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Under 150 Calories
Best Low Calorie Snacks: 15 Options That Actually Fill You Up
I'll be honest with you, I'm not a fan of calorie counting as a primary approach to health. Eating nutrient-dense whole foods naturally regulates appetite and weight without obsessing over numbers. But I understand that many of you are trying to lose weight, and watching calories is part of that journey.
If you're going to count calories, at least make them count. Most "100-calorie snack packs" are nutritional garbage, refined carbs that spike your blood sugar and leave you hungry an hour later. I've researched 15 low-calorie snacks that actually deliver nutrition: protein, fiber, and quality ingredients that keep you satisfied instead of reaching for more food.
The Real Key to Low-Calorie Snacking
Successful low-calorie snacking isn't about eating less, it's about eating smarter. A 100-calorie snack with 10g of protein will keep you full for 3-4 hours. A 100-calorie snack of refined carbs will leave you hungry in 30 minutes and craving more.
What Works:
- • Protein (5g+ triggers satiety hormones)
- • Fiber (3g+ slows digestion)
- • Whole foods (more chewing = more satisfaction)
- • Volume foods (popcorn, vegetables)
What Fails:
- • 100-calorie cookie/cracker packs
- • Refined carbs (spike & crash)
- • Added sugars (trigger more hunger)
- • Zero protein/fiber snacks
Quick Comparison: Best Low Calorie Snacks at a Glance
| Product | Best For | Calories | Protein | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chomps Mini Beef Sticks | Highest Protein | 50 | 5g | Amazon |
| String Cheese | Portable Protein | 80 | 7g | Amazon |
| Hard-Boiled Eggs | Complete Nutrition | 70 | 6g | Amazon |
| MadeGood Granola Bar | School-Safe | 100 | 2g | Amazon |
| SeaSnax Seaweed | Lowest Calories | 30 | 1g | Amazon |
| LesserEvil Popcorn | High Volume | 120 | 2g | Amazon |
| The Only Bean Edamame | Plant Protein | 100 | 11g | Amazon |
| Bare Apple Chips | Sweet Crunch | 120 | 0g | Amazon |
| Whisps Cheese Crisps | Crunchy Protein | 150 | 12g | Amazon |
| Solely Fruit Jerky | Natural Sweet | 70 | 0g | Amazon |
| Epic Venison Bar | Meat Protein | 90 | 7g | Amazon |
| Dang Coconut Chips | Healthy Fats | 100 | 1g | Amazon |
| That's It Fruit Bar | Simplest Option | 100 | 1g | Amazon |
| Moon Cheese | Keto-Friendly | 130 | 11g | Amazon |
| Wilde Chicken Chips | Chip Alternative | 90 | 10g | Amazon |
15 Best Low Calorie Snacks: Detailed Reviews
1. Chomps Mini Beef Sticks - Best High-Protein Low-Cal
Calories: 50 | Protein: 5g | Carbs: 0g | Fat: 3g
At just 50 calories per mini stick, Chomps delivers 5g of protein from 100% grass-fed beef with zero carbs and zero sugar. The ingredient list is pristine: beef, water, sea salt, and spices. No fillers, no nitrates, no seed oils. This is what I recommend for anyone trying to lose weight, maximum protein per calorie, completely satisfying, and legitimately healthy. Keep a stash at your desk.2. String Cheese (Organic Valley or Similar) - Best Portable Protein
Calories: 80 | Protein: 7g | Carbs: 0g | Fat: 6g
A single stick of string cheese delivers 7g of protein for just 80 calories, excellent satiety per calorie ratio. Look for grass-fed or organic options like Organic Valley for better fat profiles. The peelable format naturally slows eating, which helps with portion control. Simple, portable, no preparation required. A classic low-cal choice that actually works.3. Hard-Boiled Eggs - Best Complete Nutrition
Calories: 70 | Protein: 6g | Carbs: 0g | Fat: 5g
One large egg provides 6g of complete protein, healthy fats, and virtually every essential nutrient for just 70 calories. Eggs are one of the most nutrient-dense foods available, B vitamins, choline, selenium, and omega-3s (especially from pasture-raised hens). Prep a batch on Sunday for grab-and-go snacking all week. Add a pinch of salt or everything bagel seasoning.4. MadeGood Granola Bar - Best Allergen-Free
