Benjamin Franklin said it best: “Eat to live, don’t live to eat.” Food and all the culinary goodness that makes up our diets play a vital role in your health, but it shouldn’t be the centerpiece. 

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Everyone’s favorite dollar bill says that food is meant to enhance and enrich your life, not to be the main attraction. The concept of snacks is the perfect representation of this. Need a quick bite to put you over a hurdle?  Grab that granola bar. 

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But not all snacks are made equal — or healthy. 

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Quite the opposite, in fact. Go to your local shopping center and you’ll likely walk into a snack aisle filled with salty and oversaturated goods. They might be comfort food for the soul, but not for the body. 

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No need to fret, however. You don’t have to solve a dietary maze to master the art of healthy snacking. Some healthy snacking essentials lie past the barrage of potato chips and pork chops. You just need to know what to look out for. 

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Here are some fantastic healthy snacking ideas. 

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Apples and Peanut Butter

A tried and true classic. Apples and peanut butter go so well together and give nutrients to your body in unique ways. 

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They say an apple a day keeps the doctor away. Though that’s not literally true, apples do pack a nutritional punch. They are a fantastic source of vitamin C and fiber. They also promote good heart health, gut health, and can help lower your risk of diabetes. 

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All you need to do is pick one up, wash it, and start munching. 

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Peanut butter, on the other hand, brings the gains — literally. Peanut butter is a vintage source of protein, making you feel full longer. This can be especially helpful when trying to lose weight. 

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Don’t fret if you’re allergic to peanuts. Your local supermarket — and maybe even your nearest independent pharmacy — likely carries peanut butter substitutes, such as almond butter, cashew butter, and sunflower butter. 

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Greek Yogurt and Granola 

Another healthy snacking staple. Greek yogurt and granola are nutritious and delicious snack options that can get you over any energy or productivity humps. Just like apples and peanut butter, they are a superb source of fiber and protein. 

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What makes this healthy snack stand out from the rest is how you can have it your way. 

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Do you find the Greek yogurt and granola combo a little too basic? Throw some apple or banana slices. Why stop there when you can add strawberries and blueberries to the mix? 

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The key to healthy snacking is finding the right snacks for you. The Greek yogurt and granola combo is a perfect example of this. The term “have it your way” has never been more appropriate. 

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Your healthy snacking diet is a lot like your health journey: they are unique and different from everyone else, though you do have to follow some key essentials. Once you know that, the healthy snacking world is your oyster (extra points if you actually eat oysters). 

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Carrots and Hummus

Need a little more crunch? Are apples and granola not cutting it for you? Then look no further than carrots and hummus. 

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Aren’t carrots great? We all know their nutritional value, but a brief refresher never hurts. The health benefits of carrots include: 

• Helps reduce the risk of cancer
• Lowers blood cholesterol
• Helps with weight loss
• Improves eye health

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That’s right. Carrots do, in fact, help improve your eyesight as they are rich in vitamin A. 

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They are also fairly inexpensive compared to other produce items (Honeycrisp apples, anyone?)

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That’s only the tip of the iceberg — not the lettuce. Carrots are perfect dipping snacks. Depending on your palette, you can choose from ranch, hummus, and — you guessed it — peanut butter. 

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Carrots are extremely low in fat, calories, and protein, meaning they’re not super filling on their own. However, a dip like hummus can even things out, containing rich amounts of fiber, protein, and healthy fats. 

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If you find apples or Greek yogurt a little too sweet, carrots and hummus are a healthy snacking classic to help refresh your palette. Also, they’re here to help you chug along your health journey. 

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Dark Chocolate-Covered Nuts

Dark chocolate — emphasis on the “dark,” is a surprisingly healthy snack. Compared to their milk chocolate counterparts, it is rich in antioxidants. Add nuts to the mix and you have a sweet, savory, salty, and healthy snacking masterpiece. 

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As mentioned earlier, dark chocolate is healthier than other kinds of chocolate. This can make your shopping experience a little tricky. Keep a watchful eye on the kind of chocolate you’re getting before you walk up to the counter. 

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An article by the University of Wyoming urges readers to check the cocoa content of the snack. The higher the percentage, the more nutritional value it contains. 

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As for the nuts, the Mayo Clinic lays out the hearty (pun intended) benefits. 

• Improves artery health
• Decreases risk of blood clots
• Lowers risk of heart disease 
• Lowers risk of unhealthy cholesterol levels  

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Chocolate-covered almonds are the epitome of “delicious and nutritious.” Make this sweet and savory combo a staple in your healthy snacking routine. 

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Fruit, Fruit, and More Fruit 

Simply put, fruit in general is your best friend in your healthy snacking journey. Need some potassium? Bananas are here to answer the call. 

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On the lookout for some protein-heavy goodness? Avocados and guavas are right there. 

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Want a guilt-free, but nutritious and delicious snack? There is an endless amount of savory fruits you can choose from. And to top it all off, most if not all fruits have fantastic nutritional value. 

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Though you might prefer the comfort of salty chips and other saturated goodies, fruits are always here to steer your healthy snacking journey straight. 

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Though a good apple or banana might lack the satisfying crunch of a Lay’s potato chip, they will help give you something even more satisfying: a quality bill of health. 

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Conclusion

A healthy snacking routine is right there for the taking. Sift through the jungle of oversaturated and sugary goods in favor of some naturally healthy goodness. 

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Whether you need to fuel before or after a workout or need a pick-me-up during a stressful workday, these healthy snacking ideas are here for you. 

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And the best part is that they are insanely simple for all the nutrients and benefits they provide. The healthiest fruits and vegetables are right there to help you become your best and healthiest self. All you need to do is go. 

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