It’s that time of year… The time when we are feeling the effects of all the holiday goodies consumed over the past 6 weeks.  As much as I enjoy indulging, I also get burnt out on the sweets and junk food.  Especially now that I’m a mom.  I look forward to getting back to our normal routine, which includes much healthier eating habits.

There seems to be two camps when it comes to snacks: those for and those against.  Some people believe snacking is a big contributor to obesity and other people believe snacking is crucial to maintaining a healthy weight.  My take?  I know that I, personally, am healthier when I have a small snack between meals.  I am much less likely to overeat at lunch and dinner because I’m not famished and I feel generally more energized when I allow myself snacks.

I think the key is making sure you are eating healthy snacks and that you are listening to your body (in other words, eat when you are hungry and stop when you are satisfied).

I tend to get in a snack rut, though.  I end up getting the same snacks over and over and I get bored with it.  Does that happen to you?  So I sat down last week and came up with a list of SEVENTY snack options.  What do you think?  Do any of these sound appetizing to you?

Seventy Healthy, Real Food Snack Ideas

Sweet Snacks

1. Plain Greek Yogurt with Honey and Berries
2. Vanilla Greek Yogurt with Granola (I LOVE this granola.)
3. Boom Chicka Pop Lightly Sweet Popcorn
4. Banana Sauteed with Honey and Cinnamon (this was my main go-to when I was pregnant with Little Miss K.)
5. Pumpkin Smoothie (pumpkin, banana, almond milk, cinnamon, ground cloves)
6. Tropical Green Smoothie (spinach, pineapple, banana, and coconut milk)
7. Banana “Ice Cream” (Freeze sliced bananas for an hour; pulse in food processor until smooth and creamy.  Optional mix-ins: nut butter, chopped nuts, chocolate chips, coconut, strawberries, blueberries)
8. Three Ingredient Almond Butter Granola Bar
9. Three Ingredient Pumpkin Cookies
10. PB&J “Sushi” (Thinly spread all-natural peanut butter – only ingredients should be peanuts and salt – and all-natural jelly onto a tortilla; gently roll up from one side; slice into spirals)
11. Easy Chocolate Granola
12. Larabar (If your grocery store doesn’t have them, you can get them at Amazon or Thrive Market.)
13. Apple Slices and Almond Butter (One of my kids’ favorite snacks.)
14. Cinnamon Pear Chips
15. Homemade Gummy Fruit Snacks
16. Frozen Yogurt Covered Blueberries
17. Dried Apricots
18. Dried Cranberries and Pistachios (I get organic dried cranberries at Costco.)
19. Cottage Cheese with Fresh Peaches
20. Bare Natural Apple Chips
21. Fresh Blueberries and Raw Almonds
22. Cinnamon Roasted Almonds
23. Toast with Real Butter and Raw Honey (Also good with a little cinnamon!)
24. Dark Chocolate Trail Mix Bites
25. Strawberry Fruit Leather
26. Applesauce
27. Pear Sauce
28. Whole Grain Pancake with Apple Butter
29. Celery with Nut Butter and Raisins or Dried Cranberries
30. Fresh Fruit with Almond Butter Yogurt Dip
31. No-bake Apple Sauce Brownies
32. Frozen Yogurt Bark
33. Maple Cinnamon Roasted Chickpeas
34. Toast with Cream Cheese and Pitted Dates
35. Figs and Ricotta Drizzled with Honey

Salty/Savory Snacks

1. Air Popped Popcorn, Lightly Buttered and Salted
2. All Natural Cheese and Whole Grain Crackers
3. Carrot Sticks and Greek Yogurt Ranch Dip
4. Hard Boiled Egg and Whole Grain Toast
5. Sliced Avocado on Toast
6. Hummus and Veggies
7. Hummus and Seed Crackers
8. Sesame Garlic Roasted Chickpeas
9. Cajun Roasted Chickpeas
10. Lightly Salted Roasted Almonds
11. Lightly Salted Roasted Sunflower Seeds
12. Homemade Cheese Crackers
13. Homemade Wheat Crackers
14. Cucumbers and Dill Yogurt Dip
15. Bell Peppers and Ranch Dip
16. Mini Bean and Cheese Burrito
17. Wild Caught Alaskan Salmon and Crackers (Get your salmon at a discount at Thrive Market.)
18. Zucchini Chips
19. Zucchini Fries
20. Spinach Balls
21. Soy Sesame Edamame
22. Baked Green Bean Fries
23. Kale Chips
24. Black Bean Chips and Salsa
25. Tomatoes and Fresh Mozzarella
26. Cauliflower Fries
27. Avocado Hummus Taquitos
28. Roasted Garlic Kale Hummus
29. Cottage Cheese and Seed Crackers
30. Roasted Edamame
31. String Cheese Wrapped with Thin-Sliced Lean Roast Beef
32. Lightly Salted Steamed Edamame
33. Mini Cheese and Salsa Quesadilla
34. Veggies and Tzatziki Dip
35. Veggie Quinoa Bites

I love sharing food tips, ideas, and recipes!  What are your favorite healthy snacks?  Please share with me in the comments!