Sometimes you just need a convenient little snack to power you through your last few meetings or to tie you over until dinner. But, of course, most grab-and-go foods don't exactly have a reputation for being healthy. To figure out what you should keep stashed in your desk drawer (bruised fruit and stale almonds not included), we scoured product labels for the cleanest snack options out there. We limited our picks to snacks that have just five ingredients (and skip all the preservatives, additives, artificial flavors, and colors).
Not only do these options pass the test, they're also non-GMO, and mostly organic and gluten-free. Here are 12 great choices for your next snack attack...
Scroll down for 12 grab-and-go snacks with five ingredients or less.
Originally posted July 9, 2016, updated July 18, 2016.
Barnana Original Banana Bites
The original version of these chewy banana bites contains nothing more than two ingredients: organic bananas and banana powder. But even a few of the flavored versions, like banana coconut and banana apple cinnamon make the less-than-five-ingredients cut. You'll also get a mega-dose of potassium (of course) and 4 grams of fiber per serving.
EPIC Bison Bites
Beef jerky has become the healthy Paleo snack du jour, thanks to the fact that unlike gas station Slim Jims, healthier versions are now super simple and packed full of clean protein. This one is just bison meat, uncured pork, golden raisins, and chia seeds. They have an, um, epic 9 grams of protein per serving, and a hybrid sweet and nutty flavor to them that will satisfy both sides of your snacking brain.
Beanitos Original Black Bean Chips
When your cravings won't be satiated without a crunch, Beanitos are a few-ingredient alternative to the tortilla chips laced with ingredients you can't pronounce. Like plain old black beans that are a main ingredient, these chips are a source of natural vegan protein and fiber.
Nourish Snacks Cinn-sational
Nutritionist Joy Bauer's simple snack line makes single serving portions of creative non-GMO, gluten-free, and vegan options that range from salty to sweet and all blow trail mix out of the water. This blend of almonds and dried Fuji apples is seasoned with a sweet zing of cinnamon and sugar.
Angie’s Boom Chicka Pop Sea Salt Popcorn
Ninety percent of U.S. corn crops may contain GMOs, but this popcorn isn't made from one of them. And its clean kernels are simply popped in sunflower oil and lightly salted. Because, you know, that's the way popcorn was made before BPA-laced microwave bags and processed versions.
Lara Bar Peanut Butter Cookie
This isn't actually a cookie—even though it tastes a lot like one. It's just dates, peanuts, and sea salt, made into a protein bar that's also rich in the good monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats that are linked to great health.
Simply 7 Lentil Chips
The slightly earthy lentil flavor in these chips makes these a great partner for hummus (but salsa and guac will taste just as delicious too.
Kur Coconut Cashew Bar
This Scandinavian brands churns out bite-size bars like this date-and nut-based version, which is completely raw and certified organic. It tastes like a (vegan, gluten-free) coconut pie, with dates added for sweetness.
Earth Circle Organic Cacao Cashew Clusters
Walk away from the candy bar and go this route with nut and chocolate clusters, made with cashews, cacao beans, coconut palm nectar, and a sprinkling of sea salt. It's a (clean!) way to satisfy your hangry chocolate craving and get some necessary protein all at once.
Hu Kitchen Crunchy Banana Chocolate Bar
New York City's Hu Kitchen makes gluten-free, unprocessed goods on the reg, like this genius mashup bar of crunchy dried organic bananas, cacao, and coconut sugar. It's being sold in more and more places too, like Whole Foods.
Forte Truth Bar
When that 4 p.m. work slump sets in, chances are you're craving one thing: chocolate. This newly released snack bar is made with chia seeds, almond butter, cacao nibs, and coconut oil. Simple and sweet—literally.
RxBar Coffee Chocolate Protein Bar
RxBar's whole branding is based around the fact that they use only a few key, clean products per bar. Each flavor is packed with protein (12 grams on average), and this one has coffee, so it can replace your a.m. eggs and cup of joe.
Okay, so you have snacks covered, but still wondering what granola to buy? We round up the healthiest ones. And if you're looking for ways to get more protein, here are 14 dinner ideas, all with 20 grams of protein or more.
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