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12 Healthy, Low-Sugar Snack Ideas

Whether it’s to start the day off right, satisfy a mid-afternoon craving or pack in the kids’ lunchboxes, snacks should be both nourishing and satisfying, rich in fibre and offer a boost of energy without being too sweet. Muffins, cookies, banana bread and smoothies; draw inspiration from these 12 recipes to renew your snack repertoire for the week.

Muffins

1. Berry and Pistachio Muffins

In this recipe, replace half of the required white flour with wheat germ and oatmeal to increase its fibre content. To enhance flavour, add a generous amount of berries (they’re naturally sweet) and citrus zest.

2. Bran and Date Muffins

What’s the secret to these incredibly moist muffins? Wheat bran cereal soaked in a mixture of milk, vinegar and vanilla before being added to the batter. To reduce the amount of sugar, opt for dates and their natural sweetening power. Don’t only include them in the batter, but use them as a topping, too.

3. Vegan Apple and Carrot Muffins

This dairy-free recipe, which brings to mind the delicious taste of carrot cake, is a must for snacktime. Some of the sugar is replaced with applesauce and the flavour is enhanced with spices like cinnamon and ginger. Grated carrot and apple add texture to the muffins.

Cookies

4. Reduced-Sugar Oatmeal Cookies

We’re sure you remember those huge oatmeal cookies from the high school cafeteria counter that all the students adored. The good news: We’ve made a version that comes close to those, while being considerably less sweet. Our oatmeal cookie recipe has one less cup of brown sugar than the classic recipe and is enhanced with ground cinnamon and ginger. Each bite of this soft cookie will take you right back to adolescence.

5. Breakfast Cookies

A breakfast cookie without added sugar is a great way to start your day! Rely on nut butter, a ripe banana and dark chocolate chips to bring that touch of sweetness. With the inclusion of oats, flaxseed and chia seeds, these cookies are easily portable and will provide the necessary energy you require for a hiking trip or before a hockey game.

6. Sweet Potato and Molasses Cookies

With a soft, cake-like texture, these cookies have everything it takes to steal the spotlight in your children’s lunchboxes. Mashed sweet potato is the secret ingredient that makes these cookies a hit, along with molasses to enhance the flavour.

Banana Bread

7. Bran and Five-Banana Bread

This delicious and very satisfying banana bread includes oat flour, five bananas and plain yogurt. With this base recipe, feel free to add 70% dark chocolate chips, chopped nuts or dried fruits to switch things up occasionally.

8. Reduced-Sugar Banana Bread

To adapt a banana bread recipe into a less sweet version, it’s not just about reducing the amount of sugar. It’s also about trying to replicate the same soft texture that sugar usually creates. To do so, substitute some of the vegetable oil with sour cream. The result? A tender, nutritious and absolutely delicious banana bread.

9. Banana Bread with Flaxseed

For lunches or hungry kids’ after-school snack, this banana bread with flaxseed definitely comes in handy. Make it into a loaf, or even as muffins for a quicker bake and a size that’s great for when you’re on the go. Be sure to add a good amount of pecans and dates, and this snack won’t last long on the counter!

Smoothies

10. Mango and Cantaloupe Smoothie

How do you make a smoothie that offers sustenance all morning long? By adding blanched and sliced almonds, which add protein to this fruity drink. The vibrant colour of this smoothie comes from the blend of mango, cantaloupe and orange juice. It’s also super easy to make, perfect to quickly satisfy any craving.

11. Vegan Coffee and Banana Smoothie

For a powerful start to your morning or for an afternoon boost, you can surely rely on this vegan coffee and banana smoothie. To the oat milk, simply add cold coffee, dates, almond butter and a ripe banana. Blend everything together to obtain a smoothie that is smooth, creamy and bursting with flavour.

12. Peach and Pistachio Smoothie

Plain Greek yogurt is the preferred base for smoothies. Why? Because it adds the perfect creamy texture and is a great source of protein. In this smoothie, combine the yogurt with frozen peaches and unsweetened almond milk. Garnish with fresh raspberries, ground flaxseed and pistachios for even more texture and flavour.

For more nutritious and delicious ideas, check out our selection of healthy recipes: