Snack Smart: Low Sugar Favorites for a Healthier Start to the New Year
Smart snacking with flavors to satisfy every taste bud
WELLNESS & NUTRITION
Find yourself reaching for snacks that either leave you hungry again or craving more? You are not alone. Snacking can be tricky, especially after the holidays when routines shift and hunger shows up at all the wrong times. Having simple, low sugar options on hand makes those moments much easier.
Most packaged snacks are full of sugar, refined oils, and fillers that do nothing for steady energy or cravings. A new year is the perfect time to simplify with a mix of satisfying choices and better for you crunch options. With so many flavors and textures in this list, there is truly something for every taste bud.
This list brings together real ingredients, lower sugar options, and smarter alternatives that taste good, support steady energy, and make snacking more enjoyable as you move into a fresh season.
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1. Three Wishes Plant Based Cereal, Vanilla Frosted
This grain free, high protein cereal is made from chickpeas for a light, crunchy texture with only three grams of sugar per serving. It is gluten free, non GMO, and has more protein and less sugar than traditional cereals. It also makes a great daytime or evening snack when you want something sweet but still steady. Each serving provides 20 percent of your daily calcium, which makes it a surprising little boost for bone health too.
✨ Tip: Enjoy a small bowl as a snack, or keep a container in the pantry to grab a handful when you want something crunchy and low in sugar.
Other flavors to include:
2. Jackson’s Sweet Potato Kettle Chips with Sea Salt
These chips are cooked in heart healthy avocado oil and made with non GMO sweet potatoes, which are naturally rich in fiber and antioxidants. They are paleo friendly, vegan, and gluten free. They have also become a new favorite of mine because they are crunchy, satisfying, and feel like a smarter alternative to regular potato chips.
✨ Tip: Pair them with hummus for a simple, nutrient boosted snack that satisfies salty cravings.
Other flavors to include:
3. Siete Sea Salt Potato Chips
These grain free potato chips are made with simple ingredients and avocado oil, which gives them that classic chip crunch without the heaviness or the processed oils found in most traditional chips. The Sea Salt flavor is light, crispy, and so easy to love. They make a great low sugar, clean ingredient swap when you want something salty that still supports your wellness goals.
✨ Tip: The Siete Tortilla Chips (Dip Chips) are amazing with guacamole or salsa, and the Lime flavor is great crushed on top of chili or mixed into chili for extra flavor. These chips give you all the crunch without the guilt from heavy oils. And yes, it is very hard not to eat the whole bag. Best to portion out a serving instead of snacking straight from the bag.
Other flavors to include:
4. Hippeas Chickpea Puffs, Vegan White Cheddar
These crunchy chickpea puffs offer 3 grams of protein and 2 grams of fiber per serving. A light, plant based alternative to traditional cheese puffs. They are organic, vegan, gluten free, and non GMO. This is a great alternative to the old Cheese Doodles, and your fingers will not be orange after eating these.
✨ Tip: The snack size bags come only in the Vegan White Cheddar flavor, which makes them easy to keep on hand in your car, purse, or desk drawer. Perfect for quick, portion friendly snacking that still supports your wellness goals.
Other option (Snack Size):
5. Chomps Grass Fed and Finished Beef Jerky Sticks, Sea Salt
Each stick provides ten grams of lean protein and zero sugar. Made from grass fed and finished beef. They are Whole30, paleo, keto, gluten free, and non GMO.
✨ Tip: Keep a Chomps sticks in your purse, gym bag, or glove box. They are the most reliable travel friendly low sugar snack. We always keep a few in our airplane carry ons for a quick protein fix.
Other flavors to include:
6. RXBAR Protein Bars, Chocolate Sea Salt
Made with simple ingredients like egg whites, dates, and nuts, RXBARs offer 12 grams of protein with no added sugar or artificial sweeteners. A steady source of on the go energy.
✨ Tip: Pair with herbal tea or sparkling water for a balanced afternoon snack. This is another great option for travel and hiking.
Other flavors to include:
7. Bare Baked Crunchy Fujis and Reds Apple Chips
These simple, baked apple chips have no added sugar or preservatives. They keep the natural sweetness and crisp texture of real apples, making them an easy, wholesome option when you want something sweet without added sugar. Light, crunchy, and perfect for snacking.
✨ Tip: My favorite way to enjoy these is straight out of the bag. They are also great sprinkled over oatmeal or yogurt when you want a little extra crunch.
Other flavors to include:
8. SkinnyDipped Almonds, Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter
SkinnyDipped Almonds are lightly coated, so you get the perfect touch of sweetness without the sugar crash. They are lower in sugar than traditional chocolate covered almonds, gluten-free, and made with simple, clean ingredients. They are an easy, satisfying choice when you want something sweet but still want to stay aligned with healthier habits.
✨ Tip: These are my favorite post dinner treat when I want a little sweetness without overdoing it. They satisfy that craving quickly and keep the evening feeling light.
Other flavors to include:
Dark Chocolate Peppermint ~ had to get these for the holidays!
9. LesserEvil Organic Popcorn, Himalayan Pink Salt
This popcorn is made with extra virgin olive oil instead of vegetable oils, which makes it one of the cleanest and simplest options you can keep in your pantry. It is organic, non GMO, gluten free, and naturally low in sugar. Light, crunchy, and satisfying without any of the heaviness or additives found in traditional microwave or movie theater popcorn.
✨ Tip: A handful makes the perfect mid afternoon crunch or a light movie night snack without feeling weighed down.
Other flavors to include:
10. Blue Diamond Almonds Low Sodium Lightly Salted Snack Nuts
These almonds are a simple, reliable low sugar snack made with just almonds and a light touch of salt. They provide plant based protein, healthy fats, and fiber to help support steady energy between meals without added sugars or unnecessary ingredients. Choosing the low sodium option keeps the flavor balanced and easy to enjoy regularly.
✨ Tip: Portion a small handful into snack containers or pair with fruit for a satisfying afternoon snack that travels well and actually tastes good.
Other flavors to include:
A new year brings a sense of renewal, and small changes can make a big difference. Choosing nutrient dense, low sugar snacks is an easy way to support steady energy and a fresh, healthy beginning to the year. One of my favorite ways to enjoy these is by putting together a simple charcuterie style snack plate after dinner, using Silicone Cupcake Liners Muffin Baking Cups to portion out a few different options. It lets me enjoy a little taste of everything without overdoing it.
Keeping a variety of snacks on hand also makes it easy to switch things up based on whatever I am craving that night, which keeps snacking fun and never boring. And the best part, these swaps actually taste good.
Happy snacking!
🌿 What is your go to healthy snack that helps you feel steady and energized?
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