We're just a week into the new year, which means sticking to our resolutions is top of mind. Whether you're hoping to up your protein intake or simply cut back on the junk food, adding some healthy snacks to your pantry will help you stay on track to meet your 2026 goals.
While the healthiest snacks generally are whole foods, these are great pre-packaged choices for when you’re on the go. From protein bars to jerky, our team has personally taste-tested just about all of the most viral options generating buzz in the health sphere right now. Dozens of bags, bars and bites later, Shop TODAY editorial director Adrianna Brach emptied the office snack drawer in Studio 1A to share the full list. Because of their straightforward ingredients and high nutritional value, a lot of these favorites meet the criteria for popular diets, from keto and paleo to gluten-free and vegan.
To get the thumbs up on the picks seen on TODAY, we tapped two TODAY contributors: nutrition and health expert Joy Bauer and fitness expert Stephanie Mansour. So, rest assured that you can fuel up on these snacks guilt-free.
Feeling hungry? Keep scrolling to browse the best healthy snacks.
Healthy snacks seen on TODAY
Have you ever tried dry roasted edamame beans? These are so much better for you than chips or other salty junk food, but they have that crunch and flavor to satisfy your cravings. As a bonus, they’re plant-based and have less than 3 grams of net carbs, which makes it a smart choice for anyone on a vegan, dairy-free or keto diet.
“These are good! Some varieties are higher in sodium/salt than others, which may be a concern to viewers with high blood pressure,” notes Bauer. “But overall, great protein-rich pick and I eat ‘em.”
Another snack straight from Bauer’s own pantry, these treats from the aptly-named brand Solely have just one ingredient: mango. They come in a whole fruit gummy variety and there’s also a faux jerky that’s kind of like a fruit leather. They’re naturally sweet, so no sugar is added. This is a great alternative to fruit gummies or candy for kids and the chewy texture is really satisfying to gnaw on.
If you're hoping to get more protein in the coming year, we've got you. These bars were a standout among Shop TODAY editors who tried them out against a bunch of other popular protein bars because they're nothing like the chalky, heavy options you might be accustomed to. They're more like rice crispy treats, with at least 14 grams of protein and under five grams of sugar per serving in each of the 16 flavors.
It’s cookie dough, but make it way more nutritious! These protein balls are a favorite for those with a sweet tooth. Each pack contains four protein balls, 12 grams of protein and 11 grams of sugar. These are smart to have on hand for busy days when you want to curb cravings and tide yourself over ‘til your next meal. These are the standout pick for Mansour from our list.
“I personally can’t wait to get my hands on the Day Out Protein Balls — YUM!” Mansour exclaims.
If you want a more traditional chip without the guilt, Bauer says she stocks her house with Siete's options. They're made with cassava flour, so they're grain-free, and they use avocado oil instead of vegetable oil. Because of that, they have less carbs than your average tortilla chips, and they're also paleo and vegan. Instead of queso or dip, try pairing these with a fresh salsa to get extra vegetables or fruit in and keep it light.
These meat snacks will hit the spot — and pack a ton of flavor and protein in while they're at it! Bauer recommends these turkey meat stick varieties from Vermont Smoke & Cure and Chomps, which are both low carb and have zero grams of sugar. Right now, Chomps is having a site-wide sale, so you can stock up on favorites for the new year at a discount.
More editor-approved healthy snacks
A bonus pick from Bauer? Wegman's jerky snack with 9 grams of protein per stick. "I reallyyy like Wegmans' brand of rosemary turkey sticks," Bauer vouches. "I love and keep in the house."
Commerce editor and producer, Julie Ricevuto, is also a fan of Lorissa's Kitchen jerky, saying it's one of the more delicious options she's tried in addition to the 8 grams of protein and 0 grams of sugar. "I love eating the turkey stick after a workout to sneak in some extra protein!" she says. The brand also boasts other flavors, like beef jerky and chicken jerky.
“I first tried this drink at an event a few months ago and was pleasantly surprised at how delicious it was,” says associate editor Kamari Stewart. “I’ve tried several high-protein yogurts over the years and they all taste either too thick, too chalky or both. This drink goes down smoothly and I would’ve never suspected it was high protein if I didn’t see the label.
If you pull open the snack drawer in Shop TODAY’s office at 30 Rock, you’ll find a jaw-dropping quantity of these seaweed snacks. Writer Emma Stessman likes snacking on them for a salty, vegan-friendly option.
For a post-run snack, writer Jannely Espinal likes these protein bars from Barebells.
"The texture is soft and not chewy, it’s slightly sweet and doesn’t leave any crumbs behind,” Espinal reports.
Popcorn is a healthy, whole-grain snack that satisfies. This option from Lesser Evil is often spotted on the desks of editors around our office and contains just three ingredients: organic, non-GMO popcorn, coconut oil and Himalayan salt.
“My husband recently got into Good Gummies and I usually steal a few when he breaks them out,” says senior partnerships editor Francesca Cocchi Zabloudil. “We both love sour gummy candy, so it’s nice to have an option with some nutrition benefits.”
“Sometimes after dinner or in the afternoon — if I need something that’s going to keep me full until my next meal — I just mix some protein powder with water or almond milk,” says Stessman. “I’ve been loving the Ballerina Farm powders because the flavors taste like real chocolate and vanilla, instead of artificial versions... You don’t even need a blender bottle, I just do it right in a mug and it’s super smooth.”
Meet the experts
Our team features a range of qualified experts and contributors in our broadcast segments to reveal the latest in trends, remarkable sale events and all things shopping across a variety of categories. Products were independently chosen by members of the Shop TODAY team along with Adrianna Brach, Joy Bauer and Stephanie Mansour.
- Adrianna Brach is the editorial director at Shop TODAY, with over a decade of experience as an editor covering beauty, fashion and shopping.
- Joy Bauer, M.S., R.D.N., C.D.N., is one of the nation’s leading health authorities. She is the longtime nutrition and healthy lifestyle contributor for TODAY.
- Stephanie Mansour is TODAY’s fitness contributor, a certified personal trainer and a yoga and Pilates instructor. She also leads workout routines and challenges in the Start TODAY app.
- Shop TODAY is a team of shopping editors and writers who spend hours every day finding the best new products, tried-and-true favorites and more finds available on Amazon that are worth shopping, according to our high standards.
How do you add Shop TODAY as a Preferred Source on Google?
Google’s new Preferred Sources feature allows users to manually select their favorite publishers and news outlets for a more customizable experience tailored directly to the reader. Once you’ve opted to receive our content, you’ll begin seeing more of our recent and trending articles displayed within your Top Stories news feed.
The easiest way to add us as a preferred source is to click here and type in “TODAY.com.” Once the box is checked and you’ve refreshed the page, Shop TODAY content will start appearing in your feed.
How we chose
The Shop TODAY editors and writers search the internet to find the best products out there. We interview expert sources, comb through customer reviews and even use our own personal experiences to make shopping easier for our readers.
As an editorial team, we independently create content and determine coverage based on research, reporting and what we think TODAY.com readers would like to read about. The goal of our content is to provide a service and inform readers who are on the hunt for the latest products to help make their life better. Items are sold by retailer, not TODAY. Pricing and availability are accurate as of publish time. Learn more about Shop TODAY.
