Healthy treats do exist! When you're craving a low-calorie sweet snack, these wholesome options definitely beat a couple of pieces of candy. Sometimes, you just need a small bite as an afternoon pick-me-up or to help you make it through the last hour until dinnertime, and these 50-calorie or less nibbles deliver a surprisingly big dose of satisfaction.
Blueberries
A half cup of fresh blueberries makes a juicy, refreshing, and low-calorie sweet snack. Blueberries also have the benefit of being high in fiber (plus all the other beneficial nutrients), so you can always feel good about reaching for a cup. Frozen are just as nutritious as fresh, so feel free to pop 'em cold if you prefer.
Extra-Easy Spiced Kettle Corn
If your snacking tastes run more toward a sweet and savory combo, keep a small plastic bag of this spiced kettle corn in your pantry, glove compartment, or bag to snag anytime you feel the hangries arising. It starts with a regular bag of microwave kettle corn, then gets dressed up with a sprinkle of garam masala, a popular Indian spice blend. The seasonings give kettle corn more complex flavors while keeping the low-calorie sweet snack to just 45 calories per cup.
Apples
One easy way to mix up your low-calorie sweet snack routine is to stock up on a variety of apples. One small apple has about 50 calories, and this nosh is super easy to take when you're on the go. (Thanks, Mother Nature, for the portable "packaging." ) Plus, with so many different types of apples to choose from, you won't get stuck in a snacking rut.
Stone Fruit Granita
Come summertime (or any time you wish felt more like summer), cool down with a low-calorie sweet snack lighter than most ice creams. This granita recipe is super simple, made with mostly water and fresh stone fruit and only a dash of sugar, and has just 48 calories in a serving. Depending on what you're craving, you can make this easy snack recipe with peaches, nectarines, plums, or even sweet cherries.
Watermelon
You might already reach for watermelon as a naturally low-calorie sweet snack in the summertime. If so, keep it up! One cup of watermelon has about 45 calories, and you can't beat its juiciness and refreshing fruity flavor. Thanks to its high water content, watermelon is also a hydrating treat.
Kiwifruit
Along with some sweetness, a kiwifruit will add a taste of the tropics to snack time. A medium kiwifruit has about 42 calories, and it packs in some extra nutrients. Kiwis are higher in vitamin C than most other fruits. Slice one up for a low-calorie sweet snack that offers potassium, too.
Pineapple, Mint, and Coconut Water Pops
Fresh fruit makes a great snack, but sometimes, we crave something just a bit more special. For those times, try these ice pops—they're low in calories (just 43), have healthy slices of fresh pineapple, and feel like a fancy treat. Freeze fresh pineapple with plain coconut water (or try flavored) and add some fresh mint leaves to make them even more refreshing.