16 Best Snacks for Weight Loss

Having the right and best snacks for weight loss is essential. Snacking is better since having small yet healthy options gives more nutrients than starving yourself which can eventually lead to binge eating something far less healthy than you might crave or eat larger portions later in the day.

RELATED: 12 Superfoods To Boost A Healthy Diet

Best Snacks For Weight Loss That You Can Enjoy

1. Red Bell Peppers With Guacamole

Although all bell peppers are full of nutrition, the red varieties are particularly high in antioxidants such as beta carotene, capsanthin, and quercetin. The healthy fats from the avocados in the guacamole will help keep you feeling fuller and more satisfied with your snack.

2. Apple Slices With Peanut Butter

This is an old favorite, but it's so nutritious and packs a great taste! Apples are high in fiber and antioxidants that improve gut health and reduce heart disease risk. Peanut butter has been tested for good cholesterol benefits and also in reducing LDL, the bad cholesterol.

Peanut butter is high in calories, but when consumed in moderation, such as 1 tablespoon with sliced apples, it provides a mix of protein and balance of health with only 200 calories for the entire snack.

3. Mixed Nuts

These are ideal because you don’t have to refrigerate them, but you must measure them out. The package will tell you how much will equal 100 to 180 calories, so you can count out that many per serving and make individual little packets, and have them ready to go. They are high in fat, but very filling.

Everyone needs a portion of fat each day for a good balance of protein, healthy fat, and fiber.

4. Mixed Berries With Greek Yogurt

This combo is nutrient-dense for a great in- between-meals snack. Make sure your yogurt is plain greek yogurt. This is a great source of calcium, potassium, and protein.

Berries are a great source of antioxidants. When combining a serving of berries with 100 grams of plain yogurt, this snack is around 150 calories.

5. Kale Chips

Kale chips are a great way to try kale. Even if you think you don’t like kale, you will probably like kale chips. Kale is loaded with fiber and antioxidants and is considered to be a superfood because it has so many nutrients.

1 cup of raw kale provides more than 100% of the DV of vitamin A, C and K. Here is a recipe for kale chips. This is 150 calories:

• 1 cup of bite-sized kale leaves
• 1 tablespoon of olive oil
• ½ teaspoon of salt

Mix all ingredients in a bowl. Place kale pieces on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake at 350 degrees F for 10-15 minutes. Keep an eye on the kale as it can burn easily. If cooked properly, this is a thin, light, and delicious snack!

6. Celery Sticks With Cream Cheese

This snack is a low-carb, filling snack. Celery contains an antioxidant that reduces inflammation and may help prevent cancer. 5 small celery sticks with 2 ounces of cream cheese are less than 200 calories.

7. Cucumber Slices With Hummus

This is is a delightful combination. Cucumbers contain cucurbitacin E which is a compound that may have anti-cancer benefits. Hummus is made from chickpeas, olive oil, and garlic, which reduce inflammation and may improve heart health.

One cup of sliced cucumbers dipped in 4 ounces of hummus is about 200 calories. This is definitely one of the best snacks for weight loss that you should have on your list!

8. Dark Chocolate And Almonds

The higher percentage of cocoa, the healthier the chocolate. Aim for 70% or higher. Almonds contain monounsaturated fat and help control the sugar level. They are known to reduce appetite.

A serving of fruit is a great snack. Bananas, apples, pears, grapefruit, grapes, and oranges make great snacks.

RELATED: 5 Health Benefits of Dark Chocolate

9. Cherry Tomatoes With Mozzarella

Cherry tomatoes with mozzarella go well together for a flavorful and one of the best snacks for weight loss. Tomatoes are high in potassium, vitamin C, and lycopene, an antioxidant that may reduce your risk of cancer and heart disease. Mozzarella is high in protein, calcium, and vitamin B12.

It may also raise levels of HDL good cholesterol and lower heart disease. 2 ounces of mozzarella cheese with one cup of cherry tomatoes is about 200 calories.

10. Eggs

Hard-boiled eggs are a protein-rich in-between snack for weight loss. Eggs are also incredibly filling and may help to reduce the number of calories you eat for hours. Recent studies have indicated eggs are not as high in cholesterol as once believed. Two hard-boiled eggs contain only 140 calories and have 13 grams of protein.

