A low-calorie, nutritious snack that fills you up is shown. It is an apple with nut butter and a sprinkling of dark chocolate.
A low-calorie, nutritious snack that fills you up until meal time? Apples with nut butter and a sprinkling of dark chocolate. (For Spectrum Health Beat)

Weight loss is hard work.

There is no shortage of factors that tempt us to get off track—cravings and hunger between meals, delicious snacks and stress eating.

During those tempting moments, wouldn’t it be helpful to know which options are smartest?

Here’s a snack list to help you stay on track during those tempting times:

Green tea

Sometimes when we are searching for food, we are just thirsty. To switch things up from water, try green tea. It has been shown to aid in weight loss by boosting metabolism.

Raw vegetables and hummus

Rich in fiber, veggies and hummus offer a satiating benefit as well as that crunch we crave in snacks.

Frozen grapes

When looking for a sweet treat, frozen grapes provide a way to savor the flavor—and they also feel like a frozen dessert.

Crunchy chickpeas

When looking for a salty snack, chickpeas fit the bill. It doesn’t take much to fill up on these fiber- and protein-packed legumes. Find them ready at the store or roast your own at home.

Dark chocolate-covered almonds

Dark chocolate has less sugar and a richer flavor than milk chocolate, so you’ll need less of it to feel satisfied. Add a healthy fat- and protein-filled nut and you’ll easily get from one meal to the next.

Low-fat cottage cheese, string cheese, Greek yogurt

Protein is one of the most satiating nutrients. You can’t find an easier or tastier way to get some than with some fermented dairy. Be sure to avoid the sugar-laden varieties.

Energy bites

Think of cookie dough in a healthy version. These recipes include fiber-filled oats and flax with protein-rich nut butter and … chocolate!

Apple and peanut or almond butter

Combine the protein from the nuts and the sweetness from the apple and you’ll have the perfect combination of delicious.

Popcorn

Another salty and crunchy option that can be modified in many ways with various seasoning blends to switch up the flavor. Just keep to the light versions.

Smoothie

Blend some frozen fruit with Greek yogurt and milk for a guilt-free dessert.

Fall bonus: Baked apple

For an apple pie-like option, core and slice an apple into quarters and sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar and microwave in a bowl with a little water until tender. Top it with a sprinkle of granola for a crunch.