Looking for some heart-healthy snacks that will keep you satisfied and energized between meals?
Here are 10 of our top picks.
You just have to know what to look for.
With that in mind, you may be wondering what foods fit into those specs.
Here are 10 of the healthiest snacks to eat for your heart.
Apple with Nuts or Nut Butter
Many studies have shown the heart-healthbenefits of regularly eating nuts.
Bonus: Nut butter counts, too.
And when you combinenut butter with fruitsand vegetables that also have heart-healthy components, you multiply your heart-health superpowers.
Roasted chickpeasare the perfect snack to satisfy a crunch craving, and they can be made savory or sweet.
If making your own at home feels like too much, buy a bag of roasted chickpeas.
Just watch out for flavors that contain a lot of salt or added sugar.
Aim for less than 200mg of sodium or less than 4g of added sugar per serving, if possible.
Energy Balls
Many homemadeenergy ballspack a lot of heart-healthy ingredients into one small bite.
For an even bigger punch, add chia, flax or hemp seed for some omega-3 fatty acids.
Whole-Grain Crackers with Hummus
“Whole grains contain fiber, which helps lower cholesterol,” says Murachver.
Pair whole-grain crackers with hummus for some extra fiber, a little plant-based protein and healthy fats.
Roast a bunch at the beginning of the week for an easy grab-and-go snack.
Pair with anavocadoortahini-baseddip for even more heart-healthy fats packed into your snack.
If you prefer the crunch of raw carrots, that’s a great option too.
Roasted Spiced Nuts
Bored with raw almonds?
Murachver’s favorite combo is a drizzle of maple syrup, pumpkin pie spice and a pinch of salt.
Packaged flavored nuts can be a good option as welljust watch the excess salt and sugar.
Similar to nuts and dried chickpeas, store-bought versions are a good convenient option.
Green Smoothie
Smoothies are the perfect way to pack in a lot of nutrients that promote heart health.
For example, ourReally Green Smoothieis filled with good-for-you ingredients, like bananas.
Edamame also contains fiber, polyunsaturated fat and other phytonutrients that contribute to heart health.
Try edamame with a squeeze of lemon or lime and some cayenne pepper for a low-sodium snack option.
Both homemade and packaged snacks have a place in your kitchen.