Calories: 100 | Protein: 2g | Sugar: 5g | Fiber: 1g
MadeGood bars are allergen-free (safe for schools) and come in at exactly 100 calories. They're lower in protein than I'd prefer, but for a portion-controlled packaged snack, they're reasonable. The Chocolate Chip variety is popular with kids. These work when you need something sweet and want strict calorie control, just don't rely on them for satiety.5. SeaSnax Roasted Seaweed - Best Ultra-Low Calorie
Calories: 30 | Protein: 1g | Carbs: 1g | Fat: 2g
At just 30 calories per pack, seaweed snacks are about as low-calorie as you can get while still eating actual food. They provide iodine (essential for thyroid function), minerals, and a satisfying crunch. The SeaSnax brand uses olive oil instead of inflammatory seed oils, check labels carefully as many brands use canola or sunflower oil. Great as an appetite suppressant between meals.6. LesserEvil Organic Popcorn - Best Volume Eating
Calories: 120 | Protein: 2g | Carbs: 16g | Fiber: 3g
Popcorn is a high-volume, relatively low-calorie snack, you get a lot of physical food for the calories. LesserEvil does it right with organic corn and coconut oil (not seed oils). A full serving feels like eating a lot of food for just 120 calories. The Himalayan Pink Salt flavor is clean and simple. Good option when you want to crunch without guilt.7. The Only Bean Roasted Edamame - Best Plant Protein
Calories: 100 | Protein: 11g | Sugar: 1g | Fiber: 6g
If you want plant-based protein that's actually substantial, roasted edamame delivers. 11g protein and 6g fiber for 100 calories is an excellent ratio. The Only Bean packages these in convenient single-serve portions. The Sea Salt and Sriracha flavors are both good. Note: edamame is soy-based, so skip if you're avoiding soy.8. Bare Apple Chips - Best Natural Sweet Crunch
Calories: 120 | Protein: 0g | Sugar: 22g | Fiber: 4g
Bare Apple Chips are literally just baked apples, one ingredient. When you're craving something sweet and crunchy, these satisfy without added sugars or artificial ingredients. The Granny Smith variety has a nice tartness. Yes, the natural sugar is high (it's concentrated fruit), but it's real food. Fiber content helps moderate blood sugar response.9. Whisps Parmesan Cheese Crisps - Best Crunchy Protein
Calories: 150 | Protein: 12g | Carbs: 1g | Fat: 10g
Whisps are just baked cheese, Parmesan crisped into crunchy chips. At 12g of protein per serving, they're one of the most protein-dense crunchy snacks available. Zero carbs makes them keto-friendly too. They satisfy the chip craving while delivering actual nutrition. The only ingredient is cheese. Great for low-carb dieters who want crunch.10. Solely Organic Fruit Jerky - Best Kid-Friendly Sweet
Calories: 70 | Protein: 0g | Sugar: 14g | Fiber: 2g
Solely's fruit jerky is just organic dried fruit in strip form, nothing added. At 70 calories, it satisfies sweet cravings with real fruit instead of candy. The Mango and Pineapple varieties are particularly good. No protein here, so pair with a protein source if you want lasting satisfaction. Good for kids and situations where you need something sweet.11. Epic Venison Bar - Best Active Lifestyle
Calories: 90 | Protein: 7g | Carbs: 8g | Sugar: 7g
Epic makes meat-based bars that combine animal protein with fruit for energy. The Venison variety provides 7g protein for 90 calories. These are essentially portable meat snacks with some sweetness from cranberries. Good for active people who need quick energy with protein. Watch the sugar content on some flavors, the Venison with Sea Salt & Pepper is cleaner.12. Dang Coconut Chips - Best Healthy Fats
Calories: 100 | Protein: 1g | Sugar: 3g | Fat: 9g
Dang makes lightly sweetened toasted coconut chips that hit the sweet-crunchy craving. At 100 calories per serving, they're portion-controlled but satisfying due to the healthy fats from coconut. The Lightly Salted Caramel flavor is excellent. Low in protein, so these work better as an occasional treat than a staple snack.13. That's It Fruit Bar - Best Ingredient Simplicity
