low in calories.
Nuts
According to the Center for Science in the Public Interest, nuts are high in calories so you should limit your intake to a handful and combine with some fruit. Most nuts are a good source of fiber and protein, which helps fill you up and gives you energy to continue with your day or get in a session at the gym. Nuts are a healthy and portable snack that you can often buy packaged into individual servings. They don't need to be refrigerated so you can store them in your car, desk or gym bag for a quick snack option. Good choices include cashews, peanuts and almonds. Chopped nuts also make a healthy addition to a cup of low-fat yogurt. Fruits or vegetables dipped in nut butters, such as peanut or almond, is an alternative way of incorporating nuts into a snack.
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