Don’t rely on the same healthy snack day after day. Keep your day interesting with these 47 Macro Friendly Snack Ideas!
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What Macros Are
Macro is a term thrown around a lot now. It really is just a simplified version of the term macronutrient. The macronutrients are protein, carbohydrates, and dietary fats.
Some people with specific body goals will track what the macros are in the food they eat. By doing this you can tailor your intake a bit in order to reach a certain body goal. This habit is called macro tracking.
Why Choose A Macro Friendly Snack
These snacks tend to be balanced, healthy, and packed with nutrition!
If you are macro tracking, these snacks may be good ideas that fit in with your goals. You can alter their portion to fit in with your needs.
Even if you aren’t macro tracking, you may still want to choose a macro friendly snack for their health benefits!
How To Make Healthy Snacking Easy
Choosing a healthy snack may seem like it is something only other people do. The truth is, anyone can have a good-for-you snack if you put in the effort and thought!
- Make a list of healthy snacks you enjoy. Add a couple to your grocery list and pick them up on your weekly trip to the market. This way you’ll ensure you have options on-hand.
- Only make a few of your favorite options available to yourself at a time. If you can have all of your favorite options all the time you may get tired of it!
- Prepare your snacks! This may entail portioning out trail mix, cooking some chicken, washing your fruit.
- Keep an easy snack in your car, purse, and desk!
- In the morning look over your schedule and decide what snacks you should bring based on your day ahead.
- Have more options than you need! This way you always have a choice. If you are out and about and really do not want the snack you packed, you may end up grabbing something out.
A Word From A Registered Dietitian
Not everything you consume needs to be ‘healthy’ or macro friendly. All foods can fit into a healthy and balanced diet.
Use these ideas as simply that, ideas! This is not a strict list that you should choose from.
Macro Friendly Snack Ideas
Popcorn
This is a low calorie and high volume staple. A 2-cup serving of air popped popcorn is only 62 calories! Although, you may know that popcorn isn’t likely to satisfy you for a long period of time so pair it with a fat and protein source, add it to a snack to increase volume, or have it knowing you’ll be having a meal soon!
The most macro friendly popcorns are the individual serving bags or kernels you pop yourself. Some popcorns add loads of unnecessary fat and sodium with butter and salt!
Crackers with Cheese
This provides a carb, protein, and fat combo! Grab a few whole-grain crackers and 1.5 ounces of cheese for this snack.
Nuts
These are both calorie dense yet have tons of nutrition packed into the small package. Be sure to limit your snack to a serving or two. It is easy to overeat these!
Greek Yogurt Parfait
Greek yogurt, fruit, and granola is the ultimate macro friendly snack! Grab a single serving cup of greek yogurt, plop in some berries, and sprinkle on a little granola for a quick, healthy, and delicious snack.
Seaweed Sheets
Not everyone will be a fan of seaweed sheets, but if you like them they are a game changer! An individual package only has 30 calories. This is not a filling snack, but a flavorful item to have if you’re looking for a little mindless munching.
Fruit with Nut Butter
You can pair any fruit with any nut butter. A classic go to of mine is a banana with crunchy peanut butter but have you tried blueberries with almond butter!?
Protein Smoothie
A protein smoothie can still work as a snack if you add a source of protein, carbs, and dietary fat. One of my absolute favorites is my Creamy Lemonade Protein Smoothie. I used Ascent’s lemon protein powder in it. You can use my code LAURENK10 for a discount!
Homemade Muffins
I know muffins tend to be a dessert but hear me out… they can be made with mashed banana instead of sugar! My Healthy Pumpkin Banana Muffins may just do the trick!
Apple Sauce
This is usually left for the kids, but why!? You can get in a serving of fruit while still getting something sweet!
Deli Meat with Cheese and Crackers
A basic charcuterie board as a snack? I’m in! Gather a few slices of turkey deli meat, cheese cubes, and crackers and you’ve got the perfect snack!
