THE CARNIVORE DIET BENEFITS
The best whole foods snacks belong in anyone’s diet. There’s no need to settle for super-processed junk when Mother Nature has provided everything you need!
The problem is, most whole-food snacks are a bit bland. Snacking on hard-boiled eggs or veggie chips isn’t exactly going to satisfy cravings. You just need to get a bit more creative, and we’re here to help share some ideas so you can round out your regimen with tasty snacks that actually deliver real nutrients.
From our one-of-a-kind meat chips to DIY energy balls, find your new favorite snacks below!
What Are Whole Food Snacks?
We first want to get a little more specific about what we’re referring to with “whole food” snacks. No, these aren’t the best snacks from Whole Foods, the grocery store. The truth is, a lot of the snacks lining those aisles aren’t made from whole foods, as they’d lead you to believe!
These are snacks made from real foods without any artificial sweeteners or preservatives. That means meat, dairy, fruit, vegetables, nuts, and seeds. No manufactured blends. The idea is simple - the fewer steps it takes to get from the source into your hands, the better.
That means you won’t find added sugars, artificial flavoring, or heavy processing in these snacks. Flavor comes from the food itself, and while it can be enhanced with salt or natural sugar, minimalism is the common theme you’ll pick up on.
The 15 Best Whole Food Snacks
Whole food snacks tend to feel more satisfying because they provide real texture, real nutrients, and a sense of fullness that packaged snack foods could never replicate. So without any further ado, let’s dive into the best whole food snacks!
Carnivore Snax Meat Chips
You really can’t beat carnivore chips when you crave something tasty but want to keep your nutrition dialed in. These “meat pastries,” as they’ve been called, are the best of both worlds.
Carnivore Snax are made from just two ingredients - meat and salt. That’s it. They have a light, crispy texture at first, which quickly melts in the mouth and gives way to tantalizing flavors. The exact flavor profile depends on the cut of meat:
The best part is our meat comes from the most elite, ethical regenerative farms in the nation - so you can feel good about spoiling yourself, too. They feel substantial, travel well, and don’t rely on sugars, marinades, or fillers to taste good.
We’ve seen them called the best sugar-free snacks, the best snacks for keto diet, and even the best ski snacks. The truth is, though, they’re the best whole food snacks for any time, any place, and any dietary restrictions. Find out why today!
Greek Yogurt
Plain Greek yogurt works well as a whole food snack because it’s made from milk and live cultures with minimal handling. It’s filling, easy to eat, and pairs nicely with fruit or nuts when you want variety.
Of course, not all Greek yogurt is made equal. Choosing unsweetened versions is key to keeping your snack habit in the whole-food territory. Take a close look at the label before you buy.
Hard Boiled Eggs
We think eggs are a superfood, and the hard-boiled format is as convenient as it gets from a snack perspective. They’re portable, naturally nutrient-dense, and easy to prep ahead. Just add a little salt or seasoning to make them more enjoyable without compromising on nutrition!
Cottage Cheese
This one is tough because we’d be lying if we told you we loved eating cottage cheese. But despite the somewhat lumpy texture, it’s one of the best whole food snacks purely from a nutritional perspective.
You get tons of protein (casein protein, specifically) and healthy fats. You can offset the taste and texture with some nuts or other add-ins.
Fresh or Dried Fruit
No conversation on the best whole food snacks would be complete without some plant-based options, and we prefer to keep things simple with either fresh or dried fruit. Some of our favorites are:
- Oranges
- Bananas
- Apples
- Pears
- Grapes
- Strawberries
- The list goes on and on!
Fresh fruit is naturally sweet with zero added ingredients. On the other hand, dried fruit is a slightly more concentrated option in smaller servings. Both come directly from the source, so they check the most important box of what makes for a good whole food snack.
Beef Jerky and Biltong
Jerky and biltong can qualify as whole food snacks when made with simple ingredients - that’s important context. Our problem with most biltong and jerky brands is they use tons of artificial sweeteners and preservatives.
Like many whole food snacks, you’ll have to do your research into what’s really hiding on that ingredient label. But if you can find a quality source, it’s hard to beat the chewy texture and on-the-go nutrition these meat-based snacks provide.
Nuts and Seeds
Nothing beats nuts and seeds when you want plant-based nutrition that’s convenient and delicious. They come straight from the source and don’t have to be processed at all to be enjoyable. We love:
- Walnuts
- Almonds
- Pecans
- Cashews
- Sunflower seeds
There are plenty of other great varieties, though. A small handful goes a long way in providing texture, protein, fats, and enough substance to take the edge off hunger. They travel easily and work well when you need something quick between meals.
Cheese Sticks/Cubes
Cheese sticks or cubed cheese can be a great snack that aligns with whole food eating. You get protein and fat together, which helps snacks feel more satisfying. Pre-cut portions make them convenient and predictable. Harder cheeses tend to feel more filling than softer varieties.
Sardines and Other Canned Fish
They’re probably not the tastiest (or best-smelling), but sardines and other canned fish are among the best whole food snacks when it comes to functional fuel. They deliver plenty of protein and healthy fats, and the best versions don’t stray far from their natural form!
Veggie Chips
Veggie chips can scratch that itch you might have for something crunchy, and they can fit the whole foods bill as well. They can be baked or dehydrated with simple seasoning to satisfy cravings. In this case, they’re among the best healthy snacks for work or any situation!
The problem is, a lot of mainstream variations feature too many processed ingredients to really be considered “whole foods.” So, like beef jerky and other options on this list, checking ingredients is important here!
Olives
Olives are a naturally preserved food that fits well into a whole food approach. They bring salt and healthy fats in a small serving, and they feel super satisfying. You can easily find single-serve packs make them easy to keep on hand without overdoing portions.
Nut Butter
Nut butter can be one of the best whole food snacks when done right. It should be made with just nuts and salt. The more oils and preservatives added, the further this option strays from what constitutes “whole food.”
That being said, we love spreading natural nut butter (peanut butter, cashew butter, even almond butter) over celery or carrot sticks. Or, on rice cakes! Speaking of which…
Rice Cakes
Rice cakes are made from a single whole grain and work well as a neutral base. And as we just touched on above, they work wonderfully when smothered in nut butter, cheese, or fruit. They’re easy to portion and travel well. You can use them as cutting snacks or bulking snacks!
Air-Popped Popcorn
Air-popped popcorn starts as a whole grain and stays simple when prepared without oils or flavor coatings. This snack brings you volume and crunch. There’s nothing wrong with adding a little bit of butter to it, either. Just don’t overdo it.
DIY Energy Balls
Last but not least, consider making the best whole food snacks yourself - like these DIY energy balls! You get control over every ingredient, so the nutrition and flavor is totally up to you.
We like using nuts, seeds, dates, and simple binders to keep them grounded in real food. These can be some of the top low-calorie high-protein snacks, or you can make them high-fat low-carb foods. They’re endlessly customizable.
Final Thoughts on the Best Whole Food Snacks
The key takeaway from this guide is that the best whole food snacks keep eating simple, grounded, and easy to stick with. Look for short ingredient lists as your determinant of what belongs in your rotation and what’s only going to cause more harm than good.
Carnivore Snax Meat Chips are an easy choice for a snack that stays true to real food while still delivering serious flavor. Don’t just take our word for it, though. Stock up and keep whole food snacking enjoyable, consistent, and effortless!
