Intermountain Health logo

Please enter the city or town where you'd like to find care.

Get care nowSign in

Health news and blog

    5 Ways to Snack Like a Dietitian

    5 Ways to Snack Like a Dietitian

    happy food

    What is the criteria for a healthy snack?

    • REAL FOOD – Eat snacks with ingredients that can be found in your fridge or pantry, not those you need a PhD just to pronounce. Many of the foods in the LiVe Well Lane are prepared in-store, like fresh fruits and vegetables and snack packs with nuts, cheese, crackers, and fruit. You’ll also find yogurt, string cheese, and crackers with hummus.  
    • MINIMALLY PROCESSED – Focus on whole foods, limiting foods with refined grains and sugars especially. The nutritional bars in the LiVe Well Lane are all made primarily from whole food ingredients. You’ll also find a wide range of minimally processed fruit snacks and dried veggies.
    • HIGHER FIBER – Let’s face it, most of us don’t get enough fiber and our digestion suffers. In the LiVe Well Lane you’ll find tortilla chips made from beans, fruit squeezes with added chia, popcorn, bean snacks, and other high-fiber powerhouses.
    • LOW SUGAR – The healthiest foods can quickly become junk as companies crank up the sugar dial. Even seemingly-healthy fruit juices and dairy can have a lot of added sugar. Lower sugar milks, juices, teas, coffee, and Zevia are available in the LiVeWell Lane when you need a refreshing drink.
    • MODERATE SALT – Even though recommended sodium limits are loosening up, some savory snacks still have way too much salt. In the LiVeWell Lane s, you’ll find lower sodium varieties of jerky, nuts, and seeds that still pack a ton of flavor.

    Remember, even healthy snacks can become unhealthy if you eat too much of them. Keep a mid-meal snack to no more than 250 calories unless you’re refueling after exercise and don’t forget to plan ahead. Keep some healthy snacks in your home, workplace, and car so you’re prepared anytime hunger strikes.