We all have “moments of cravings,” which can strike anytime. Whether it’s a sudden desire for something sweet, salty, or crunchy, it can be pretty challenging to manage these cravings in a healthy way. This is where healthy alternatives come in. By choosing to munch on healthy foods instead, you’ll be able to enjoy two benefits – your taste buds will be satisfied, and your overall well-being will be supported. If you’ve been looking for the best healthy alternatives to snack, look no further because this post will be furnishing you with delicious options that won’t derail your health goals.

Best Healthy Alternatives to Try when Cravings Hit

Whether you’re seeking sweet, savory, or salty food, or you just need something creamy, chewy, or crunchy, there’s a plethora of healthy foods you can oblige to as snacks.

• Fresh Fruit

Fruit is naturally sweet, which makes it an excellent choice when sugar cravings come knocking. Besides the fact that it has a delicious taste, it is also incredibly nutritious. It offers prebiotic fiber, antioxidants, and beneficial plant compounds, all while being low in calories. Consuming fruit regularly offers several health benefits. A 2015 review found that eating 300 grams (about four servings) of fruit daily can reduce the risk of heart disease by 16%. To turn your fruit into a delightful treat, consider dipping pieces in dark chocolate or creating a colorful mixed fruit bowl. This way, you satisfy your sweet tooth while nourishing your body with essential nutrients.

• Greek Yogurt

While Greek yogurt offers a creamy and indulgent taste, its health benefits are equally impressive. Compared to regular yogurt, Greek yogurt is higher in protein and lower in sugar. Additionally, it’s a rich source of beneficial bacteria, B vitamins, and calcium, which makes it valuable for both bone and digestive health.

Pairing Greek yogurt with fruit adds even more nutritional value and flavor to your snack. The combination of protein-packed yogurt and antioxidant-rich fruits offers a powerhouse of nutrients that support overall well-being.

• A Hot Drink

If you’re mindful of your calorie intake, consider making yourself a hot drink when cravings strike. Enjoying a hot espresso, tea, or coffee after a meal can help curb the desire for dessert and provide a sense of satisfaction.

This ritual not only distracts you from cravings but also offers additional benefits. For instance, coffee has been shown to increase levels of peptide YY, a hormone that promotes feelings of fullness. This appetite-suppressing effect can help you manage your calorie intake and support weight loss efforts.

By incorporating a hot drink into your routine, you can create a comforting habit that helps keep cravings at bay and supports your overall health goals.

• Cottage Cheese

This is a mild-flavored, low-calorie cheese that packs a nutritional punch. With just 163 calories per cup, it boasts around 70% protein and is rich in riboflavin (B2), vitamin B12, and calcium.

What makes cottage cheese one of the best healthy foods, particularly for those aiming to lose weight, is its low-calorie content and high protein. Protein from dairy foods like cottage cheese helps you feel fuller for longer and potentially reduces your overall food intake.

• Dark Chocolate

If you find yourself desiring chocolate, you may want to consider substituting your regular milk chocolate with a small portion of dark chocolate. Dark chocolate features a massive amount of antioxidants and is also delicious.

You can enjoy additional health benefits, such as reducing the risk of heart disease, when you incorporate dark chocolate into your diet. Nevertheless, it’s essential to be mindful of portion sizes. While you can be nourished by the health benefits provided by small amounts, consuming larger quantities can increase your sugar intake and diminish these positive effects.

To satisfy your craving, stick to a small square or two of dark chocolate. This way, you can enjoy the treat while reaping its health benefits.

• Fruit and Nut Butter

Health-conscious individuals are often fanatics of this nutritious and delicious snack – fruit dipped in nut bushes. Combining the natural sweetness and crunch of fruit with nut butter’s rich, creamy texture can perfectly satisfy your cravings.

This snack offers a wealth of fiber, minerals, and vitamins from the fruit, along with healthy beneficial plant compounds, proteins, and fats from the nuts. However, it’s essential to be mindful of portion sizes, as overeating nut butter is a temptation a lot of people cannot resist.

To keep this snack healthy, choose a nut butter made with only nuts and possibly a pinch of salt, and again, watch your portions to avoid excess calorie intake. This way, you can enjoy a balanced, satisfying treat.

• Snack Bar

While many snack bars on the market are high in sugar and offer little nutritional value, there are healthy options available that can enhance your diet with beneficial nutrients. When selecting a snack bar, opt for those that are minimally processed and made from whole foods such as fruit or oats.

It’s essential to read the labels carefully to ensure they don’t contain added sugars like table sugar, coconut sugar, or sugar syrups. If checking nutrition labels meticulously feels overwhelming, consider making your own snack bars at home. This way, you have complete control over the ingredients and can create a nutritious and delicious snack that fits your dietary needs.

