21 Expert-Approved Grocery Store Snacks If You're Trying To Eat A Bit Healthier

    All of them cost $5 or less.

    Courtney Leiva
    by Courtney Leiva

    BuzzFeed Contributor

    If you're trying to eat a bit healthier, you probably already know snacking can be the toughest part. Meal planning is one thing but snack planning is another.

    To help with that, we asked registered dietitians and nutritionists to share their favorite healthy grocery store snacks that cost $5 or less. All of them are ready-made, delicious, and also available on Amazon if you're avoiding shopping IRL right now. Happy snacking!

    1. Wonderful Salt and Pepper Pistachios

    Pistachios are chock-full of unsaturated fats and fiber, for a trio of nutrients to help keep you fuller for longer.
    amazon.com / Via amazon.com

    “Pistachios are one of the highest-protein snack nuts out there — with six grams per serving to help fuel your body with essential amino acids. Plus, you get unsaturated fats and fiber, for a trio of nutrients to help keep you fuller for longer.”

    —Amy Gorin, MS, RDN, and owner of Plant-Based Eats

    Get them from Amazon for $4.12, or at your local grocery store.

    2. Quinn Whole Grain Sea Salt Pretzels (Gluten-Free)

    These gluten-free pretzels provide crunch and a serving of whole grain, super food nutrition.
    amazon.com / Via amazon.com

    “People love pretzels, but most brands have the nutrition of stale white bread. However, these pretzels are made with whole grain sorghum flour, brown rice flour, and cassava flour, so you get an awesome crunch with whole grain.”

    —Dawn Jackson Blatner, RDN, CSSD, and author of The Superfood Swap

    Get it from Amazon for $4.99, or at your local grocery store.

    3. Justin’s Classic Peanut Butter Squeeze Packs

    This spreadable peanut butter can be enjoyed on its own, or on top of toast or fruit.
    amazon.com / Via amazon.com

    “This peanut butter has a creamy, no-stir texture, without any oil separation. It's delicious and thick, but spreads easily onto whole grain toast, blends into smoothies, and mixes well into oatmeal or your favorite baking recipe.”

    —Rachel Berman, RD and General Manager of Verywell

    Currently sold out on Amazon, but get it from Justin's for $5.90 (10-pack) or at your local grocery store.

    4. KIND Peanut Butter Dark Chocolate Healthy Grains Bars

    These bars satisfy your sweet tooth without the added sugar overload.
    amazon.com / Via amazon.com

    “When you want chocolate but don’t want to indulge in a ton of added sugar, these bars are a great choice. Each bar contains three grams protein and two grams fiber — as well as unsaturated fats — to help keep you satiated until the next meal. I like that the added sugar content is minimal compared to others in its category, at seven grams per bar.”

    —Amy Gorin, MS, RDN, and owner of Plant-Based Eats

    Get it from Amazon for $2.70, or at your local grocery store.

    5. Peeled Snacks Organic Dried Mango

    This peeled fruit snack provides 2 grams of fiber and contains 130 calories.
    amazon.com / Via amazon.com

    “This peeled fruit snack contains no added sugar or preservatives and has an attractive ingredient list of just one thing: organic dried mango. Plus, one half-cup serving packs two grams of fiber.”

    —Beth Stark, RDN, LDN, and recipe/content developer

    Get it from Amazon for $3.99, or at your local grocery store.

    6. Sabra Snackers Classic Hummus With Pretzels

    This hummus snack provides 10 grams of protein and 5 grams of fiber!
    amazon.com / Via amazon.com

    “This snack provides 10 grams of protein and 5 grams of fiber. Plus, it’s vegan so fits into almost any eating plan. This snacker comes with pretzels, which make delicious dippers. Though, if you are looking for a more veggie-driven option, you can always swap in baby carrots.”

    —Amy Gorin, MS, RDN, and owner of Plant-Based Eats

    Get it from Amazon for $2.99, or at your local grocery store.

    7. Jack Link's Beef Jerky

    This protein-rich snack boasts 7 grams of protein and 50 calories.
    amazon.com / Via amazon.com

    “This protein-rich, portable snack contains seven grams of protein per pack.”

    —Staci Gulbin, MS, MEd, RD, LDN, and founder of Lighttrack Nutrition

    Get it from Amazon for $5.82, or at your local grocery store.

    amazon.com / Via amazon.com, amazon.com

    “I love Simple Mills products and baking mixes because of their simple, easy-to-understand ingredient lists. These cookies contain nutrient-dense flours like almond, coconut, and flaxseed; have ingredients that you can identify and pronounce; and most importantly for a cookie, they taste delicious.”

    —Rachel Berman, RD and General Manager of Verywell.

    Get them from Amazon for $4.99, or at your local grocery store.

    9. Seapoint Farms Dry Roasted Edamame

    This high-protein snack keeps you full until your next meal.
    amazon.com / Via amazon.com

    "Dry roasted edamame is high in protein (14 grams per serving) and fiber (8 grams per serving), which are two important nutrients that help keep us full for longer. This makes it a good option to take on the go, whenever you need a snack to hold you over until your next meal.”

    —Brittany Crump, MPH, RD, LD, and founder of Savor Nutrition

    Get it from Amazon for $2.99, or at your local grocery store.

    10. GourmetNut Power Up Trail Mix

    amazon.com / Via amazon.com, amazon.com

    “Containing walnuts, almonds, dried mango, cranberries, and pumpkin seeds, this trail mix is not only yummy and filling, but it's also rich in antioxidants, heart-healthy fats, fiber, protein, vitamins, and minerals.”

