20 Easy, Breezy Summer Snacks Ideas
Article posted in: Food & Nutrition
Did you know that enjoying summer snacks could support your weight loss goals? It’s true: Research indicates that wholesome snacks can help you feel full in-between meals and help you get beneficial nutrients your body needs.
Whether you’re heading to the beach or taking a road trip, these easy, healthy summer snacks are great to have on hand when your stomach starts to grumble.
We’ve rounded up 20 snack ideas to help you stay on track with your summer weight loss goals while keeping hunger pangs at bay. Snack on!
1. Watermelon and Mint Salad
Watermelon is a quintessential summer snack. Dice up one cup of juicy, cold watermelon and sprinkle a few mint leaves on top for a refreshing and low-calorie snack. You could even toss in some diced cucumber and feta cheese for a savory salad twist! One cup of diced watermelon has 46 calories, so it’s the perfect way to fill up without adding empty calories to your day.
2. Jenny Craig Strawberry Cheesecake
Is there anything more refreshing on a hot summer day than a slice of cool, creamy cheesecake? Indulge your sweet tooth with our decadent strawberry cheesecake. Featuring a smooth, velvety filling and a perfectly buttery graham-style crust, it’s topped with a luscious strawberry purée that blends sweet and fruity flavors in every bite.
3. Frozen Grapes
Red grapes make the perfect frozen treat! One cup will only set you back 62 calories, too. Plus, grapes contain beneficial antioxidants, and are a good source of vitamin K and B. To help keep your portion sizes in check, measure out one cup and freeze in a small bag. Then you can easily grab a bag and head out the door!
4. Frozen Banana Dipped in Dark Chocolate
Frozen bananas can be a game-changer in the summer. Add a little bit of dark chocolate and you’ve got the perfect healthy snack combo.
Slice a medium banana in half. Melt one tablespoon of dark chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl, then dip the banana halves into the melted chocolate. Feel free to sprinkle them with coconut flakes or chopped nuts for a little crunch!
Set the chocolate covered bananas on a plate covered with parchment paper and freeze for one to two hours. Enjoy half of a banana as a serving!
5. Greek Yogurt with Fresh or Frozen Berries
What’s a healthier alternative to ice cream that’s just as creamy and delicious? Greek yogurt! Make sure to opt for an unsweetened plain varieties, as many yogurts can be packed with hidden sugar.
Scoop a half-cup of nonfat plain Greek yogurt into a small bowl and sprinkle a quarter-cup of your favorite berries on top. From raspberries and blackberries to blueberries and strawberries, there are lots of different options to choose from! Berries are another antioxidant-rich food and are a great source of vitamin C and fiber.
And if you don’t have access to fresh berries, don’t fret! Frozen berries are just as nutritious. Add some granola for even more flavor and texture.
6. Raw Almonds
Want to feel satiated until dinner? A small handful of raw almonds could do the trick. Beyond being a crunchy and satisfying healthy summer snack, Harvard Health reports that nuts are a good source of protein, healthy fat and nutrients.
If your goals include weight loss, you’ll want to be mindful of your serving size. Two tablespoons of almonds are just over 100 calories. Single-serving almond snack bags can come in handy if you need a little help measuring.
7. Jenny Craig Lemon Cake
Did someone say cake? Jenny Craig’s mini Lemon Cake will satisfy your sweet tooth without derailing your weight loss progress. Each perfectly portioned package features a soft cake with a lemon glaze drizzle, both bursting with tangy lemon flavor. It’s sunshine in a snack!
8. Homemade Frozen Fruit Pops
There’s no better way to cool off in the summer than with this healthy cold summer snack. All you need is some fruit, a little fruit juice, a blender, some popsicle sticks and popsicle molds. Make your favorite flavor or experiment with mix-ins!
Make a strawberry fruit pop by combining a cup of fresh or frozen strawberries, two tablespoons of apple juice and a squeeze of lemon juice in a blender. Pour the mix into a popsicle mold and freeze! To lightly sweeten the pops, you can try adding a teaspoon of honey or some stevia. Or, try mixing in some nonfat plain Greek yogurt for a twist.
9. Air Fryer Kale Chips
If you’re more of a salty snacker, these chips will be right up your alley! Kale is a low-calorie super green that isn’t just great for salads. It’s packed with vitamins and minerals including vitamins A, K, B6, C, calcium and potassium. One cup of kale only has 33 calories, so you can snack on these chips guilt-free! Learn how to make kale chips in the air fryer here.
10. Popcorn
Popcorn isn’t just reserved for the movies — it’s the perfect on-the-go snack that will delight your taste buds and keep you feeling satisfied thanks to its dietary fiber.
