25 Healthiest Snacks You Can Buy at Aldi
Aldi has developed a cult following, probably due to the great prices the store asks for its high-quality products. You never know what you'll find when you enter the store, making grocery shopping a little more exciting. Aldi's fans aren't limited to funnel cake and chips, though. We've rounded up some of the healthiest snacks you can get at Aldi according to dietitians.
And for more, don't miss these 15 Classic American Desserts That Deserve a Comeback.
Simply Nature Raw Almonds, Pecans, and Pistachio Kernels
Chelsea Tersavich, PA-C, the Nutrition Outreach Coordinator for the PA Association, recommends this snack to keep you full and give you energy. "It's a great source of healthy mono & polyunsaturated fats, decent amount of protein, three grams of fiber, low amount of carbs, and no added sugars," she says. "It's also heart healthy."
She advises snackers to pay attention to the serving size, though. With nuts, it's easy to go over the amount suggested.
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Clancy's Baked Potato Crisps
Offered in BBQ or regular flavor, these crispy chips are a healthier option than traditional potato chips. Made gluten-free and without added artificial flavors or colors, they also have zero trans fats. The American Heart Association recommends avoiding trans fats because they lower your good cholesterol and add to you bad cholesterol, increasing your risk of heart disease and stroke.
Clancy's Pretzel Slims
Chloe Paddison, RDN, LD, Owner and Lead Dietitian for Cureative Nutrition in Savannah, Georgia, knows the power of snacking. "Snacks are very important to stay ahead of hunger throughout the day," she says. "We all know our mindfulness with food can quickly go out the window when we are hungry!"
She recommends combining snacks for the most vitamins during the day, like these pretzels with Simply Nature Garlic Hummus. She says, "About 10 Clancy's Pretzel Slims paired with hummus or guacamole balances the snack with healthy fats. The carb portion is crunchy, which helps with satisfaction."
Simm's Artisan Jerky
If bold flavors appeal to you, as well as a protein-centric snack, then the artisan jerky might be the best choice at Aldi for noshing. Available in Spicy Garlic, Aloha Teriyaki, and Bold Hickory, this jerky isn't short on flavor. It's also a good deal at just $3.99 per package.
Paddison recommends pairing the jerky with fruit for a more nutritious kick. "Take a 1/2-1 pack of Simms Artisan Jerky, the protein portion for our snack, and pair it with a fruit cup packed in 100% fruit juice or water to balance with some carbohydrate," she says.
Simply Nature Cauliflower Crackers
Do you mean that I can eat my veggies and have a cheese cracker, too? Yes, please! The Simply Nature brand keeps popping up on this list, but it's for a reason. Aldi's house brand is priced right, organic, and delicious. These crackers are no different. The serving size is generous, too: 44 crackers for just 100 calories of sea salt or cheddar crunchiness. If you're looking for a lot of snacking, they make a good option.
Simply Nature Organic Sea Salt Popcorn
Popcorn curbs the craving for a salty, crunchy snack, even when the salt isn't in huge amounts. "Popcorn is a great snack, low calorie, with fiber. This specific one has a decent amount of heart healthy mono- & polyunsaturated fats, three grams of fiber, and even a small amount of protein. Plus, it doesn't have much added sodium, which a lot of prepackaged popcorns have," Tersavich says.
Popcorn is typically salty, but the added sea salt in Aldi's version is less than other popcorn brands. And while this snack may fill you up, you can pair any snack with water to keep that feeling of fullness longer.
Fit & Active 100-Calorie Snack Packs
Craving a dessert? These low-calorie snacks can give you the feeling of indulgence without the guilt. Tersavich suggests making a combination of snacks for a nutritious option. "We all want something sweet once in a while," she says. "Although this doesn't have the balance of fats, proteins, and fiber I generally look for, this can be paired with a nut butter to increase healthy fats & protein for a more well-rounded snack. Compared to other sweet snacks, this one is low-calorie."
While the nutrients aren't as high as many of Aldi's other options, this is a far better choice than your classic, butter filled big cookie. The cookie is crispy and thin, giving you that chocolate chip cookie taste without all the extra fat and calories.
Simply Nature White Bean Chips
With just three ingredients—navy beans, brown rice flour, sea salt and sunflower oil—these chips have only 10 grams of net carbs, making them a much better choice for a low-carb diet than potato or even sweet potato chips. They are gluten-free and high in fiber with five grams of plant based protein per serving. Tersavich recommends a diet lower in carbohydrates for people who are pre-diabetic or diabetic. "They should look for products that have 15 grams of carbs or less. More fiber will keep you full for longer in between meals," she says.
Fit & Active Lightly Salted Rice Cakes
Another combination suggested by Paddison is this snack topped with peanut butter for ultimate snacking satisfaction. "Choosing balanced options with carbohydrates paired with protein or healthy fat is important to help balance blood sugars and keep us satisfied longer," she says. "If someone eats a snack with only protein or fats, lacking carb, there is a good chance they will not feel as energized and will most likely crave something carb-like in the near future."
Southern Grove Roasted Pistachios
Pistachios are super healthy—they're full of good fats, protein, fiber, antioxidants, and nutrients. While they may seem higher in fat than some snacks, Tersavich explains the difference in types of fat in the diet. "Not all fats are bad," she says. "Monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats are heart-healthy and potentially decrease the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes."
