12 Best Healthy Snacks for Busy People

For those with a busy life, it can be hard to be healthy. We don’t always have the time to prepare a nutritious meal and if you’re on the move all day, carrying food can be awkward. This is why it’s important to know the best healthy snacks for busy people.

Here we’ll look at a range of different options to suit every taste. We’ll be focusing on snacks that can either be bought directly or quickly made. Let’s take a look!

What to Look for In Healthy Snacks

Before we look at the best healthy snacks for busy people, it’s important to know what to look for in a healthy snack. This will allow you to come up with your own ideas and creations based on your personal preferences.

Whole Food Ingredients – Try and find snacks that are made from whole and unprocessed ingredients. Far too many snacks are overprocessed and lack nutrients while often containing many additives.

High in Fiber or Protein – It’s best for your snacks to either be high in fiber or protein. These are usually nutrient rich and can help to keep you full and satisfied. Fiber will also help with your digestion and gut health.

Easy to Prepare and Portion – If you lead a busy life, then convenience is important. If you are buying a prepackaged snack, ensure it is healthy. For other snacks, make sure they are easy to prepare and can be portioned out.

Satisfying and Delicious – If your snack is boring and bland, you’ll be tempted to reach for an unhealthy snack instead. Find options that satisfy your cravings and make you avoid the temptation to look for alternatives.

12 Best Healthy Snacks for Busy People

Now we know what to look for, what are the types of snacks which tick those boxes. Here are 12 suggestions.

1. Fresh Fruit

It’s hard to beat fresh fruit as a delicious and fulfilling snack. If you don’t like the common options such as bananas, apples, and oranges, then experiment with different options. Fruit is both nutritious and refreshing, and preparation usually involves simply grabbing it and putting it in a bag. For other smaller fruits, such as berries and grapes, you can just put them in a little snack box.

2. Dried Fruit

If carrying fresh fruit is too much of a hassle, you can always opt for dried fruit instead. This is much more compact to carry, and you don't have to worry about it getting bruised or squashed. The likes of dried apricots, mango, or cranberries can give you a quick boost of energy and nutrition.

3. Nuts

Nuts are often packed full of protein and healthy fats, along with having plenty of minerals. Almonds, walnuts, and cashews are all popular choices. You need to ensure that nothing has been added to the nuts, such as salt, as this can turn them into an unhealthy snack.

4. Yogurts

Yogurts are packed full of protein. Also containing probiotics and calcium, they are a healthy snack if they don’t have any added sugar. Greek yogurt is the healthiest, but there are a few great options out there. You can combine your yogurt with fruit for an even more filling snack.

5. Snack Bars

Snack bars are tricky as some may seem healthy but can be deceptive. Make sure to choose snack bars that don't have added sugar and contain whole food ingredients. They are the ultimate in convenience, and there's a wide variety of them out there.

6. Protein Shakes or Smoothies

If you're too busy to eat, these can be a great way to get plenty of protein and nutrients. You can prepare your own smoothie the night before or buy one premade. Again, you need to be careful they don't have any added sugar.

7. Canned Tuna

Another great source of protein is canned tuna. Some varieties now come flavored, or you could even add your own yogurt or vegetables. The cans are now highly convenient, and you don't need to worry about them staying cold or getting damaged.

8. Veggies and Hummus

Some may find eating vegetables on their own to be a little boring but a great ways to make them interesting is with hummus or another type of dip. Veggies that are great for this include carrot sticks, cucumber slices, and strips of bell pepper.

9. Cheese and Crackers

Cheese and crackers can feel like an indulgent snack, but it's one that is usually low in calories. For the healthiest version of this snack, you can choose a low-fat cheese along with whole crackers.

10. Boiled Eggs

Boiled eggs can be kept for up to a week in the fridge. Therefore, you can cook them beforehand and grab one whenever you need. You can add them to a salad for a more fulfilling snack or just eat them on their own.

11. Chia Seed Pudding

This is another snack that only needs a little bit of preparation. Put chia sits in with your choice of milk, then add some sweetener and flavoring, if desired. Leave this overnight, and then you'll have a delicious snack for the day after.

12. Chicken Bites

You can either buy prepackaged chicken bites from the store or prepare them yourself. As long as not too many flavorings are added, they’ll be a wonderfully healthy snack and a great source of protein. If making them yourself, you can just sprinkle cooked chicken with your favorite spices.

How to Avoid Unhealthy Snacks

We know the likes of candy bars, chips, and pastries should be eaten in moderation. But other types of snacks can be much more misleading. Here’s what to look out for to avoid getting tricked into eating an unhealthy snack.

Read the Label – Check the nutrition labels on packaged snacks. Look out for high levels of sugar, saturated or trans fats, and sodium (salt). And if there are many ingredients you can’t even pronounce or recognize, that’s a bad sign.

High Sugar Content – We mentioned it there, but sugar can be especially deceptive. There should be no added sugar, as even snacks marketed as natural or organic can have it added. Your snacks should have little or no added sugar.

Beware of Sneaky Tactics – It can be easy to take one quick look at a snack and think it's healthy. A snack labeled as organic, vegan, natural, or gluten-free can still be high in fats, sugars, or calories. Make sure to check what you're buying.

Avoid Empty Calories – Some calories are better than others. Processed food, for example, is usually very low in nutrients. Choose snacks that are high in fiber or protein and provide vitamins and minerals.