Calories: 100 | Protein: 1g | Sugar: 17g | Fiber: 3g
Two ingredients: apples + one other fruit. That's It bars are as simple as packaged snacks get. At 100 calories, they provide a sweet snack with no added anything. The Apple + Mango and Apple + Cherry varieties are popular. Sugar is high (all from fruit), but at least you know exactly what you're eating. Perfect for people who want zero processed ingredients.14. Moon Cheese - Best Keto-Friendly
Calories: 130 | Protein: 11g | Carbs: 0g | Fat: 10g
Moon Cheese is real cheese that's been dried and crunched into shelf-stable snacks. 11g of protein, zero carbs, and satisfying crunch. The Cheddar Believe It flavor is classic. These are keto-friendly and deliver substantial protein for the calories. Great alternative to chips when you want crunch plus nutrition.15. Wilde Chicken Chips - Best Chip Replacement
Calories: 90 | Protein: 10g | Carbs: 1g | Sugar: 0g
Wilde makes chips from chicken breast and egg whites, 10g of protein for just 90 calories. They scratch the chip itch while delivering nutrition instead of empty carbs. The Sea Salt and Buffalo flavors are my go-tos. Not quite as crunchy as regular chips, but the protein content makes them far more satisfying.Low-Calorie Snacks to Avoid
Marketing Tricks
- 100-Calorie Packs: Just smaller portions of junk food
- Diet Cookies/Crackers: Refined carbs with no nutrition
- "Light" Chips: Still processed, still empty calories
- Sugar-Free Candy: Artificial sweeteners may increase cravings
Why They Fail
- No Protein: Nothing to trigger satiety hormones
- No Fiber: Digested quickly, hunger returns fast
- Blood Sugar Spike: Leads to crash and more cravings
- No Satisfaction: You end up eating more later
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best low calorie snacks for weight loss?
The best low calorie snacks for weight loss combine protein, fiber, and satisfaction. Top picks: Chomps Mini beef sticks (50 cal, 5g protein), hard-boiled eggs (70 cal, 6g protein), string cheese (80 cal, 7g protein), and Wilde Chicken Chips (90 cal, 10g protein). Focus on protein to stay full, not just low calories.
Are low calorie snacks always healthy?
No. Many 100-calorie snack packs are just smaller portions of junk food, refined carbs and added sugars with zero nutritional value. A 100-calorie pack of cookies will leave you hungry in 30 minutes. Focus on nutrient density: protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals, not just calorie count.
Why am I still hungry after low calorie snacks?
You're still hungry because most low-cal snacks lack protein and fiber, the nutrients that signal fullness to your brain. Refined carbs spike blood sugar, causing a crash that increases hunger. Solution: add protein to every snack (cheese, eggs, jerky), choose whole foods, and drink water with your snack.
How many calories should a healthy snack be?
A healthy snack should be 100-200 calories depending on your goals. For weight loss: 100-150 calories. For maintenance: 150-200 calories. More important than the number is what those calories contain, prioritize protein (5g+) and fiber (3g+) over empty carbs and sugars.
Explore More Snack Guides
Remember: the goal isn't just low calories, it's satisfying nutrition that keeps you from overeating later. Focus on protein and fiber, avoid refined carbs, and you'll find that eating less doesn't have to mean feeling hungry. Check out our other guides for more options.
Health Optimization Specialist & Founder
Jeff Walker is a health optimization specialist with 23+ years of personal research into nutrition and chronic health management. After overcoming digestive, metabolic, and inflammatory health challenges through dietary changes, he founded Healthy Snack Guides to help others make informed snacking choices backed by real data.