• Banana Ice Cream

You should consider trying this healthier ice cream alternative whenever you’re longing for creamy and sweet ice cream. This delectable healthy ice cream option, Banana ice cream, is not difficult to make at all. What you need to do is to get some ripe bananas blended in a food processor and then freeze the mixture for a minimum of an hour. The impressive part about this snack is that it cuts beyond being creamy and flavorful, but unlike other typical ice cream, it is higher in fiber, plus it’s significantly lower in calories. For an extra twist, you can enhance the flavor by adding ingredients such as spices, other fruits, or milk.

• Popcorn

If you tend to snack on chips and you’re looking for something that won’t make you exceed your calorie limit as you’re experiencing salt cravings, popcorn can be a fantastic snack to try. The key to keeping popcorn healthy lies in its toppings, serving size, and how it’s prepared. There are more than 100 calories contained in a plain popcorn serving of a 3-cup.

However, note that large servings of popcorn sweetened with caramel or sugar can quickly rack up the calories. Compared to popcorn popped in oil, there are significant lower calories in homemade, air-popped popcorn. It’s advised that you steer clear of pre-packaged microwave varieties, which often contain more calories and unhealthy ingredients. While being mindful of your serving size, opting for lightly salted or air-popped, plain popcorn is a way to ensure that your popcorn snack stays healthy.

• Vegetable Chips

If you often find yourself frequently craving potato chips, vegetable chips are great healthy alternatives to indulge in. These two chips do not look so different, but the vegetable chips are not made from potatoes but from vegetables such as parsnips, seaweed, or kale. Nevertheless, be cautious with store-bought versions, as some can contain high fat, salt, and calories, as in typical potato chips. For a healthier option, consider making your own vegetable chips at home.

• Miso Soup

If you need your salty cravings satisfied, miso soup can be a fantastic healthy snack option for you. The main ingredient, miso paste, is created by fermenting soybeans with grains, salt, and koji, which is a kind of fungus.

This traditional Japanese soup is packed with an array of vitamins and minerals, beneficial plant compounds, protein, and fiber. It is low in calories and quite flavorful as well.

Moreover, regular consumption of miso soup has been associated with several health benefits. Research indicates that Japanese women who frequently consume miso soup have a reduced risk of breast cancer. Additionally, another study found that women who consume high amounts of plant compounds from soy-based foods like miso soup have a lower risk of stroke.

• Edamame

Referred to as immature soybeans, edamame does make a nutritious and delicious snack. Typically, they are boiled and lightly salted, then enjoyed by popping the beans out of their pods. Edamame is an excellent option if you’re in the mood for something salty. Vitamin K and folate are some of the variety of vitamins and minerals it is packed with. It also contains protein, fiber, and low calories.

You enjoy an impressive 17 grams of protein and around 190 calories when you take just one cup of edamame. To include, edamame delivers over 100% of the recommended daily intake (RDI) for folate and 52% of RDI for vitamin K. With its high nutrient content and satisfying flavor, edamame is a fantastic healthy snack choice for quelling salty cravings while promoting overall health.

• Berries

If you find yourself frequently craving sugar, consider reaching for berries to satisfy your sweet tooth while nourishing your body with essential nutrients. Berries are naturally sweet plus they are low in calories and contain loads of nutrients. More so, they boast a high antioxidant content, which contributes to their potent anti-inflammatory properties. These properties may offer protection against various diseases, including cancer and heart disease.

Final Thoughts on Best Healthy Foods for Managing Cravings

Managing cravings with healthy alternatives is a game-changer for your overall well-being. When you incorporate nutrient-dense foods into your diet, you’ll not only satisfy your cravings but also nourish your body and support long-term health. Remember, healthy alternatives are not restrictions, but empowering choices that promote a balanced lifestyle. Embrace the variety of wholesome options available and indulge in the sweetness of a healthy and happy you!

FAQs

Here are some frequently asked questions on healthy alternatives:

Q. Why do I need healthy alternatives to manage cravings?

A. Healthy alternatives help you satisfy your cravings without compromising your health goals. They provide essential nutrients, fiber, and antioxidants, which ultimately reduce the risk of chronic diseases. Choosing these healthy alternatives can also play a role in your sleep quality.

Q. Are there any healthy alternatives to sugary snacks?

A. Fresh fruits, nuts, seeds, dark chocolate, and energy balls made with wholesome ingredients are great options.

Q. Can healthy alternatives help with weight management?

A. Yes, healthy alternatives are nutrient-dense and low in calories, and they support weight loss and maintenance.

Q. Are healthy alternatives expensive?

A. Not necessarily! Many healthy alternatives like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains are affordable and accessible.

Q. How can I make healthy alternatives more appealing?

A. Get creative with recipes, try new flavors, and presentation matters! Make a colorful fruit salad or add nuts to your oatmeal.