Healthiest Snack Foods

Healthy snacking can reduce cravings. Small meals and snacks have been proved to help weight loss, if snacks are healthful. Avoid snacks with too much sugar, high calories or too much fat. Keep snacks well-portioned. Read labels to check for low-fat, calories and sugar content. Watch for too many preservatives.

Whole Grains

• Whole grains contain complex carbohydrates, which gives you energy. Low-fat crackers are a good choice. Watch sodium content in pretzels and crackers.

Fruits and Vegetables

• Fruits and vegetables are very low in fat and full of vitamins and minerals. Use low-fat or fat-free vegetable dip. Low-fat peanut butter with celery is more filling. Stay away from fruit in sugary syrups.

Dairy

• Low-fat cheeses can be combined with crackers. Yogurt with granola makes a good snack, but be sure it is low-fat and low in sugar. The granola will make it more filling. Dairy foods offer calcium and protein for muscle and bone health.

Nuts

• Nuts can be a good snack, but they are high in calories. They offer protein, which makes you full. Eat a few nuts with fruit or yogurt to get the nutritional value and feel full faster.

Drinks

• Make a smoothie out of ice, low-fat yogurt and fresh fruit. Store-bought smoothies are usually high in sugar. Water cleans out your system. Tea that is low in sugar, green tea and 100 percent fruit juice also are good choices. Watch the calorie content of drinks.

Something Sweet

• A small piece of dark chocolate quenches a sweet tooth and provides antioxidants. All-natural fruit leather gives the nutrition of fruit in a chewy strip. Low-fat granola bars drizzled in yogurt are filling and can contain nuts, grains and dried fruit while tasting sweet.