We all know the importance of eating healthy. Food is the fuel and nourishment our bodies need to function properly and perform at its best. Food can be used as medicine, energy boosters, mood boosters, and when we are consistent in eating healthy well balanced meals, we could potentially also see weight loss benefits as well. Afterall, they say abs are made in the kitchen.

Part of maintaining a healthy lifestyle is meal prepping and staying on top of things by packing your own snacks. Unhealthy snacks can be a prime culprit for bringing people off their healthy regime and sending them into a spiral of poor choices. Packing your own snacks for lunch beyond just plain fruit and veggies can feel empowering and help ensure that what you are eating in between meals is convenient and also nutritious and delicious.

Below, I’m sharing a roundup of healthy snacks you can add to your packed lunches. 

15 Healthy Snacks To Pack For Lunch

Bean Pepper Nachos

Healthy snacking starts by planning ahead. If you have a little time to prepare meals ahead, you’ll want to add this yummy bell peppers nacho idea to the top of your list to pack for lunch. This hearty and delicious snack is packed with tons of protein, fiber, and other nutrients you can get from the myriad of veggies. Make a large batch, then portion a few off to have a filling and healthy snack packed for lunch. Bonus: This is a vegetarian friend and gluten free option. You can also substitute the cheese for a vegan cheese if you’re wanting to go dairy free.

Ingredients

4 Mini bell peppers – 40 calories

½ cup Beans & legumes, black beans, cooked – 114 calories

¼ cup Guacamole – 105 calories

⅓ cup Cheese, Mexican, shredded – 152 calories

¼ cup Salsa – 16 calories

1 Tbsp Cilantro – 0 calories

2 tsp Taco seasoning – 10 calories

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F
2. Slice mini bell peppers in halves
3. Mix together beans and taco seasoning
4. Fill bell pepper halves with bean mixture
5. Top with cheese
6. Bake for 8 minutes
7. Top with guac (I buy pre-made), salsa, more seasoning if you wish, and chopped cilantro
8. No dairy? Use more guac at the end

Caprese Stacks

While we’re in the kitchen making snacks, go ahead and prep you some caprese snack bites. They are simple, fresh, and easy to make. Perfect for spring or summer, but can really be eaten no matter what time of year. What makes them great to pack as a snack for lunch is the fact that will keep you satisfied in between meals, which is exactly what you want on those long days. Side note: This one’s also gluten free, vegetarian, and can also be vegan by subbing out the dairy. These can also pair well with pita bread.

Ingredients

½ Tomato, medium – 11 calories

2 oz Cheese, sliced, mozzarella, full fat/ regular – 140 calories

1 cup Leafy greens, arugula, raw – 5 calories

¼ tsp Basil, dried – 0 calories

¼ tsp Oregano – 0 calories

¼ tsp Salt – 0 calories

¼ tsp Pepper, ground – 0 calories

Instructions

1. Slice tomato & layer slices on top of cheese as shown in the picture.
2. Top with arugula and seasonings.
3. No dairy? Use a dairy-free cheese, or top cheese with slices of avocado.

Ants on a Log

This is a stellar option to help you have a great snack for your balanced lunches.

Ingredients

½ cup Celery stalks, chopped in half – 8 calories

2 Tbsp Peanut butter, unsweetened (Tbsp) – 188 calories

¼ cup Raisins – 130 calories

Instructions

1. Top celery with peanut butter and raisins.
2. No nuts? Use any other seed butter

American Flag Grahams with Cool Whip

This one is such a fun snack idea to pack especially in the summer for Independence Day or even Memorial Day or Veteran’s Day, you get the point. But you really don’t need the excuse of a holiday to make this yummy snack option. It’s easy to make too!

Ingredients

2 Graham crackers – 118 calories

4 Tbsp Cool whip – 44 calories

¼ cup Pomegranate seeds – 44 calories

¼ cup Blueberries, fresh – 18 calories

Instructions

1. Spread cool whip evenly over graham crackers.
2. Top with blueberries and pomegranate seeds in American flag pattern.
3. You can also use yogurt here instead of cool whip
4. No dairy? Use a dairy-free yogurt

Salmon Cream Cheese Toasts

Ingredients

2 Bread, thin, whole wheat, slice – 140 calories

4 Tbsp Cream cheese, whipped (Tbsp) – 132 calories

4 oz Smoked salmon – 133 calories

Instructions

1. Toast bread
2. Top with cream cheese and smoked salmon
3. No dairy? Use sliced avocado

String Cheeses with Prosciutto

This one is such a great snack. You’ll get the protein and the fats and you’ll feel glad that you did.

Ingredients

2 oz Prosciutto – 120 calories

2 Cheese, string cheese, mozzarella, full fat/ regular – 140 calories

Instructions

1. Wrap prosciutto around cheese.
2. No dairy? Use extra prosciutto or nuts/ seeds. No meat? Have nuts or seeds with the cheese.

3 Ingredient Banana Cookies

Sometimes we have a sweet tooth and would rather reach for a treat to satisfy the sugar cravings. These 3 ingredient cookie bites are the perfect solution!

Ingredients

0.3 Tbsp Cacao powder – 6 calories

1 Banana – 105 calories

½ cup Oatmeal, dry oats (uncooked) – 150 calories

2 tsp Sugar – 32 calories

Directions

1. Mash banana with a fork.
2. Combine all ingredients and mix evenly.
3. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
4. Spoon mixture evenly onto tray and bake for 15 minutes at 350 degrees.

Other notable mentions you can buy pre-packaged are:

• String Cheese
• Plain, Greek Yogurt
• 2 Hard Boiled Eggs
• Trail Mix
• Dried Fruits
• Cheese and crackers

Notes: For the cheese, you can use sliced, mozzarella, full fat/ regular with your choice of grain crackers. No dairy? Use avocado or peanut butter. Gluten free? Use gluten-free crackers.

• 2 oz Turkey Jerky

Notes: No animal protein? Try Epic brand’s Salmon Jerky. No jerky at all? Have a hard boiled egg or two, 2 string cheeses or 1 Greek yogurt instead.

• Fruit cups

Notes: Just be sure to look for no sugar added.

How To Pack Snacks

When it comes to packed lunches and snacks, there are a few things you’ll want to consider like if you’ll be having non refrigerated lunch ideas, how long it will be until you eat, and more. So if you want to know how to pack a healthy lunch or how to pack snacks, follow these tips below.

• Use an ice pack
  • Keep things fresh by adding an ice pack to your snack bag.
• Choose the right container
  • Ziplock bags work best for lunches and snacks that need to be kept dry like chips or crackers.
  • Fresh fruit and veggies like apple slices, lettuce and tomato, or other snack or lunch ideas that contain moisture are best kept in airtight containers like plastic tupperware or pyrex.
• Use a lunch bag
  • Lunch bags work great for keeping all of your pre packed snacks contained into one portable sack.

What are some of your recommendations? Would love to know in the comments down below!