Choosing Health Wise Snacks Under 200 Calories
Eating well balanced meals is foundational, yet healthy snacking plays a key role too. When hunger hits between meals avoid sabotaging your goals with high-calorie junk. With some savvy meal planning, stock your kitchen with plenty of tasty yet health wise snacks under 200 calories.
Benefits of Healthy Low-Calorie Snacks
Incorporating mini meals of 150-200 calorie snacks offers many benefits for both adults and kids:
- Keeps blood sugar stable
- Wards off excessive hunger leading to overeating
- Bridges nutrition gaps between meals
- Provides energy boosts as needed
Choosing diet-derailing options negates these perks. But the snacks below clock in under 200 calories while still tasting delicious!
Under 200 Calorie Fruit Snack Ideas
Naturally sweet fresh fruit makes one of the best health wise low-calorie snacks. Aim for 1-2 cups per serving from this list of single serving fruit ideas:
Mixed Berries
144 calories – 1 cup blueberries, raspberries, blackberries mix
Apple Slices with Peanut Butter
195 calories – 1 medium apple, thinly sliced with 2 Tbsp peanut butter
Grapes and Cheese
181 calories – 1 cup red grapes with 1 oz grated cheddar cheese
Strawberries and Yogurt
139 calories – 1 1⁄4 cup strawberries mixed with 1⁄2 cup nonfat Greek yogurt
Fruit Salad Combo
192 calories – 1 cup diced watermelon, honeydew melon, pineapple, grapes
Banana Almond Milk Smoothie
195 calories – 1 medium banana blended with 1 cup almond milk & 1 Tbsp almond butter
Bonus nutrient boost – add greens like spinach, kale or avocado!
Under 200 Calorie Veggie Health Wise Snack Options
Don’t underestimate just how tasty veggies make for health wise nibbling:
Hummus with Veggies
190 calories – 3 Tbsp hummus with cut raw veggies: bell pepper, carrots, celery, cucumber
Edamame in Shells
180 calories – 1 cup steamed edamame in the pod, lightly salted
Cucumber Sushi Rolls
110 calories – 1 (4-5 inches long) sushi roll made with rice, cucumber, avocado
Bell Pepper & Goat Cheese Stacks
122 calories – multi-color bell peppers with 2 wedges goat cheese per stack
Tomato Mozzarella Skewers
170 calories – cherry tomatoes and bite-size mozzarella balls, fresh basil on skewer
Tip: Use light string cheese cuts for even fewer calories!
Under 200 Calorie Dairy Health Wise Snack List
Dairy lovers, rejoice! Nutrient-dense options like yogurt, cheese and cottage cheese clock in under 200 calories for one serving:
Nonfat Greek Yogurt Bowl
181 calories – 1 cup nonfat plain Greek yogurt topped with berries & chopped nuts/seeds
Part-Skim String Cheese Sticks
150 calories – 2 sticks part-skim mozzarella string cheese
Chocolate Milk
190 calories – 1 cup low-fat chocolate milk
Cottage Cheese Fruit Bowl
184 calories – 1 cup 1% cottage cheese topped with peach slices & cinnamon
Laughing Cow Cheese Wedges
110 calories – 6 Mini Babybel light cheese rounds or 2-3 Laughing Cow wedges
Bonus tip: Spread cheese wedges over rice cakes or apple slices for a yummy duo!
Under 200 Calorie Protein & Grain Snack Options
Beans, nuts, seeds, eggs and whole grains all contribute valuable protein and fiber. Here are balanced combos perfect for an anytime mini meal:
Hard Boiled Eggs
155 calories – 2 hard boiled eggs
Whole Grain Toast
152 calories – 1 slice Dave’s Killer Bread or Ezekiel toast with 1 Tbsp almond butter
Nutty Apple Rice Cakes
142 calories – 2 brown rice cakes with 1 Tbsp peanut butter
Chickpea Salad Stuffed Pepper
167 calories – multi-color mini pepper stuffed with chickpea salad
Make it vegan by using eggless chickpea mayo!
Tuna Salad Pocket
178 calories – 3 Tbsp tuna salad made with greek yogurt inside a 100-calorie flatbread
Use whole grain pita for 189 calories
Under 200 Calorie Savory & Sweet Treat Snacks
Who says you have to forgo yummy snacks for health wise choices? These delicious picks satisfy sweet and savory cravings in a balanced way:
Protein Smoothie
197 calories – 1 scoop protein powder, 1 frozen banana, 1 cup spinach, 1 cup almond milk
Single Serve Cottage Cheese Pancakes
182 calories – 2 mini pancakes made with egg, cottage cheese, oats, cinnamon
Single Serve Pizza
196 calories – 1serving flat-out light Italian herb flatbread pizza crust piled with veggies
DIY Trail Mix
184 calories – lightly roasted almonds, walnuts, dried cranberries, mini chocolate chips
Greek Yogurt Bark
170 calories – 2 pieces frozen yogurt berry “bark” made from Greek yogurt & berries
Tips for Choosing Health Wise Snacks
Keep enjoyment and nutrition hand in hand with these healthy snacking tips:
Combine Food Groups
Pair carbs with protein or healthy fats to balance energy. This also aids staying power over carb-only treats.
Hydrate Well
Being even mildly dehydrated tricks your body into feeling excess hunger. Stay well hydrated to help correctly interpret thirst signals.
Limit Added Sugars
Note sneaky sweeteners in flavored yogurts, cereals, snacks and drinks. Prioritize options without added sugars.
Portion Appropriately
Pre-portion snacks into 150-200 calorie serving sizes. This makes grabbing an appropriate mini meal effortless.
Enjoy single serve popsicles, yogurt, cheese sticks and other snacks packaging foods into built-in portions.
Combine Simplicity with Flavor
Fresh fruits and veggies naturally satisfy without needing heavy processing. Enhance flavors with herbs, spices, vinegars and mustards instead.
The Takeaway on Health Wise Low Calorie Snacks
Ditch empty calories from crackers, chips, candy and baked goods. Keeping health wise snacks under 200 calories ensures you properly fuel your body between meals, not sabotage your goals.
Amp nutrition without excess calories by combining fresh produce, lean proteins and whole grains. Meal prep mini servings for easy grab-and-go options to stay consistently satisfied.
FAQs
How often should I snack between meals?
Aim for a 150-200 calorie mini meal or snack every 2-3 hours to maintain consistent energy and blood sugar levels.
What are some on-the-go health wise snack ideas?
String cheese, nuts, seeds, Greek yogurt packs, protein bars under 200 calories, fresh fruit, snap peas, mini peppers, and boiled eggs are all easily portable snacks.
Should kids follow the same 200 calorie snack guideline?
Kids have lower calorie needs. Size their snacks accordingly - about 100-150 calories - while still focusing on lean, whole food options.
How do I determine an appropriate snack portion size?
Read nutrition labels carefully, measuring out snack servings into containers. Use your hands as a guide - a palm-sized amount of nuts, golf ball of cheese, thumb tip of nut butter, etc.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.
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