{"id":865280,"date":"2026-06-13T20:58:19","date_gmt":"2026-06-13T20:58:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/865280\/"},"modified":"2026-06-13T20:58:19","modified_gmt":"2026-06-13T20:58:19","slug":"we-asked-dietitians-to-name-the-healthiest-packaged-snack-they-all-chose-the-same-one","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/865280\/","title":{"rendered":"We Asked Dietitians to Name the Healthiest Packaged Snack\u2014They All Chose the Same One"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>Reviewed by Dietitian Lisa Valente, M.S., RD<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><img alt=\"Credit: Design elements: Getty Images. EatingWell design.\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"960\" height=\"640\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"standard-img w-full w-full h-auto\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/https:\/\/media.zenfs.com\/en\/aol_eating_well_articles_739\/f09f79f01a3d8442afecb4ced81afb4d.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Credit: Design elements: Getty Images. EatingWell design.<\/p>\n<p>Key Points<\/p>\n<ul class=\"content-list\">\n<li class=\"list-disc\">\n<p>Packaged snacks aren&#8217;t always nutritious, but dietitians like roasted chickpeas.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"list-disc\">\n<p>They&#8217;re rich in fiber and protein to help lower cholesterol and improve digestion.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"list-disc\">\n<p>Dietitians also recommend snacking mindfully and planning snacks ahead of time.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>We all hear a lot these days about how we should eat fewer processed foods\u2014like packaged snacks. With health harms like higher risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes and even mental health disorders linked to eating more so-called <a data-ylk=\"slk:ultra-processed foods;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.eatingwell.com\/ultra-processed-foods-cardiovascular-disease-risk-8708994\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">ultra-processed foods<\/a>, you might get the impression that anything in a package is off-limits. But that&#8217;s not quite the case.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Packaged snacks can absolutely be part of a healthy diet,&#8221; says<a data-ylk=\"slk:Amanda Crowe, M.S., RD;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas;\" href=\"https:\/\/drivebynutrition.com\/about\/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" target=\"_blank\"> Amanda Crowe, M.S., RD<\/a>. &#8220;For many people, having a convenient snack on hand can help bridge the gap between meals, prevent excessive hunger and make it easier to stick with healthy eating habits when life gets busy.&#8221; When you need something portable\u2014and actually good for you\u2014Crowe recommends options that provide protein and fiber for fullness and energy levels. Not surprisingly, when we polled four dietitians for their favorite packaged snack, they all named one that supplies these two nutrients in spades: roasted chickpeas. Here&#8217;s why these crispy nibbles are a favorite among nutrition experts.<\/p>\n<p><img alt=\"Credit: Courtesy of Brand\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"960\" height=\"640\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"standard-img w-full w-full h-auto\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/https:\/\/media.zenfs.com\/en\/aol_eating_well_articles_739\/4873e5f481f205bbd4b269dad7aa6908.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Credit: Courtesy of Brand<\/p>\n<p>Roasted Chickpeas Are Good for Your Cholesterol<\/p>\n<p>Skip the chips and try roasted chickpeas to <a data-ylk=\"slk:support your heart;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.eatingwell.com\/heart-healthy-habits-for-summer-11766478\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">support your heart<\/a>. Packaged roasted chickpeas can be a good source of soluble fiber, the type that helps lower cholesterol. <a data-ylk=\"slk:Amy Brownstein, M.S., RD,;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.eatingwell.com\/amy-brownstein-8753957\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">Amy Brownstein, M.S., RD,<\/a> notes that she appreciates their fiber and protein. She adds, &#8220;Plus, their crunchy texture makes them a satisfying swap for chips or other salty snacks that are often higher in saturated fat and lower in fiber.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Different brands and flavors contain different levels of sodium (an important nutrient to limit for heart health). &#8220;Make sure to double-check the label and monitor portions if you&#8217;re watching your sodium intake,&#8221; Brownstein suggests.<\/p>\n<p>Roasted Chickpeas Help Keep You Full<\/p>\n<p>Ever downed a packaged snack and felt hungry half an hour later? While eating on the go lends itself to less-than-mindful eating (which might leave you hungry), snacks&#8217; nutritional value also contributes to their satiation factor.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;One of the reasons I like roasted chickpeas as a snack is that they can help keep you satisfied between meals,&#8221; says<a data-ylk=\"slk:Samantha DeVito, M.S., RD;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas;\" href=\"http:\/\/samanthadevitonutrition.com\/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" target=\"_blank\"> Samantha DeVito, M.S., RD<\/a>. &#8220;Unlike snacks that are mostly refined carbohydrates, roasted chickpeas provide a combination of plant-based protein and fiber, which can help curb hunger and support more stable energy levels throughout the day.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Roasted Chickpeas Promote Healthy Digestion<\/p>\n<p>Pulses (a category of edible seeds that includes beans and legumes, including chickpeas) are famous for their fiber content. Fortunately, roasting doesn&#8217;t diminish the fiber inherent in these tasty little nuggets. A 1-ounce serving of roasted chickpeas has about 5 grams of fiber.