All but a very small amount of the fat present in pistachios is polyunsaturated and monounsaturated, making this nut heart health friendly.
Southern Grove On the Go Trail Mix
Portion control can be a challenge, especially when the snacks are delicious. This trail mix pack is not only chock full of heart healthy almonds, pepitas, and sunflower kernels, but it also has the mix pre-measured into the right serving size. Raisins add a sweetness for a satisfying snack.
Simply Nature Freeze Dried Apples
While Paddison would recommend pairing this snack with this protein, she teaches her clients to watch caloric intake to optimize their body's health. "I work with my clients on calorie awareness by dosing our calories throughout the day—responsible dosing of energy the body can use efficiently per sitting," she says. "A good dose of calories for a snack in between meals can be 150-250 calories."
A serving of these apples is 120 calories, leaving room for a bit of almond butter to make a perfect snack.
Simply Nature Apple Banana Fruit Squeezes
These fruit tubes aren't just for kids. Made with real fruit and no high fructose corn syrup, they make an easy transportable choice for a quick snack. They also have zero sodium. "For people who are concerned about high blood pressure, take a look at the sodium content," Tersavich says. "High amounts of salt can be a problem for people who have high blood pressure or are at risk for it."
Clancy's Vegetable Chips
While you might not get a full serving of veggies from a chip, having a straightforward veggie chip choice with simple ingredients can give you peace of mind. This chip has beet powder, turmeric, spinach powder, tomato purée, sunflower oil, and potato flour. It doesn't have artificial dyes, getting colors from the vegetables themselves. They make a much better choice to accompany your sandwich than a pile of greasy chips.
LiveGFree Multi-Seed Crackers
Need a cracker to go with your snack? Look no further than this mix of ancient grains. The whole grains make this cracker full of fiber, which regulates your body's sugar spikes from carbohydrates.
"Take a closer look at the amount of fiber. This is what will keep you full for longer between meals and has many other health benefits. It is recommended we get 25 grams of fiber a day, but most people don't usually get that much. Snacks are a great way to increase intake," says Tersavich.
Simply Nature Apple & Almond Honey Granola
Granola is high in protein and fiber, but it can be packed with sugar and calories as well. This option does have 1.5 grams of added sugar per serving through the honey, but it is only 120 calories per serving overall. Full of whole grains, it will fill you up and get you moving to your next task.
And if you're looking for a seasonal flavor, try the Aldi brand's pumpkin and flax granola, too. Pumpkin seeds have protein, unsaturated fats, and omega-6 fatty acids. Flax seeds are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, lignans, and fiber. Both ingredients are great additions to granola!
Perfect Bar Chocolate Hazelnut Crisp
Kale, flax, rosehip, peanut butter, lemon, papaya, alfalfa, carrot, and spinach all make the list of ingredients of this snack. It has 8% of the daily allowance of calcium and 10% of the RDA of iron for an adult. These bars need to be refrigerated to keep the ingredients fresh and ready to nurture your body.
Millville Fiber Now 90-Calorie Bars
There is nothing more convenient than a single serving bar to just slip in your bag and take on your day. This bar delivers a punch of fiber in a delicious package, coming in cinnamon coffee cake, lemon, or fudge brownie bar flavor. They have 5 grams of fiber per bar, which is 20% of your RDA.
Southern Grove Chili Lime Cashews
The person who came up with the idea of flavoring healthy nuts is brilliant. The spicy taste of these cashews satisfies cravings for other snacks without a lot of added sugar.
Friendly Farms Greek Yogurt
Friendly Farms is Aldi's dairy brand, following the store's concept of simple ingredients without a lot of additives. This yogurt is just 100 calories and is a naturally good source of calcium and fiber. Plus, it's gut-friendly.
Lifeway Lowfat Kefir
Kefir is a drinkable yogurt that's fermented and full of probiotics. Aldi offers it plain as well as in blueberry and strawberry versions to add to smoothies or just drink by itself. Surprisingly, this kefir is almost completely lactose-free and made with all-natural ingredients.
Aldi's Produce
"Ideally, snacks should be whole foods. Fresh fruits and vegetables, unsalted nuts, and hard-boiled eggs are great options that don't need much prep work," Tersavich says.
Aldi has a nice array of vegetables and fruits at excellent prices. To get the most out of your selection, make sure that all the produce looks as fresh as possible, because it can have a short shelf life. This is by far the healthiest snacking option, so feel free to pick up apples, berries, or veggies to boost your nutrition.
Happy Farms Light String Cheese
While this snack has a little more sodium, the fat and calories are low. It also has 5% RDA of Vitamin A and 13% of your needed daily calcium.
Southern Grove Deluxe Mixed Nuts with Sea Salt
If you can't decide which nut you'd like to eat in your snack, how about a mix of almonds, cashews, Brazil nuts, hazelnuts, and pecans? Not only does this variety taste exceptional, but it also has lower sodium than other mixed nut brands. As is usual for Aldi, the price is right, costing around $13 for 30 ounces of nuts.
Simply Nature Brown Rice Roasted Red Pepper Crackers
Whole grains and low sodium make this cracker a healthy choice. At just 120 calories per serving, it has no trans or saturated fats. It also has 21% of your RDA of Vitamin A, which supports skin health, vision, and a healthy immune system.
Note: Nutrition info is taken from Instacart but wasn't available for every item at Aldi.