The American Heart Association reports a tub of movie theater popcorn can have up to 1,090 calories, so stick to making air-popped popcorn or stock up on pre-portioned bags from Jenny Craig. Our Aged White Cheddar and Sea Salt Popcorn are perfect for grabbing and going on those busy summer days!
11. Strawberries with Fat-Free Whipped Topping
Strawberries are perfect for snacking on in-between meals or enjoying as an after-dinner dessert. Slice up a half-cup of strawberries and dollop two tablespoons of fat-free whipped topping over them for a simple and sweet snack.
Included in a healthy, well-rounded diet, strawberries may help to support heart health, lower your blood pressure and increase your good cholesterol levels.
12. Green Goddess Smoothie
If you just can’t get behind the celery juice craze, make our slightly sweeter green drink that makes the perfect summer afternoon snack. Simply blend together spinach, romaine, celery, cucumber, green apple, ginger and lemon. It’s a great way to fit more greens into your day and reap the health benefits! Leafy greens could help boost your heart health.
Get the recipe below:
Ingredients
- 2 handfuls of spinach
- 2 handfuls of romaine
- 2 stalks of celery, chopped
- ½ cucumber, chopped
- ½ Granny Smith apple, chopped
- 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, peeled and grated
- Juice of ½ lemon
Instructions:
- Pour 2 cups of water in high-speed blender.
- Add all ingredients and blend until smooth.
- Add more water to reach desired consistency.
- Pour over ice or blend ice into your smoothie and enjoy!
13. Hard-Boiled Egg with Hot Sauce
News flash: The rumors that eggs are unhealthy just aren’t true. In fact, they’re protein-packed (six grams in just one egg!) and a natural source of vitamin D. Hard-boiled eggs are portable and make the perfect on-the-go snack. Sprinkle a little hot sauce and black pepper on top for a spicy kick.
14. Hummus with Veggies
This is one dip you can feel good about eating. Hummus is primarily made from chickpeas and contains healthy fats and dietary fiber. Scoop two tablespoons onto a plate and pair it with some sliced cucumber, carrots and broccoli. Dip dip, hooray!
15. Flavorful Iced Teas
Iced tea is an essential summer drink. Ditch the added sugar and it’s also weight loss-friendly! You can even throw in some fruit and herbs for a refreshing twist. Infused your iced tea with delicious combinations, from lemon basil to blackberry mint to peach ginger.
16. String Cheese and Apple
There’s something oddly satisfying about peeling mozzarella string cheese. It’s also delicious and healthy to eat as a mid-day snack! Pair it with a crunchy apple and you’ll get fiber, protein, vitamin C and calcium. Together, one low-fat string cheese and a small apple come in at around 150 calories.
17. Iced Coffee with Nonfat Milk
If you need a little caffeine boost to get through the day, this snack might do the trick. Just make sure to avoid adding sugar or fancy toppings like whipped cream to keep this drink from becoming a sugar bomb.
Unsweetened iced coffee and cold brew by themselves have little to no calories, so what you add to your coffee is key. Nonfat milk is a great addition and will also provide you with calcium and protein. Try to keep your serving to a half cup.
You can also add sweetness with natural sweeteners like stevia or monk fruit!
18. Gazpacho
Soup in the summer? That’s right. But this isn’t your typical chicken noodle — it’s served cold and is chock-full of nutrients!
Gazpacho is a Spanish dish that blends tomatoes, cucumbers, onions and other seasonings to make a chilled vegetable soup. Because its main ingredient is tomatoes, this soup is packed with nutrients like vitamins A, C and E, as well as calcium, zinc and potassium. Whip up your own or buy some at the store — just make sure to check the sodium content on the nutrition label.
19. Snap Peas
What’s crunchy, nutritious and great for your waistline? Snap peas! One cup of snap peas clocks in at only 30 calories. Plus, these crunchy peas contain immune-boosting vitamins such as vitamins A, B and C. Pack these in a snack bag and take them with you on-the-go!
20. Banana Ice Cream
Is it even summertime without ice cream? Make a healthier version of this classic summer treat with bananas. Bananas are rich in potassium which is an essential mineral that helps your muscles work properly (it’s why bananas make the perfect post-workout snack!).
To make your own banana ice cream at home, simply blend half of a large frozen banana with your favorite flavor, such as a tablespoon of unsweetened cocoa powder, a quarter-cup of blueberries, a spoonful of peanut butter or a dash of green tea powder. Have fun and experiment with your favorite combinations!
If you’re ready to get healthy and lose weight this summer, Jenny Craig can help. Get started with our weight loss program – just in time for summer vacation!
