15 Smart Snacks and Sips

Stay trim this summer with these healthy drinks and nibbles by Dana Gottesman Looking to slim down in time for swimsuit season? Research shows that eating small nutritious snacks between meals may actually help you lose weight. This summer, your favorite snack manufacturers have made healthful nibbling easier than ever by introducing a bevy of new diet-friendly products to the market. From fiber-enriched flavored water to grab-and-go nutrition bars, the tasty picks that follow are bound to quench your thirst and keep you satisfied, whether you're snacking on-the-go or simply lounging seaside. Take a Hint: This summer, stay hydrated with Hint Water's flavored waters, which come in new irresistible flavors like Hibiscus Vanilla, Watermelon, Honeydew Hibiscus and Blackberry. With no artificial sweeteners or preservatives and zero added sugar, these beverages are a terrific way to tickle your taste buds without tacking on extra calories. $1.79 per 16-oz bottle at most grocery stores. The Spice Is Right: For a guilt-free way to indulge in some sweet summer sips, try Oregon Chai Tea Singles. The all-natural fruit-flavored iced tea mixes are sweetened with stevia, a calorie-free herbal supplement, and come in tempting flavors such as Black Tea with Lemon, Black Tea with Peach and Red Tea with Berry. Simply stir a packet into a plain glass of water for a drink with some spicy zip! $3.49 per 10-packet box at grocery and natural food stores nationwide. Mini-Munches: Craving chocolate? Satisfy your urge with a snack-sized Luna Mini nutrition bar, which comes in decadent flavors like S’mores, Nutz Over Chocolate and Caramel Nut Brownie. Each 80-calorie bar packs tons of folic acid, calcium and protein, and is small enough to fit in your purse, so you can get your chocolate fix even when you're on the run. $12–$15 per 18-count box at lunabar.com. Do the Twist: Sure, CLIF Kid Organic Twisted Fruit is for kids, but we think even grownups will get a kick out of this scrumptious new way to increase their fruit intake. Made from real organic fruit and offered in juicy flavors like Pineapple, Strawberry, Sour Apple and Tropical Twist, each fruit rope is equivalent to one whole serving of fruit, making it easier than ever to meet your daily fruit requirement. 79¢ at clifbar.com. Take a Crack: Talk about self-contained: Each package of Eggology Hardboiled Eggs includes two peeled and ready-to-eat eggs, plus packets of salt and pepper, so you can enjoy a perfectly seasoned snack anywhere, anytime. The eggs are even offered in Certified Organic, Cage-Free and Original selections, so you can choose whichever variety you prefer. About $1 at health stores and supermarkets nationwide. Very A-peeling: Peeled Snacks Natural Fruit & Nuts Packs are the two-in-one answer to your cravings for something savory and sweet. The dried fruit and roasted nut mixes are naturally loaded with vitamins, minerals and fiber, and are even certified organic, so you can snack easy knowing the treat is as good for you as it tastes. $2.99 at peeledsnacks.com and most grocery stores. All Dressed Up: Tired of eating the same old salad? Add pizzazz to your greens with Wish-Bone Bountifuls, which are chockful of real fruits and veggies, and contain less than 35 calories per serving. Our favorite flavor? Berry Delight, a tangy vinaigrette that's packed with confetti-like bits of summer fruit, such as blueberries, raspberries and cherries. $2.79 per 9.5-oz bottle at grocery stores nationwide. Crunch Time: Why do we love Pepperidge Farm Baked Naturals? Because even though they're made from delicious ingredients like whole grains, organic blue corn and gourmet cheeses, each handful (that's 10 pieces) only adds up to 100 calories! Choose from six scrumptious varieties, such as Zesty Tomato Herb Wheat Crisps, Savory Cheddar Pretzel Thins and Toasted Sesame Snack Sticks. $3.49 at grocery stores nationwide. Easy Does It: Each sweet and creamy spoonful of Breyers Light! Yogurt is full of friendly bacteria called probiotics, which may help with digestion. Dip into yummy flavors like Strawberry Cheesecake, Key Lime Pie and Black Cherry Jubilee. 50¢ at grocery stores nationwide. Liquid Assets: Fruity flavors such as Peach Mango and Berry Pomegranate are reason enough to taste Aquafina's Alive Nutrient Enhanced Water Beverages, but with 10 percent of the daily recommended value (DV) of fiber in each bottle, there's simply no excuse not to give them a try. $1.19–$1.29 at aquafinaalive.com. Little Dipper: Looking for a satisfying, nutritious way to stave off hunger between meals? Try a 2-ounce container of Tribe Mediterranean Foods Hummus Snackers, which is naturally dairy-, trans fat– and cholesterol-free, and comes in savory flavor varieties like Roasted Garlic and 40 Spices. $2.99 at food retailers nationwide. Nutty for Nuts: Have a hankering for chocolate-covered nuts? Try Emerald Cocoa Roast Almonds, which have the decadent flavor of chocolate baked right in, so you can indulge without any of the excess calories—or guilt. Plus, the treats have all the nutritional benefits of regular almonds, including loads of vitamin E and hunger-fighting protein. $6.69 at emeraldnuts.com and grocery stores nationwide. Crazy for Cran: Love healthy treats but have a hard time getting the portions right? Each pre-portioned pack of Ocean Spray's Craisins contains only 100 calories, giving you a foolproof way to snack smart. Or, if you're simply in need of a midday pick-me-up, try Ocean Spray's Cranergy Energy Juice, which packs just 35 calories a serving and contains antioxidant-rich green tea extracts for an energizing boost. $3.99 at grocery stores nationwide. Fiber Fanatic: Have a hard time getting the recommended 32 grams of fiber each day? Metamucil is now offering a tasty new way to meet your fiber goal with their Pink Lemonade flavored mix. Simply stir a teaspoon of the tangy-sweet powder into a glass of water for an added 2 grams of soluble fiber a day. $7.99–$9.49 in the digestive health aisle at grocery stores nationwide. Bar None: Next time a snack attack hits, sate your hunger with one of Simple Harvest's hearty Chewy Granola Bars. Jam-packed with delicious, good-for-you ingredients and offered in tempting flavors such as Dark Chocolate Chunk and Honey Roasted Nut, they offer a truly unbeatable way to recharge. $3.69 per carton (six bars) at grocery stores nationwide.