Eating Healthy - January 20, 2023

The 13 Best Healthy Snacks You Can Buy at the Supermarket

admin January 20, 2023

0 33 16 min read

It’s a truth universally acknowledged that snacking makes the world go round. Registered dietitians agree that keeping healthy bites on hand is an important healthy-eating strategy. In those awkward hours between lunch and breakfast, a handful of granola or an energy bar can be just what you need to make it to noon without getting hangry. As the day treks on, a bag of high-protein chickpea snacks can help you defeat the dreaded 3 P.M. slump—and satisfy your salty cravings. And, of course, there’s nothing like a pre-workout bite to give you the push you need to make it through your evening sweat sesh. Basically, there’s nothing like a good snack.

Of all the newest store-bought snacks out there, these 13 were selected as the winners of the 2018 SELF Healthy Food Awards. After taste-testing countless snacks, SELF editors determined that these are the veggie chips, herbed nuts, beef jerky, and more worth your time. They’re zesty, flavorful, filling, and they all had to meet nutrition criteria developed by registered dietitians for our awards—so you know they have all the protein, fiber, healthy fats, and complex carbs to get the job done. All are stocked at major retail locations nationwide or available to order online as well. Keep them in your pantry, on your desk, or in your gym bag so you always have a healthy snack when you need one.

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Courtesy of Brand1

Best Chickpea Snacks: Saffron Road Crunchy Chickpeas – Bombay Spice

We’re calling it: Chickpea snacks are the new potato chips. They’re “super crunchy, salty” and they have a spicy, curry-like flavor that makes them crave-worthy. And they’re not just good for snacking on—our editors envisioned themselves adding them to salads, soups, or even crushing them to make breaded chicken. “So many possibilities,” they wrote.

Per ¼ cup: 130 calories, 4 g fat (0 g saturated), 18 g carbs, 1 g sugar, 6 g protein, 150 mg sodium

Suggested retail price: $4.49 for a 6-oz. bag

Buy it: amazon.com
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Courtesy of Brand2

Best Coconut Chips: Dang Food’s Lightly Salted Coconut Chips

Unlike a lot of coconut chips on the market, these ones weren’t too sweet. Editors noted that they are “unique, kind of surprising, [and] very light and crispy.” They’re a great way to satisfy your salty cravings when a plain, old potato chip just won’t do.

Per 1-oz. serving: 180 calories, 15 g fat (13 g saturated), 10 g carbs, 1 g sugar, 2 g protein, 105 mg sodium

Suggested retail price: $4.49 for a 3.17-oz. bag

Buy it: target.com

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Courtesy of Brand3

Best Potato Chips: Kettle Brand Potato Chips – Korean BBQ

These were so flavorful, taste testers couldn’t stop raving about them. “The seasoning was on fleek and the crunch was great,” one tester wrote, “[and] they had the kettle-boiled texture, but weren’t too thick or flaky.” And many noted that the barbecue flavor wasn’t super overwhelming like some barbecue chips can be.

Per 1-oz. serving: 140 calories, 8 g fat (0.5 g saturated), 15 g carbs, 1 g sugar, 2 g protein, 150 mg sodium

Suggested retail price: $3.79 for an 8.5-oz. bag

Buy it: amazon.com
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Courtesy of Brand4

Best Vegetable Chips: Bare Baked Crunchy Beet Chips – Sea Salt

If you like your chips with a touch of sweetness, then you’ll love these. “They’re sweet,” wrote one taste tester, “with just a touch of saltiness and a perfect level of crunch.” Thanks to all these flavors, they don’t taste too “vegetal,” even though they’re made entirely from beets.

Per one 1.4-oz. bag: 140 calories, 0 g fat (0 g saturated), 29 g carbs, 15 g sugar, 4 g protein, 260mg sodium

Suggested retail price: $4.08 for a 1.4-oz. bag

Buy it: amazon.com
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Courtesy of Brand5

Best Seaweed Chips: GimMe Organic Premium Roasted Seaweed – Sesame

These sesame seaweed chips pack a nutty flavor that a lot of other seaweed chips are lacking. They’re satisfying, crunchy, salty, and way, way too easy to eat—and we’re not mad about it!

Per ½ package: 25 calories, 2 g fat (0 g saturated), 1 g carbs, 0 g sugar, 1 g protein, 65 mg sodium

Suggested retail price: $2.11 for a .35-oz. container

Buy it: amazon.com