The Best 250-Calorie and Under Snacks You Can Buy Right Now, According to a Dietitian
Step up your snacking game with these delicious and nutritious bites.
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Sometimes you're going about your day (or night) and the craving for something salty, sweet, or chocolatey comes out of nowhere. Cue: snack time. Whether you think of them as "mini meals" or a bonus opportunity to help you reach your protein, fiber, or healthy fat goals, snacks can be a useful tool in your healthy eating toolkit. (Remember: Just because something is labeled ultra-processed, doesn't mean it can’t be nutritious.)
In addition to snack and protein bars, and beef jerky, the store-bought snack options included below will provide you with ample nutrients, all for 250 calories or less. Start shaking up your snack routine with these new ideas now.
The Best Store-Bought 250-Calorie and Under Snacks
With just four ingredients, this snack is a fun new way to eat a PB&J. To make them, plump medjool dates are stuffed with ground peanuts, freeze-dried strawberry powder, and a sprinkle of salt. That’s it! These pre-portioned, 180-calorie snacks are packed with 5 grams of fiber and 4 grams of protein, plus potassium and magnesium. Unlike a conventional PB&J, these little morsels also have no added sugar, but are rich in natural carbs for a great pre-workout bite.
Crunchy beans and nuts are excellent for savory snacking; they're are packed with protein and fiber, low in carbs, and rich in healthy fats. Mix up your snacking with crunchy chickpeas and different nuts to get a variety of nutrients. But don’t forget edamame, which tops the charts with almost double the amount of protein as other nuts and seeds. These edamame packs have 12 grams of protein, along with 5 grams of fiber, 10 percent of the Daily Value for potassium, and 110 calories.
While most people know about the benefits of extra-virgin olive oil as part of the Mediterranean Diet, they may be unfamiliar with the fact that olives are on Mediterranean tables almost daily. Any and all types of olives are rich in brain-healthy fats. These snack packs do not contain drippy brine and require no refrigeration. One pack has about 7 percent of the Daily Value for vitamin E and only 40 calories. Pair it with a few slices of jerky for a mini-charcuterie experience.
Not sure about sardines? Try sardines in olive oil; they are tender, meaty, and tend to be less dry — and even less fishy — than those packed in water. (The same is true for tuna!) These sardines are a powerhouse of omega-3 fats with 1,800 milligrams per can, and are rich in both EPA and DHA omega-3s. One can also has 18 grams of protein, a whopping 50 percent of the Daily Value for vitamin D, and only 170 calories. To enjoy, drain the sardines, mash them with a fork, and spoon onto slices of cucumber (1 cucumber has about 30 calories).
These extra-crunchy pieces of coconut sprinkled with cocoa powder and sea salt are super satisfying. The coconut rind gives each serving 7 grams of fiber. This chocolate-coconut snack is a little sweet with only 3 grams of added sugar, and a little salty from the sprinkle of sea salt. With 150 calories per serving, there’s room to add a piece of fresh fruit to make this snack more substantial.
These 200-calorie protein bars are made for your mind. They contain a signature blend of ingredients with links to brain health including vitamin D, flaxseed, omega-3 fats, and ashwagandha and Lion’s mane mushrooms. The nut- and oats-based bar also contains creatine, which may help with muscle building when consumed regularly. With all these extra ingredients, you might wonder about the taste. Spoiler alert: they taste just like a chocolate chip oatmeal cookie. Each bar has 20 grams of protein, 6 grams of fiber, and 100 percent of the Daily Value for vitamin B12, which is important for cognitive health.
Overnight oats aren’t just for breakfast. Any jar of overnight oats is just as delicious as a mid-afternoon snack, or a post-workout refuel. These 250-calorie packets contain 6 grams of fiber. The 10 grams of protein they contain doesn't come from protein powders, but from oats, nuts, chia seeds, and powdered milk. Mix with water and let set for a few minutes or mix the packets with a cup of non-fat milk for another 8 grams of protein (and 80 calories).
Though fresh fruit is certainly more filling and less pricy, some varieties, like strawberries, aren’t especially portable. Freeze-dried fruit provides a great alternative and is just fun to eat. The process preserves most of the nutrients and antioxidants found in fresh fruit, especially because freeze-dried fruit is vacuum-packed. Strawberries have one of the highest fiber contents among freeze-dried fruits; one of these bags has 3 grams of fiber, 1 gram of protein, and only 50 calories. Add a cheese stick or mix the strawberries into a cup of plain yogurt for a more satiating bite.
This might be the most satisfying 250-calorie snack on our list. The refrigerated pack has a little of everything: veggies, pepperoni sticks, cheese, and real Ranch dressing to dip it all in. (Take it from us — if you're someone who enjoys dipping their pepperoni pizza in Ranch, you'll be especially happy!) Each pack has 9 grams of protein and 3 grams of fiber. The sodium is on the higher end here, so limit this snack to a few times a week, instead of everyday.
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