11. Carrots And Dip

Baby Carrots with blue cheese are a fun combination with health benefits as well. Carrots are one of the best sources of carotenoids, including beta carotene which your body converts to vitamin A.

These carotenoids may reduce your risk of cancer, heart disease, and cataracts. This is how carrots got their reputation for being the food for good eyesight.

It’s a fun idea to pair carrots with blue cheese or ranch dressing because the fat in the dip increases the easy absorption of the nutrients of the carrot. Two tablespoons of the dressing with several carrots is less than 200 calories. Do not use low-fat dressing.

Cheese made the ranks as one of the best snacks for weight loss. A 2-ounce serving of cheese or a cheese stick contains 14 grams of protein and 200 calories.

12. Edamame

Edamame is a dish of steamed unripened soybeans. Some people love them for their texture and others for their benefits, but whichever the case, edamame is rich in the antioxidant kaempferol making it one of the best snacks for weight loss.

Kaempferol has been shown to cause weight loss and lower blood sugar in animals. One cup of edamame has 17 grams of protein and 180 calories.

13. Pears With Ricotta Cheese

Pear slices with ricotta cheese have a sweet taste and a creamy texture as well. Pears are high in antioxidants and have strong anti-inflammatory properties. Ricotta cheese is high in protein and calcium.

In a 12-week study of older adults who consumed 7 ounces of ricotta cheese daily, they showed improved muscle mass and overall strength. A 3.5-ounce serving of ricotta cheese with 1 small chopped pear gives you about 12 ounces of protein and only 250 calories. Be sure to leave the skin on the pear.

Dried, unsweetened coconut is tasty and filling. This is a snack that contains the good fats our bodies need to help the brain function. Coconut has been known to actually help people who have experienced memory loss. One ounce of coconut contains 185 calories. This is one serving. Pay attention to your serving size.

14. Avocados

Avocados are among the most healthy food available thus making it one of the best snacks for weight loss. Studies show they help lower LDL bad cholesterol, improve symptoms of arthritis, and protect skin from sun damage.

These are high in fiber, potassium, magnesium, and monounsaturated fat. Sprinkle half of a medium avocado with salt and a dash of cayenne pepper for a little zip. This snack is 130 calories.

15. Cantaloupe Wrapped in Prosciutto

A cantaloupe slice wrapped in prosciutto is a tasty combination. Cantaloupe is a nutritious fruit that has tons of antioxidants. These keep your eyes healthy and reduce your risk of disease. This is very high in vitamins A and C and is a great source of potassium.

Combined with the prosciutto, which is a dry-cured ham, makes a balanced sweet and salty snack under 200 calories. Cut 3 ounces of cantaloupe into wedges and wrap each wedge with one slice of prosciutto.

Olives are easy to keep on hand and don't require any prep work. They are high in heart-healthy monounsaturated fats and provide powerful antioxidants like oleuropein. 25 green or black olives= about 150 calories.

Not only is the cantaloupe sweet and juicy it's truly one of the best snacks for weight loss.

16. Artichokes

Marinated artichoke hearts are great sources of fiber, vitamin K1, and folate. Studies show artichokes protect the cells lining your arteries and contain prebiotic fibers that nourish the beneficial bacteria in and around the stomach. A 3 oz serving of artichoke hearts marinated in olive oil is about 200 calories.

Watch this video from Remington James for other versions of the best snacks for weight loss:

Each of the above snacks equals about 200 calories, is high in protein, is full of great taste, and helps fight hunger between meals. These are not the only snacks. You can design your own snacks for weight loss using this same pattern.

The key to weight loss is to not feel hungry and to avoid eating unhealthy snacks between meals. Binging on high sugar snacks will sabotage even the best of weight loss plans. The best snacks for weight loss will help keep your weight loss plan on track so that you feel great and enjoy the food you eat every day while not worrying about breaking your goals.

Which one is your favorite on the list? Tell us in the comment section below!

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Editor’s Note: This post was originally published on July 29, 2020, and has been updated for quality and relevancy.