Veggies with Hummus
Veggies are a very low calorie, high volume food. This means you can eat a good amount without it being too many calories. By pairing them with hummus you get some protein! (plus hummus is so yummy!)
Pigs in a Blanket
This snack is often looked over. It may not be too accessible but if you have some extra time make a batch of Everything But The Bagel Pigs in a Blanket. They are easily poppable so try not to eat them all! 2 or 3 should be a satisfactory snack.
Protein Donuts
Healthy Cinnamon Protein Donuts can be a fun way to have a sweet snack while still getting in some protein!
Triscuits
Triscuits have some great cracker options. They are made with hearty whole grains and about 3g of fiber per serving.
Hard Boiled Eggs
You can make 12 hard boiled eggs with less than $2 and a few minutes of boiling water! Hard boiled eggs are easy and fun protein.
Trail Mix
Trail mix is chock full of healthy fats, fiber, and protein… and calories. This is why you often times hear people telling you to portion out trail mix. Honestly, this is usually a good idea.
Air Fried Cheesy Zucchini Bites
Zucchini is a very low calorie snack. Add a bit of cheese and you’ve got a delicious snack! Simply cut the zucchini, add some cheese, and pop them in the air fryer and you’ve got yourself a veggie-packed snack
Check out my recipe for Air Fryer Zucchini Bites!
Apple with Cheese
Cheese and crackers are the go-to pairing but apple slices with cheese deserve more love. This combo contains: fruit, fiber, protein, dietary fats, and a good balance of flavor and textures!
Give it a try and let me know in the comments below what you think of the combo.
Puree Pouches
Many pouches come filled with fruits and veggies, but did you know protein-packed ones exist? Serenity Kids make one with grass-fed beef!
Bonus: they are great for on-the-go!
Frozen Yogurt Barks/Bits
What a frozen protein treat? Freeze some greek yogurt with berries for a new texture! These are great for those hot summer days instead of reaching for high calorie options.
Rice Cakes with Toppings
Rice cakes have a horrible reputation for being bland. Instead, think of them as a vessel for your topping (with some bonus fiber!).
Try topping a tomato basil rice cake with Laughing Cow cheese, a plain rice cake with hummus and cucumber, or a chocolate rice cake with a protein hazelnut spread.
PB2 and Greek Yogurt Dip
PB2 is powdered peanut butter. Basically, it is peanut butter with the fat removed. Take a tablespoon and mix it into greek yogurt and you’ve got yourself a peanut butter flavored, protein packed dip. Pair this with fruit or eat it straight with a spoon!
Edamame
Edamame is a GREAT source of protein! You can find edamame in or out of their shell. You can snack on them to get in some easy protein.
Peppers with Salsa
This will be a very low calorie snack. Both bell peppers and (no sugar added) salsa have minimal calories, making this a great option when your macros for the day are getting tight but you are snacky.
Carrot Sticks
Baby carrots are a classic but have you seen the carrot sticks? They come in a similar package as baby carrots but are longer, thin pieces. Swap out your carrot shape if you’re getting sick of the same-old-same-old!
Tuna with Veggies
Tuna is an easily forgotten protein source! Have some tuna on veggies for a healthy, balanced snack. Be sure to not add too much mayonnaise to your tuna mixture!
Eggs Cups
These are like mini omelettes made in cupcake pans. You can add protein packed eggs with veggies to make a simple and easy snack!
Pita with Hummus
Hummus is mainly made from olive oil and chickpeas and pita are light and airy bread that pair together perfectly. This is a yummy snack to nibble on.
Homemade Protein Balls
Protein balls are a basic way to get in some poppable protein. With these, you need to ensure you enjoy them in moderation as they can sometimes be too poppable!
Cottage Cheese with Fruit
Cottage cheese has made a come back, and for good reason! It is packed full of protein and just as versatile as greek yogurt!
If you don’t enjoy the texture of the curds, try whizzing it a bit in a food processor for a creamy result.