    —Kristin Gillespie, MS, RD, LD, CNSC, and nutrition support dietitian for Option Care Health

    Get it from Amazon for $4, or at your local grocery store.

    11. Nature's Bakery Whole Wheat Fig Bars

    A box of Nature's Bakery fig bars
    Nature's Bakery / Via amazon.com

    “The perfect sweet treat packed with whole grains. This bar makes for a great snack option as it does not contain any high-fructose corn syrup. It also is dairy-free, which makes it a perfect snack option for plant-based eaters.”

    —Allison Gregg, RDN, LD/N, and nutritional consultant at Mom Loves Best

    Get it from Amazon for $1.19, or at your local grocery store.

    12. Enlightened Bada Bean Bada Boom Plant-Based Protein

    These roasted fava beans provide a helping of fiber and protein.
    amazon.com / Via amazon.com

    “Made from roasted fava beans, these snacks offer fiber and protein. They come in a variety of flavors that can satisfy any salty snack craving for far less sodium than traditional salty snacks.”

    —Jenna Gorham, RD, LN, and owner of Gorham Consulting Group & Link by GCG

    Get it from Amazon for $2.39, or at your local grocery store.

    13. POM Wonderful, 100% Pomegranate Juice

    amazon.com / Via amazon.com

    “When I want a refreshing beverage that’s full of nutrients, I grab a POM Wonderful. It has more antioxidants than green tea and every 16-ounce bottle contains the juice of four whole-pressed pomegranates and nothing else. This means you don’t get any fillers or added sugar.”

    —Amy Gorin, MS, RDN, and owner of Plant-Based Eats

    Get it from Amazon for $4.99, or at your local grocery store.

    14. Larabar Apple Pie Bars (Gluten-Free, Vegan)

    These flavorful bars contain only six ingredients.
    amazon.com / Via amazon.com

    “These bars contain only six ingredients: dates, almonds, unsweetened apples, walnuts, raisins, and cinnamon. Simplicity is key!”

    —Heather Hanks, MS and nutritionist with Instapot Life

    Get it from Amazon for $3.87, or at your local grocery store.

    15. Fresh Gourmet Parmesan Cheese Crisps

    Parmesan cheese is a rich source of vitamins and minerals.
    amazon.com / Via amazon.com

    “This flavorful snack is a great addition to salads, with some grapes, or enjoyed completely on its own. Parmesan cheese is a rich source of vitamins and minerals, such as calcium, vitamin A, phosphorus, zinc, copper, as well as a healthy source of protein and fat.”

    —Erica Fand, MS, RD, CDN, and founder of Jeweled Nutrition

    Get it from Amazon for $2.98, or at your local grocery store.

    16. Planters NUT-rition Mixed Nuts

    Mixed nuts contain heart-healthy fats, protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals.
    amazon.com / Via amazon.com

    “Mixed nuts contain heart-healthy fats, protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals, making them a satisfying and nutritious snack. These prepackaged snacks are gluten-free and don't have any artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives.”

    —Danielle Gaffen, MS, RDN, LD, and founder of Eat Well Crohn's Colitis

    Get it from Amazon for $4.69, or at your local grocery store.

    17. SkinnyPop Popcorn

    This guiltless, preservative-free popcorn contains 39 calories per cup.
    amazon.com / Via amazon.com

    “All of the crunch you crave. This snack also gets bonus points for being preservative-free."

    —Allison Gregg, RDN, LD/N, and nutritional consultant at Mom Loves Best

    Get it from Amazon for $3.57, or at your local grocery store.

    18. Dole No-Sugar-Added Fruit Cup

    These single-serving containers help you sneak in some fruit throughout your workday.
    amazon.com / Via amazon.com

    “Canned fruit can be just as nutritious as fresh options. These single-serving containers are also convenient and easy to carry with you for lunches, snacks on the go, or quick fueling before a workout.”

    —Cara Harbstreet, MS, RD, LD, and founder of Street Smart Nutrition

    Get them from Amazon for $2.17, or at your local grocery store.

    19. Orville Redenbacher's Popcorn Kernels

    Popcorn is a whole grain snack that packs in satiating fiber.
    amazon.com / Via amazon.com

    “Popcorn is such an underrated snack. You can buy a big tub of kernels and pop them yourself to maximize savings. Popcorn is a whole grain snack that packs in fiber to help keep you feeling full between meals."

    —Colleen Christensen, RD and founder of @no.food.rules

    Get it from Amazon for $4.99, or at your local grocery store.

    20. Dang Coconut Chips (Keto, Vegan)

    amazon.com / Via amazon.com, amazon.com

    “These crunchy chips are made from toasted coconut meat and are lightly salted to give them a delicious flavor, without adding too much sodium (only 110 milligrams sodium per ounce!). They contain six grams of fiber per ounce (plus two grams of protein) for a perfect snack to keep you satisfied in between meals.”

    —Staci Gulbin, MS, MEd, RD, LDN, and founder of Lighttrack Nutrition

    Get it from Amazon for $3.82, or at your local grocery store.

    21. NOKA Organic Superfood Smoothies

    amazon.com / Via amazon.com, amazon.com

    “NOKA Superfood Smoothies are a great way to fit healthy snacks into your busy routine. They are shelf-stable and completely portable. Plus, they pack in important nutrients like protein, iron, potassium, and vitamin A.”

    —Mackenzie Burgess, RDN, recipe developer, and owner of Cheerful Choices blog

    Get them from Amazon for $2.55, or at your local grocery store.

    *Note: Some answers have been lightly edited for length and/or clarity.

    What's your favorite ready-made supermarket snack? Share in the comments!