15 Satisfying Snacks That Are 250 Calories or Less

These snacks will nourish your body and help curb hunger – and you won’t have to count calories because they are all around 250 calories. That’s a reasonable amount for a snack.

While it’s true that calories count – it’s also true that there’s no need to count calories daily. In other words, it’s fine to use the abundance of calorie- and maco-nutrient-counting apps to help stay on track every once in a while, but doing it daily is a bit obsessive. And most importantly, tracking numbers often takes the enjoyment out of eating.

With that said, dietitians will tell you that 100 calories’ worth of crackers or chips probably won’t make you feel the same way as enjoying something more nutritious, like our spicy, savory, slightly sweet loaded baked Sweet Potato with Salsa Verde (recipe below), which is also about 100 calories. That’s why we put together a list of our favorite easy, lower-calorie snack recipes that are also bursting with nutrition. The recipes are lower in carbs and filled with fiber or protein or both; these nutrients help avoid the crash of hunger and fatigue that happens after eating more processed foods that aren’t as nutrient-dense.

Start with Healthy Chocolate Pudding. This luscious pudding has a secret ingredient – sweet potatoes! With the addition of creamy milk chocolate and rich cocoa powder, you’d never guess there are veggies in this velvety treat. Each portion-controlled dish of rich pudding has almost a full serving of sweet potatoes. Sweet potatoes are an excellent source of vitamins A and C which help keep the immune system healthy; it’s also a good source of fiber, potassium and vitamin B6 all of which help the heart stay strong. So give this little treat, which clocks in at about 210 calories per serving, some love.

When you really need to bust your ‘hangry’ mood, this nutrient-filled snack takes only five minutes to make. It is also a dietitian-approved, pre-workout snack with the perfect mix of complex carbohydrates and protein to fuel any activity. To make: Cut a banana into 1 1/2-inch chunks. Spread one end of each with about 1/2-teaspoon peanut butter and dip in your favorite granola or trail mix (about 160 calories).

Any time is a good time to tuck into a rollup made with melty cheese, ham and crisp lettuce. You’ll fuel up with around nine grams of protein and three grams of fiber. Start by spreading one teaspoon spicy brown mustard on a soft whole-wheat tortilla or wrap. Layer two thin slices ham and one tablespoon shredded dill Havarti cheese on top. Broil to melt cheese, then top with chopped romaine. Roll up and cut in half or in slices (about 240 calories).

Mangos are in season year-round so fresh ones are easy to grab at the store – but this sweet-tart snack would also be satisfying with convenient already-cubed frozen mango. One cup of mango cubes contains around three grams of fiber, a combination of both soluble and insoluble fiber which feeds gut-friendly bacteria, for better gut health. Toss one cup ripe mango chunks with two tablespoons toasted coconut, a squeeze of lime juice and a pinch of salt (about 160 calories).

A sweet and savory mix of pistachios and pistachio butter, dried cherries and rolled oats comes together in these satisfying and wholesome no-bake treats. A melted chocolate coating and a sprinkle of crushed pistachios give the healthy chocolate balls an indulgent “truffle” flair. Dried cherries contain antioxidants known as anthocyanins, and these powerful nutrients help reduce inflammation and add their signature deep red pops of color. Enjoy one chocolate ball (about 190 calories) with a can of bubbly water.

With the flavors of rosewater and cardamom, this lightly sweetened snack or dessert has floral notes that are subtle and very pleasing. Both honey and chia seeds add prebiotic fiber to this sweet treat. So while the pudding will probably make your mouth smile, these prebiotic fibers can contribute to a healthy gut microbiome. It’s a delicious (240-calorie) way to help make your gut happy, too.

For this super simple, low-fat dessert, we roasted pineapple to intensify its sweetness, then ran it under the broiler for a rich, caramelized finish. And the five grams of protein and two grams of fiber in each serving give this 230-calorie snack staying-power until the next meal. And don’t forget to enjoy the spent orange halves after the juice is removed; just slice into half-moon orange “smiles” and pull out the sweet pulp with your teeth. Without the juice, there are about 20 calories along with a good three grams of fiber.

Here’s a genius protein-boosting hack: Stir plain Greek yogurt into hummus. This booster adds about four to five grams of complete protein to hummus, which already contains four grams of plant-based protein, plus two grams of fiber. Mix together 1/4-cup each two-percent Greek yogurt and hummus with a few dashes of hot sauce. Serve with cut vegetables (about 210 calories).

Did you know ricotta is a smooth, slightly sweet type of cheese that contains much more protein than cream cheese, which is what’s typically used in cheesecake? The third-cup serving of ricotta used here has about six grams of satiating protein. To make this quick and ultimately spoon-able “cheesecake:” Top 1/3 cup part-skim ricotta cheese with two chopped strawberries, two teaspoons agave syrup and one crumbled graham cracker (about 220 calories).

There are only six grams of sugar in each of these cute little muffins and all of it comes from the fruit and milk – there’s no added or refined sugar. Plus nearly every other ingredient is loaded with nutrients from the whole-wheat flour and antioxidant-packed cinnamon to the choline-rich eggs to all three of the different types of fruits which contain a variety of vitamins and minerals. A serving of two of these muffins comes to about 200 calories.

Since there are only a few ingredients in this snack, get the good stuff! Wrap a piece of cooked bacon and a slice of tomato in two leaves of Bibb lettuce. Drizzle with about 1/2-tablespoon blue cheese dressing (about 80 calories using regular-cut bacon). For almost double the protein, choose thick-cut bacon; it has four grams of protein per slice versus about 2.5 grams in a regular slice. And if you want to double the deliciousness – and the protein – use two pieces of bacon (each oven-cooked slice of thick-cut has about 70 calories).

While eggs for a snack might seem a bit unconventional, it’s hard to find a protein bar that is as nutrient-dense, inexpensive – and even zero-sugar. Two eggs plus melty cheese contain around 14 grams of protein. To make: Spray the inside of a mug with nonstick cooking spray. Whisk together two large eggs, two tablespoons frozen mixed vegetables, one tablespoon low-fat shredded cheese, then season with some salt and pepper. Microwave one minute. Stir and microwave 45 seconds to one minute more. Let sit for one minute before eating (about 180 calories).

Say hello to healthy fats in this indulgent snack that’s creamy, crunchy and a bit sour. Sprinkle half an avocado with 1/2-teaspoon each with low-sodium soy sauce, rice wine vinegar, toasted sesame seeds and chopped cilantro. Mash with a fork and eat out of the shell (about 120 calories). Add a chopped hard-boiled egg for 70 calories more and six grams of protein.

This satisfying afternoon pick-me-up couldn’t be easier. Just top a half-cup of chocolate ice cream with about a half-cup of hot coffee. While using frozen yogurt to slash a few grams of saturated fat might seem like a good idea, check the grams of sugar first. Often the fat in frozen yogurt is replaced with sugar. So instead, go for the real deal – and spoon in real ice cream, then relish every bite (about 150 calories).