Cereal
Not all cereal is created equally. Choose a low sugar and high fiber cereal. If you are able to find one with protein, such as Premier Protein’s. Then, be sure to use skim milk or a protein beverage for the liquid. By doing this you’ll get in even more protein!
Remember: it’s easy to go overboard on cereal consumption. Be sure to pour your portion then put the box and milk away so you are less likely to go back for more.
Protein Bar
Granola bars and protein bars are both good snack options. Decide which you will reach for based on your macros. A granola bar is typically 100-200 calories with more carbs or fat. A protein bar may have more calories, but should also have at least 10g of protein.
A recent favorite of mine are the Chocolate and Pretzel Nugo Bars! They are so sweet, it feels like I am eating a candy bar!
Bell Pepper Poppers
Prep a batch of Mini Bell Pepper Poppers at the beginning of the week. Then, when you get peckish you can warm a few up and quickly have a satisfying snack.
Buffalo Chicken Dip
This dish is usually reserved for tailgates and parties, but who says it can’t be made for a snack!? Bake a batch using chicken, buffalo sauce, greek yogurt, and spices to pair with celery sticks and you’re getting in flavorful protein with veggies!
Tortilla Chips with Guacamole
Opt for a whole grain tortilla chip with fresh guacamole. You can quickly go overboard on this snack, so be sure to portion yourself.
Jerky/Meat Sticks
These are easy protein sources to grab on the go, or when you are just hungry at home!
Cucumber with Tzatziki
Cucumber is a source of both fiber and water while tzatziki is a dip with protein! With this duo you get some greta nutrition!
Fruit
This is a macro friendly go-to. Grabbing an apple or handful of grapes is an easy option to nibble on without it being high in calories.
Remember: If you have heard fruit has too much sugar and it should be avoided… don’t listen! As a registered dietitian I will not be telling you to not eat a piece of fruit!
Mini Bagel with Cream Cheese
Did you know a full bagel is considered two grain servings? This isn’t bad, just something not many are aware of!
Try a mini bagel with some cream cheese quick a little snack.
Sargento Balanced Breaks
These are such an underrated snack! They are proportioned snacks that come in a variety of flavors. They are a bit pricey but go on sale often!
If you have an issue with having portion sizes, this may be a good snack option for you.
Stuffed Dates
Dates naturally have a sweet caramel flavor, making them the perfect vessel for a sweet and savory snack. Try my Stuffed Dates with Cream Cheese and Pistachio for a fun and exciting snack.
The thing is, dates have about 100 calories each. So, try not to go overboard on the stuffed dates!
Chia Pudding
Chia pudding is a low calorie way to up your fiber intake. There are tons of ways to jazz up a chia pudding.
Try my Simple Matcha Chia Seed Pudding.
Harvest Snaps
This is a baked lentil snack. They are full of flavor and an entire bag has 16g of protein!
Air Fried Chickpeas
You can purchase these from your grocery store snack aisle or you can make your own! These make for a healthy, crunchy, and vegan snack.
Mini Quesadilla
A mini quesadilla cna be a delicious way to cure those mid afternoon munchies without ruining your dinner. Use a mini or a low-calorie tortilla and add some protein and veggies. This is a satisfying way to get a balanced snack, in a proper snack sized portion.
Banana Sundae
Make yourself something fun! This takes a classic banana split and makes it into a nourishing snack.
1. Add greek yogurt to a bowl; this will act as your ice cream.
2. Plop in your banana.
3. Add your toppings: sliced nuts, light whipped cream, sprinkles, and fruit
4. Don’t forget the cherry on top!
Sugar-Free Jello
Jell-O can be a quick and delicious treat. Be sure you grab the sugar-free version!
Fruit Pizza
Make yourself a Healthy Fruit Pizza with Granola Crust at the beginning of the week. Then, you can grab a slice as a delicious snack whenever you need!
Craving More?
If you are interested in more nutrition related information read some of my other articles!:
- 11 Hacks to Drink More Water
- Fiber: An Important Carbohydrate
- The Basics of Added Sugar
- Surprising Sources of Protein
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