By Heide Kennedy, Arizona Farm Bureau Communications Intern
We all know the feeling when a few hours after lunch, we begin to feel “snacky” again. Often, when it comes to buying or preparing snacks, our main objectives are to find a snack that is quick, not too messy, convenient, and fairly healthy.
While these are great goals to have when snacking, another snack food criterion to also consider is how they support heart health. Believe it or not, a lot of foods that are easy snacks also have a great deal of heart health benefits.
Check out this list of 20 dietician-recommended heart-healthy snacks: 
- Almond butter and fruit
- Grapes, cranberries, or pomegranates
- Avocado toast
- Hummus and veggies
- Bread and olive oil
- Tuna, avocado, and cucumber slices
- Tuna salad
- Salmon and crackers
- Walnuts and fruit
- Bean salsa and sliced bell peppers
- Popcorn
- Roasted chickpeas
- Edamame
- Pumpkin seeds
- Cheese and whole grain crackers
- Trail mix
- Peanut butter and whole grain toast
- Overnight oats and nut butter
- Corn chips and guacamole
- Yogurt or cottage cheese
If you haven’t noticed already, there are a couple of nutrients that all of these snacks have in common. These would be fiber, healthy fats, and antioxidants, which registered dietician Erica Ingraham considers to be the trifecta of heart healthy nutrients.
But remember, these are tasty snacks so watch how much you eat. Portion control still needs to be in place.
So, the next time that you’re preparing snacks for yourself, or shopping to replenish your pantry, make sure to incorporate some of these heart-healthy foods! Not only will you be satisfying your “snacky” feelings, but you’ll also be doing your heart a favor!
Check out these related snack articles from Fill Your Plate!