These low-calorie snacks keep you full in under 100 kcal!
4 min
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Whether you’re on a low-carb diet or just want some fresh and light inspiration, here are ten low-calorie snacks we can’t live without this summer. Plus: easy recipe ideas that can be whipped up in no time!
Calories are far from something to avoid! On the contrary, our body depends on them for energy. And our bodies work best with a balanced diet with high-quality carbohydrates, healthy fats, and proteins. You can combine our top 10 low-calorie foods with nuts or nut butters, avocado, coconut chips, fish, or egg, for example – and you’ve conjured up a healthy snack with a kick of protein.
Tip: Want to know more about a low-calorie diet? Click here for our low-carb nutrition plan!
#1 Melon
Refreshing, fruity, and low in fructose: melons grace our tables almost daily in the summer. Watermelon in particular has a low glycemic index and is super hydrating. It’s named watermelon for good reason! It’s made up of a full 90 percent water! So it not only satisfies that little hunger pang, but it’s also the perfect thirst quencher on hot days. Plus, with a fat content of around 0.2 grams per 100 grams, there’s hardly any fat at all. Like the best low-calorie snacks, this is simply refreshing!
- Calorie check: 100 grams of watermelon contain about 30 kcal.
Low-calorie snacks recipe tip: Watermelon ice pop
#2 Grapefruit
Good for vitamin levels and digestion: grapefruit is not only rich in vitamin C, but also lots of valuable minerals. The tart taste of the low-calorie citrus makes for the perfect palate cleanser.
- Calorie check: 100 grams of grapefruit contain about 38 kcal.
Low-calorie snacks recipe tip: Grapefruit protein shake
#3 Bananas
Admittedly, bananas are not one of the lowest-calorie fruits, but they provide energy in no time and keep you feeling full. So if your blood sugar level plummets during a workout, having a banana on hand might be just what you need. Other advantages: They contain a lot of potassium and magnesium, as well as B vitamins and vitamin C. If you don’t prefer it plain, how about making a delicious nice cream out of it? A great, low-calorie ice cream substitute for in-between meals.
- Calorie check: 100 grams of banana has about 90 kcal.
Low-calorie snacks recipe tip: Blueberry Cheesecake Nice Cream Bowl
#4 Berries
Berries are real powerhouses: raspberries, blueberries, and strawberries contain lots of valuable vitamins, minerals, fiber, and phytochemicals. They also taste fruity and are perfect for your sweet tooth – even though they contain little fructose. Thanks to their fiber, you can savor these little treats for longer. Together with low-fat quark, as a topping on porridge, or in a protein shake, berries are the ideal summer snack.
- Calorie check: 100 grams of raspberries contain about 53 kcal, 100 grams of blueberries have about 42 kcal.
Low-calorie snacks recipe tips: Vanilla Raspberry Shake, Blueberry Protein Porridge
#5 Tomatoes
Tomatoes are some of the most popular, versatile vegetables, and not only for their sweet, fruity taste! In addition to containing 90% water, these red all-stars contain a lot of potassium, as well as vitamins B and C. At the same time, they are extremely low in fat and calories. It’s no wonder that tomatoes are an important part of the Mediterranean diet.
- Calorie check: 100 grams of tomatoes contain about 17 kcal.
Healthy snacks recipe tip: Vegan tomato galette
#6 Artichokes
Artichokes also come from the Mediterranean region and are also an integral part of the Mediterranean diet. But even those a bit further away can benefit from their nutritional goodness. Artichokes are a real godsend – whether fresh or in a jar – partly because of their high fiber content. Artichokes taste great in a summer salad or on a low carb pizza.
- Calorie check: 100 grams of artichokes contain 47 kcal.
Filling snack recipe tip: Protein Pizza Bianca with artichokes
#7 Asparagus
A summer without asparagus? Forget it! For a few months every year beginning late April, the green and white stalks make an appearance on our plates. A real plus point of this veggie: just 100 grams of asparagus can cover about a third of our daily folic acid requirement. It’s also full of valuable antioxidants. And on top of that, it tastes delicious!
- Calorie check: 100 grams of asparagus have about 20 calories.
Healthy fats recipe tip: Protein pasta with salmon and asparagus
#8 Skyr
Perfectly creamy, low in calories and packs a protein punch: Skyr is an Icelandic yogurt, similar to Greek yogurt, that offers all the good stuff. And no kidding on the protein content, compared to most yogurts. There are approximately 10 grams of protein per 100 grams. In addition, like quark and plain Greek yogurt, it contains a lot of calcium, but it tastes a little more tart, which makes it a fresh choice on warm days!
- Calorie check: 100 grams of skyr contain about 80 kcal.
Perfect healthy snack recipe tip: Raspberry Acai Breakfast Bowl Recipe with skyr
#9 Cottage cheese
You can pair it with melon, cucumber, or celery: cottage cheese is always a welcome guest on a crudités platter. Like skyr, it contains lots of valuable protein, hardly any fat, and is light on the calories – but its texture makes it a perfect dip! Tip: With a pinch of salt and a squeeze of lemon, it becomes even more tangy and refreshing.
- Calorie check: 100 grams have about 98 kcal.
#10 Kale chips
Try this Kale Chips recipe to add a crunch anytime!
Summary
- A diet with fewer calories doesn’t have to be monotonous. There are many different foods that are light in calories and can be combined in a variety of ways.
- Fruits and vegetables in particular, as well as some dairy products, are nutrient dense foods and tasty snacks.
- In the summer, berry fruits and melon are great go-tos. Tasty nice cream can be easily whipped up using bananas.
- Vegetables like tomatoes, asparagus, and artichokes are particularly low in calories and taste fresh in summer.
- Dairy products such as skyr and cottage cheese are low-calorie and rich in protein.
- For a full meal or more satisfying snack, low-calorie foods can be combined with healthier fats and proteins.
Sources for this article
We at foodspring use only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial policy to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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