Quick and Easy Heart-Healthy Snacks

By Andrea Cohen
Published 9/8/2023
Dietitian Reviewed: Jane Schwartz, RDN, CLT
Quick and Easy Heart-Healthy Snacks
Photo Credit: Shutterstock

Looking to be good to your heart but can’t get through the day without a snack or two? That’s okay because snacking can be part of a healthy diet, as long as you’re choosing the right foods. These quick and easy heart-healthy snacks are the ticket to satisfying hunger between meals without sabotaging your commitment to your health.

What are the best snacks for a healthy heart?

The best heart-healthy snacks combine lean protein, wholesome carbs and a bit of healthy fat to keep cravings at bay. They also contribute valuable vitamins and minerals to your diet. Heart-healthy snack foods also keep blood sugar levels steady and don’t contain a lot of sodium, which can increase blood pressure. And when it comes to heart-friendly snacking, calorie count should also be kept relatively low (under 200 calories) to help with weight control. After all, a healthy weight is key to a healthier heart.  

With those heart-healthy snack tips in mind, it makes sense why you probably want to skip the vending machine at work the next time you need a midday pick-me-up. You’ll also want to think of snacks as real food rather than treats. Foods like cake, candy and chips may be fine to eat on occasion, but they don’t exactly top the list of healthy snacks. Instead, try some of the snacks listed below.

17 Delicious Heart-Healthy Snack Ideas (and Recipes, too!)

Stock your fridge, pantry and lunchbox with some good-for-you staples so you’re ready to grab a heart-healthy snack whenever hunger strikes. Each of these quick and easy snack ideas is under 200 calories per serving:

  1. Heart Healthy Peanut Butter and Berry Sandwich
    Photo Credit: Baldwin Publishing Staff Photographer
    10 mins
  2. Heart Healthy Blueberry Muffins
    Photo Credit: Baldwin Publishing Staff Photographer
    60 mins
  3. Heart Healthy Peanut Butter Dip
    Photo Credit: Baldwin Publishing Staff Photographer
    15 mins
  4. Heart Healthy Banana Protein Balls
    Photo Credit: Baldwin Publishing Staff Photographer
    75 mins
  5. 05

    Hummus

    1 cup sliced cucumber and carrots with ¼ cup hummus (try this delicious Honey Dijon Hummus)

  6. 06

    Sandwiches and Wraps

    ½ whole wheat pita stuffed with ¼ cup water-packed light tuna, lettuce, tomato and cucumber slices – or enjoy half of this Turkey Wrap

  7. 07

    Fresh Fruit with Peanut Butter

    1 apple or pear with 1 tablespoon natural peanut butter (for an extra-special treat, make these Peanut Butter and Apple Wedges)

  8. 08

    Cottage Cheese

    ½ cup nonfat or low-fat cottage cheese topped with ¾ cup berries – or enjoy Raspberry Yogurt Parfait

  9. 09

    Yogurt

    ½ cup plain nonfat yogurt mixed with 1 teaspoon honey, 10 chopped almonds and 4 ounces canned pineapple in its own juice – Honey Yogurt Berry Parfaits

  10. 10

    Rice Cakes

    1 rice cake spread with 1 tablespoon almond butter and sliced banana or try Peanut Butter Banana Bites

  11. 11

    Avocado

    ½ avocado drizzled with lemon juice and a dash of salt and pepper

  12. 12

    Nuts

    ½ cup unshelled pistachio nuts

  13. Heart Healthy Drizzled Apple Snacks
    Photo Credit: Baldwin Publishing Staff Photographer
    30 mins
  14. Heart Healthy Chocolate Almond Bark
    Photo Credit: Adobe Stock
    30 mins
  15. Heart Healthy Pecan Date Nut Bites
    Photo Credit: Baldwin Publishing Staff Photographer
    30 mins
  16. Heart Healthy Chocolate Hazelnut Toasts
    Photo Credit: iStock
    20 mins
  17. Heart Healthy Apple Chips
    Photo Credit: Baldwin Publishing Staff Photographer
    15 mins

For even more delicious and nutritious heart-healthy snack recipes, explore our snacks page and browse our full collection of heart-healthy recipes!

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