<\/p>\n<p>All that fiber comes with big benefits for your digestion. &#8220;Fiber helps support regular bowel movements and contributes to a healthy gut microbiome,&#8221; says Crowe. Since most Americans fall short on fiber recommendations, snack time is a great opportunity to fill in the gaps.<\/p>\n<p>Roasted Chickpeas Are a Surprising Source of Micronutrients<\/p>\n<p>Amid the focus on nutritional &#8220;giants&#8221; like protein and fiber, it&#8217;s easy to forget about the little guys: micronutrients. Yet, these smaller vitamins and minerals are extremely important for health, and roasted chickpeas are rich in several of them. &#8220;Chickpeas are often overlooked for their manganese, iron and folate content,&#8221; says<a data-ylk=\"slk:Haley Bishoff, RDN;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.rutsunutrition.com\/about\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" target=\"_blank\"> Haley Bishoff, RDN<\/a>. &#8220;Together, these micronutrients support bones, sustained energy and cell repair, making roasted chickpeas a genuinely nutrient-dense snack option.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Most micronutrients are optional for food manufacturers to list on the <a data-ylk=\"slk:Nutrition Facts label;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.eatingwell.com\/things-i-check-first-on-the-nutrition-label-8548484\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">Nutrition Facts label<\/a>\u2014so you won&#8217;t always see them reflected on packaging. But that doesn&#8217;t mean they&#8217;re not there.<\/p>\n<p>Other Tips for Healthy Snacks<\/p>\n<p>Healthy snacking is a habit well worth cultivating, whether that looks like grabbing a bag of roasted chickpeas or other good-for-you choices. Try incorporating these tips for more nutritious noshing:<\/p>\n<ul class=\"content-list\">\n<li class=\"list-disc\">\n<p><strong>Practice <\/strong><a data-ylk=\"slk:mindful snacking;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.eatingwell.com\/what-is-mindful-eating-11892621\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>mindful snacking<\/strong><\/a>. Snacking might be the eating occasion where it&#8217;s easiest to eat mindlessly. Brownstein encourages limiting distractions and giving a snack your full attention whenever possible. &#8220;Instead of bringing the bag of snacks with you to your desk, consider portioning out the snack into a bowl, then practicing mindful eating strategies to help derive greater satisfaction from your snack,&#8221; she says.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"list-disc\">\n<p><strong>Prep your snacks<\/strong>. Meal prep isn&#8217;t just for meals. Bishoff suggests incorporating snack preparation into your routine. &#8220;Pre-portion snacks from bulk packages into individual containers or bags so when hunger hits, the decision is already made.&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"list-disc\">\n<p><strong>Prioritize satisfaction over calories.<\/strong> According to Crowe, the nutrient composition of a snack usually matters more than its calorie count. &#8220;A snack that includes protein, fiber or healthy fats is often more satisfying than a snack made primarily of refined carbohydrates,&#8221; she says. Since the goal is to tide yourself over between meals, choose snacks with meaningful amounts of macros.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"list-disc\">\n<p><strong>Enjoy! <\/strong>There&#8217;s no sense in snacking on foods you simply don&#8217;t like. &#8220;Healthy eating isn&#8217;t about finding the &#8216;perfect&#8217; food; it&#8217;s about building habits you can maintain long-term,&#8221; says DeVito. &#8220;If you enjoy a snack and it helps you feel energized and satisfied, it&#8217;s much more likely to become part of a sustainable routine.&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Our Expert Take<\/p>\n<p>It&#8217;s true that processed, packaged snacks aren&#8217;t always as nutrient-dense as whole fruits and veggies, grains or dairy products. But that doesn&#8217;t mean everything in a package is at odds with wellness. Some portable, easy-packing foods have their place in a healthy diet. Try roasted chickpeas. If you ask dietitians, their high fiber, ample protein and micronutrients make these snacks &#8220;cool beans.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Read the original article on <a data-ylk=\"slk:EatingWell;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.eatingwell.com\/healthiest-packaged-snack-according-to-dietitians-11994183\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">EatingWell<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Reviewed by Dietitian Lisa Valente, M.S., RD Credit: Design elements: Getty Images. EatingWell design. Key Points Packaged snacks&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":865281,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","_share_on_mastodon":"0"},"categories":[11],"tags":[281621,352680,352681,72174,210,63200,51668,1929,352678,352679,86298,67,132,68],"class_list":["post-865280","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-health","tag-amanda-crowe","tag-amy-brownstein","tag-brownstein","tag-energy-levels","tag-health","tag-healthy-diet","tag-processed-foods","tag-protein","tag-roasted-chickpeas","tag-salty-snacks","tag-soluble-fiber","tag-united-states","tag-unitedstates","tag-us"],"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@us\/116744809654372120","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/865280","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=865280"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/865280\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/865281"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=865280"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=865280"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=865280"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}