Fuel Your Body with These Delicious Whole30 Snacks

Looking for delicious and nutritious snacks to expand your diet? You came to the right place! We’ve prepared 10 of the best Whole30 compliant snack ideas, made with whole, unprocessed foods and free from grains, dairy, sugar, and legumes. Learn about the guidelines for the Whole30 program, tips for successful snacking, and the benefits of incorporating these foods into your daily routine.

What Is the Whole30 Program?

Sports nutritionists Melissa Urban and Dallas Hartwig created the Whole30 program in 2009. The program is not designed so much as a diet, but rather as a nutritional reset. Hartwig and Urban used their own clinical experience alongside scientific studies to determine which foods may be detrimental when it comes to food habits, digestion, blood sugar and hormone regulation, inflammation, and immune health.

By eliminating the suggested foods from your diet for 30 days, you allow your body to cleanse itself while your relationships and habits surrounding food reset. After the 30 days is up, you can slowly begin reintroducing certain foods to your diet. If you find yourself reacting negatively to the food, then you know to restrict your consumption or cut it out of your diet completely.

What to eat on the Whole30 Program:

• Vegetables.
• Fruits.
• Unprocessed meats (chicken, beef, pork).
• Seafood.
• Eggs.
• Black coffee.
• Nuts and seeds.
• Olive oil and coconut oil.

What not to eat on the Whole30 Program:

• Added sugars.
• Dairy.
• Alcohol.
• Legumes (lentils, soy, chickpeas).
• Bread.
• Pasta.
• Grains (corn, rice, wheat).
• Processed additives (carrageenan, sulfite).

Benefits of Whole30 Snacks

Though the Whole30 program is often recommended by physicians to those with health conditions that may be related to diet, it can be beneficial to practically anyone! According to Hartwig and Urban, removing problematic foods may lead to improvements in energy, sleep, mood, focus, digestion, pain, and athletic performance as well as health conditions like eczema, migraines, asthma, and allergies. 

Registered dietician Sharon Jaeger, RD stated that Whole30 is “an effective way to learn whether you have food sensitivities.” The symptoms of these food sensitivities may include unexplained heartburn, nausea, bellyaches, migraines, bloating, and more. If you notice these symptoms returning after you reintroduce a certain food group, you may have a sensitivity to that food. It is also worth noting that Whole30 is not designed to be a weight loss program, but you may see a few pounds drop off along the way.

Remember to talk to your doctor before making any major changes to your diet like the Whole30 program, especially if you have any health conditions or a history with eating disorders.

Tips for Snacking Successfully

Part of the Whole30 program is getting your eating habits under control. This includes curbing cravings, which can be one of the major driving forces for unhealthy snacking. But never fear! That doesn’t mean you have to cut out snacks entirely. You just need to start snacking smarter. Here are some tips to help you get started!

• Eat satisfying snacks that contain protein, fat, and carbs.
• Only grab a snack when you’re actually hungry, not just craving, bored, or anxious.
• Use Whole30 snacks to supplement your meals early in the program as you find the right meal sizes.
• Incorporate pre-workout or post-workout snacks for extra fuel.

Examples of Whole30 Snacks

Feeling overwhelmed by that list of what not to eat? We’ve got you covered! Check out these delicious and easy snack ideas that use only Whole30 approved ingredients.

1. Apple & Nut Butter Sandwiches

Unfortunately, peanuts fall into the legume category, effectively crossing peanut butter off your list of snack possibilities. However, other nut butters like cashew, walnut, almond, and hazelnut are good alternatives. Spread some on your apple slices and squish them together to create a sweet and satisfying sandwich.

2. Olives

Check to make sure your favorite olives don’t have any added sulfites, sugars, dairy, or gluten, and you’re good to go! These bite-sized morsels are an excellent source of antioxidants and healthy fats.

3. Celery Sticks & Guacamole

If snacks are synonymous with a satisfying crunch for you, then you may want to try celery sticks in place of chips. Though you can also spread nut butters on them, homemade guacamole is another fun and simple way to bring in some healthy fats (via the avocados) and make this a truly fulfilling treat.

4. Prosciutto & Fruit

Any fan of sweet and salty will be sure to love snacking on this Italian classic: prosciutto and fruit. The prosciutto is a great source of protein while fruits like cantaloupe, figs, and pears provide much-needed vitamins.

5. Deviled Eggs

You’ll have to be careful when making deviled eggs that comply with the Whole30 plan, but it is possible. Simply make sure that your mayo is dairy-free and gluten-free and that your mustard has no added sugars. For an extra anti-inflammatory kick, consider spicing things up with a little bit of turmeric.

6. Veggie Chips

Veggie chips can be another source of satisfying crunch. Dress your thinly sliced raw veggies with some olive or coconut oil, add a pinch of salt, and toss them in the oven to cook. It’s that simple!

For the same great crunch without the prepwork, try popping open a bag of Jackson’s Sweet Potato Chips. Completely free of preservatives and made using only high quality ingredients like Heirloom sweet potatoes and premium oils, these tasty chips are a Whole30 friendly snack that is sure to satisfy your cravings. Pick up one of our great-tasting flavors like Spicy Tomatillo, Carolina BBQ, or Original Sea Salt at your local grocery store today or check us out online!

7. Lettuce Wrap Spring Rolls

Spring rolls are an excellent light snack to hold you over between meals. Replace the usual rice paper wrappers with lettuce, add some of your favorite veggies and a protein like shrimp, and you’re ready to rock!

8. Salad

Practically any veggies can be thrown together to make a yummy salad. Consider tossing any leftover vegetables from your other dishes in red wine vinegar and olive oil to create a light and satisfying mini meal.

9. Cauliflower Popcorn

Treat yourself to a bowl of cauliflower popcorn next movie night. How do you make cauliflower into popcorn? Easy! Grab a head of cauliflower at the store and chop up about half of it into your ideal popcorn-sized pieces. Then, toss it in olive oil and pop the tray into the oven to roast. Add your favorite seasoning afterward and enjoy!

10. Pumpkin Seeds

Dying for a little salt? Reach for some pumpkin seeds as your next Whole30 snack. Not only are these delectable treats a joy to munch on, but they’re also packed full of iron, zinc, and magnesium. For a little extra burst of nutrients, consider trying sprouted pumpkin seeds.

Whole30 snacks are a delicious and nutritious way to fuel your body between meals. By following the program's guidelines and incorporating a variety of whole, unprocessed foods into your snacks, you can stay energized and satisfied throughout the day while avoiding unhealthy ingredients. With a little planning and preparation, you can easily incorporate Whole30 snacks into your daily routine and reap the benefits of a healthier lifestyle. So why not try out some of these snack ideas today and see how they can benefit your overall health and eating habits?

Key Takeaways

• The Whole30 program is a nutritional reset designed to help you gain a better understanding of your eating habits and your body’s reactions to food.
• Removing problematic foods with the Whole30 program may lead to improvements in energy, sleep, mood, focus, digestion, pain, and athletic performance as well as health conditions.
• You do not have to cut out snacking with the Whole30 program. Just snack smarter!