Breakfast, lunch, and dinner tend to get the most of our meal-planning attention, but snacks are truly the unsung heroes of the kitchen. They can power you through road trips and tough workouts, and pick you up from the dreaded late-afternoon slump. They can also help you stay on track and in your Points™ Budget. (Getting too hungry between meals could lead you to overeat or make food choices you hadn’t planned for—or both.)
That said, there’s an art—and a science—to building the perfect snack. “I like to make sure my snacks contain fresh produce, protein, and healthy fat,” says Leslie Fink, MS, RD, nutritionist and recipe editor at WeightWatchers. In particular, research shows the combination of protein and fibre is especially impactful to help you feel fuller, longer. The other secret to successful snacking? Plan ahead. It’s important to have a snack game plan, so your choices aren’t driven by whatever grab-and-go food might be easily accessible, explains Angela Goscilo, MS, RD, CDN, nutrition manager at WeightWatchers.
Just us, or is your mouth watering too? Enough talking—onto the snacking! These 10 delicious combos require zero baking, broiling, or sautéing. Let’s dig in.
Apple + Peanut Butter + Greek Yogurt = Apple “Fries" with Creamy Peanut Butter Dip
An elevated take on the classic apple and peanut butter combo, this recipe packs plant-based protein and fibre. You’ll also notice it calls for powdered peanut butter. While you can swap in traditional peanut or almond butter, powdered versions are typically lower in Points since they contain less fat, Fink explains.
Crudité + All the Hummus = Veggie Platter
Start with a colourful medley of chopped veggies, like baby carrots, bell peppers, celery, broccoli, cucumbers, radishes, and more. Whichever assortment you choose, you’ll be adding fibre, vitamins, and minerals to your day. Pair it with your favourite store-bought hummus or whip up your own when you meal prep for a healthy helping of protein.
Greek Yogurt + Onion Dip Mix = French Onion Dip
Want a more classic dip? Paired with those chopped veggies. French onion dip is the ultimate addition to any afternoon snack sesh or game day spread. Instead of mayo, Goscilo recommends mixing your favorite onion dip mix with plain nonfat Greek yogurt. You’ll get the same creamy taste for fewer Points and more protein.
Sliced Banana + Peanut Butter = Mini Banana “Sandwiches”
Filled with plant-based protein, carbs, and fibre, this combo is a standout choice any time of day, but especially if you want to nosh on something before or after a workout. Try making one-bite sandwiches with two slices of banana and a dollop of peanut butter, or whatever nut butter you have on hand.
Part-Skim Cottage Cheese + Frozen Raspberries = Raspberry “Cheesecake”
Pair frozen raspberries—or whatever frozen fruit you have on hand—with part-skim cottage cheese for a protein-packed snack that tastes like a treat. Frozen fruits are ideal when you’re short on time (no washing) or fresh produce (their shelf life is nearly endless). And since berries are typically picked at peak season, and then flash-frozen, they retain their sweet, tangy flavour and nutrient density.
Greek Yogurt + Blueberries = Blueberry Cheesecake-Yogurt Bark
Loving the cheesecake inspo but not the biggest fan of cottage cheese? Meet this melt-in-your-mouth alternative: Turn to plain nonfat Greek yogurt and your freezer to make this nutrient-dense, dessert-like bark. Once you have it mastered, experiment with different types of berries, other frozen fruit, and “crust” ingredients.
Sweet Potato + Avocado + Everything Bagel Seasoning = Avocado Toast
Call us basic, but we’re still all about avocado toast. For a slightly different take, swap the bread for sweet potato. Cut ⅓-inch-thick slices of sweet potato and then lightly coat them with nonstick spray and season with salt. Then, toast them 2 to 3 times on high until the slices are lightly browned and fork-tender. (You can also find ready-to-toast sweet potato slices in the frozen section of your grocery store.) Top with avocado and everything bagel seasoning, and enjoy! For a heartier snack, finish with a sliced hard-boiled egg to add protein. Feeling more sweet than savoury? Try sweet potato toast with banana, honey, and pecans.
Wasa Crackers + Almond Butter + Sliced Pear = PB&J
For a grown-up take on a childhood classic, Fink recommends starting with whole-grain wasa crackers, and then topping them with almond butter and sliced pears. Experiment with different fruit toppings—think blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, or apples—and see which combo you (and your taste buds) like the best.
Pistachios + Grapes + Swiss Cheese = DIY Cheese Plate
Sure, the to-go protein and snack boxes available at the grocery store or Starbucks are convenient, but they can also get costly. Instead, make your own. Grab a reusable storage container with sections, and fill it with a handful of pistachios, grapes, and cubed Swiss cheese. Fink recommends using shelled pistachios. “Eating them in the shell takes extra time and makes the snack last longer,” she says. Don’t love pistachios? You can mix and match any nut-fruit-cheese combo.
Peanut Butter + Chocolate Protein Powder + Banana + Oats = No-Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Bites
These no-bake bites give Reese’s peanut butter cups a run for their money: All you need to do is gather the ingredients, press Start on the food processor, and shape the combo into balls. Make a batch of the protein-powered goodies to keep in the fridge and grab throughout the week, or freeze them and defrost a few at a time. They’re also a great (not-banana bread) way to use ripe bananas before they go bad.