Everywhere you look in our food system today, it’s easy to find added sugar and sweeteners. Unfortunately, rather than being called out on the packaging, added sugar is often hidden in otherwise seemingly healthy snack foods. This can make it challenging to find snacks that align with your health and wellness goals.
The good news is that, with a few tricks up your sleeve, you can find sugar-free snacks that are tasty and curb your appetite between meals. We’ve rounded up 17 healthy sugar-free snacks to complement your on-the-go lifestyle.
Best 17 Sugar-Free Snacks for Satisfying Your Sweet Tooth
The modern snack aisle is anything but simple. When you’re looking for snacks that are healthy and sugar-free but don’t taste like air or cardboard, it can be a little overwhelming. But don’t worry, we’ve done some of the work for you. Here are 17 sugar-free snack ideas that are sure to satisfy a sweet tooth without derailing you from your health goals.
1. Raw Vegetables with Hummus
Veggies are among the healthiest foods on the planet and, honestly, we could probably all stand to eat more of them. They’re a fantastic source of fiber, an essential nutrient that most Americans don’t get enough of, as well as an array of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. Pair vegetables like carrot sticks, cucumber slices, bell pepper strips, or broccoli florets with a serving of hummus for a crunchy and nutritious snack. The combination of fiber, protein, and unsaturated fats will help keep you full until your next meal.
2. Greek Yogurt with Seeds and Berries
Plain Greek yogurt is creamy, delicious, and high in protein. Try it topped with fresh berries like strawberries, blueberries, or raspberries for an extra dose of antioxidants, fiber, and natural sweetness without the added sugar. Toss in some chia seeds, hemp seeds, or ground flax seeds for additional fiber, protein, and micronutrients to satisfy your appetite.
3. Hard-Boiled Eggs
Hard-boiled eggs are a convenient and protein-rich snack that can help keep you feeling full between meals. Plus, they’re good sugar-free snacks to prep in bulk for the week ahead. Just hard-boil a handful of eggs at the beginning of the week and store them in the fridge to grab and go. One hard-boiled egg provides around 6-7 grams of protein and is naturally sugar-free.
4. Mixed Nuts
Nuts are one of the easiest and best sugar-free snacks. A handful of mixed nuts, such as almonds, walnuts, and cashews, provides healthy fats, protein, and fiber to keep you satisfied. Keep in mind that when you purchase packaged mixed nuts, they often come in various flavors that may contain added sugar. Instead, head to the bulk section where you can choose your own combination of raw nuts.
5. Avocado with Whole Grain Crackers
Sliced avocado paired with whole-grain crackers is a satisfying snack that provides healthy fats and fiber. Alternately, smash some avocado on a piece of whole-grain toast and top it with a layer of thinly sliced tomatoes, broccoli sprouts, pepitas, and lemon juice for a flavorful sugar-free snack.
6. Cheese Sticks or Cheese Cubes
Cheese sticks or cubes are a convenient and protein-rich snack that can be enjoyed on their own or paired with whole-grain crackers and naturally sweet fruit, like grapes or clementines. One cheese stick provides around 7 grams of protein to help curb your appetite.
7. Sugar-Free Protein Bars
All too often, pre-packaged protein bars are comparable to a candy bar with how much sugar has been added to them in processing. Instead, look for protein bars that are low in sugar and high in protein for a satisfying and portable snack option. Get into the habit of reading nutrition facts and ingredient labels whenever you’re examining packaged snack foods.
8. Seaweed Snacks
Seaweed snacks are low in calories and sugar, making them a nutritious option for satisfying salty cravings. These sugar-free healthy snacks come in a variety of flavors, like sea salt, teriyaki, and spicy wasabi, depending on what your heart desires.
9. Edamame
Edamames are soybeans in pods and are an excellent source of protein and fiber. While they make a tasty addition to entrees like stir-fries, they can also be enjoyed as a healthy sugar-free snack. For instance, steamed or microwaved edamame pods are a tasty and protein-rich plate. Some people enjoy them plain while others prefer to sprinkle a dash of salt on top to enhance their flavor.
10. Chomps Meat Sticks
Chomps meat sticks are always sugar-free and packed with nutrients to curb hunger at midday. Choose your preferred protein source, whether it’s turkey, grass-fed beef, or venison. Each meat stick provides 10-12 grams of protein. Some of our popular flavors include Pepperoni Seasoned Turkey and Salt & Pepper Venison. For smaller appetites or sugar-free snacks for kids, check out our line of high-protein, sugar-free Chomplings.
11. Cottage Cheese with Cherry Tomatoes
Cottage cheese is one of the most versatile and filling snacks out there. You can make it either naturally sweet or savory, depending on what you add to it. Try cottage cheese paired with cherry tomatoes to create a protein-rich snack that provides a good balance of nutrients.
12. Homemade Trail Mix
Trail mix from the store is commonly high in sodium and added sugar. Fortunately, it’s super easy to make your own at home. Use a mixture of unsweetened nuts, seeds, and dried fruits like raisins or apricots for a nutritious and customizable snack that aligns with your on-the-go lifestyle.
13. Roasted Chickpeas
Chickpeas aren’t just for making hummus. Roasted chickpeas seasoned with herbs and spices are a crunchy and fiber-rich snack that can help keep you feeling full. All you have to do is drain, rinse, and dry a can of chickpeas, lightly coat them with extra virgin olive oil and seasonings, and roast them in the oven until crispy. Enjoy them by the handful or paired with other sugar-free items like fresh fruit or a cheese stick.
14. Sugar-Free Applesauce
Apples are naturally sweet and become even sweeter when transformed into applesauce. Opt for unsweetened applesauce for a naturally sweet snack.
15. Chia Seed Pudding
Chia seed pudding made with unsweetened plant-based milk and topped with berries is a nutritious and filling snack option. When combined with liquid, chia seeds create a gel that makes for the perfect plant-based pudding.
We recommend unsweetened soy or pea milk as these varieties offer more protein per serving compared to other non-dairy options. If desired, add some banana slices, peaches, or fresh berries to your finished product for natural sweetness.
16. Sugar-Free Nut Butter on Rice Cakes
Spread sugar-free nut butter, such as unsweetened almond, cashew, or peanut butter, on rice cakes for a satisfying and crunchy snack. For a nut-free option, consider an unsweetened sunflower seed butter instead. You may also opt to make one-ingredient nut butter at home. All you have to do is toss unsweetened nuts into your high-speed blender or food processor and blend them until creamy.
17. Vegetable Chips
Make vegetable chips using thinly sliced vegetables like kale, zucchini, or sweet potatoes, seasoned and baked until crispy. If you have an air-fryer, this is another way to create healthy oil-free, sugar-free, savory veggie chips.
Embrace a Healthier Lifestyle with Sugar-Free Snacks
It’s easy to consume more added sugar than we would like given the food landscape today, and packaged snacks are a common sugary culprit. When you’re looking to reduce your added sugar consumption in your on-the-go lifestyle, it’s important to read nutrition labels on packaged items.
Make healthy sugar-free snacks at home whenever possible, as this allows you full control over what goes into them. Rest assured that reducing your added sugar intake doesn’t mean your diet has to become bland. Rely on naturally sweet foods like fresh fruit and a variety of textures from things like nuts, seeds, whole grains, hummus, cheese, beef sticks, and hard-boiled eggs to satisfy your appetite and curb sweet cravings between meals.
