45 Simple, Super Satisfying, and Really Healthy Comfort Food

Raise your hand if you love comfort food! What’s not to love about it? For starters, it’s filling, rich, satisfying, and decadent. The only bad thing is that comfort food is not always easy on the waistline. But what if there was such a thing as healthy comfort food? I’m talking about food that’s filling, satisfying, maybe even crunchy, but doesn’t take a beating on your waistline. Well, I’ve got you covered! I’ve put together a list of 45 healthy comfort foods. Use this as your go-to list when you’re looking for a snack, when you need to fight the urge to eat something unhealthy, or when you’re trying to keep your weight in check. After all, a friend of mine once said, “your best defense against eating unwanted food is eating more healthy food.” This is true, so let’s dive into the list!

45 Healthy Comfort Food Ideas:

1. Raw vegetables with hummus, peanut butter, yogurt, or seasoning – you can use cucumber slices, celery sticks, carrot sticks, sugar snap peas, raw bell peppers strips, cauliflower, or radishes. Vegetables are filling and low in calories.
2. Roasted chickpeas – One of my favorite recipes is here. Make a large batch in the oven and flavor them either salty or sweet. Chickpeas are high in protein and fiber.
3. Popcorn – Make it on the stove, in a brown paper bag (in the microwave) or with an air popper. Keep the calories low by not adding butter. Then, season with salt, pepper, paprika, onion powder, nutritional yeast (which tastes like cheese) or leave it plain.
4. Dark chocolate – Make sure it’s at least 85%. Contains fiber, minerals, and antioxidants. A little goes a long way!
5. Sliced apple with your choice of nut butter or yogurt – You can use peanut, almond, sunflower or cashew butter. Reduce the fat and calories by using powdered nut butter mixed with water.
6. Frozen grapes – Refreshing on a hot day, a little crunchy and takes longer to eat. Plus, they’re low in calories.
7. Homemade sweet potato chips or fries – Make them in the oven, toss with olive oil and season with salt/pepper.
8. Kale chips – Super simple to make! Check out this versatile recipe because they are filled with a plethora of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.
9. Dates stuffed with peanut butter, cream cheese, almonds, or coconut flakes – Dates are considered to be a super food because they contain vitamins, minerals, fiber, and antioxidants. Reduce the fat and calories by using reduced fat cream cheese or powdered nut butter mixed with water.
10. Edamame – You can buy them frozen or fresh. They are low in calories and extremely versatile. Eat them plain, with some salt, or with some spice.
11. Tuna salad – Tuna is a great source of Omega 3. Here’s a simple recipe that you can make in advance.
12. Sliced watermelon – If you eat it cold, it’s so refreshing on a hot day! Watermelon has a high water content, which is great for hydrating your body. You can eat it plain or sprinkle with salt, chili powder and a squeeze of lime.
13. Shelled peanuts – Go for shelled because it takes longer to eat them, and your body has more time to digest them.
14. Rice cakes – This is what I call “Ol’ faithful” because they’ve been around forever! Eat them plain or topped with peanut butter, avocado, or fruit.
15. Raspberries stuffed with dark chocolate chips – Raspberries are known for their anti-inflammatory properties and dark chocolate is known for its antioxidant properties. Concerned about portion control? Stuff one chocolate chip per raspberry.
16. Pork rinds – Believe it or not, these are making a comeback. Look for the baked variety. They are low in carbs but check the label for salt content.
17. Hard salami slices – Low in carbs, but check the label for salt and fat content. You can eat them with cheese or alone.
18. Cottage cheese – If you can get past the texture, cottage cheese is high in protein and low in fat. Eat it plain, or mixed with fresh or dried fruit.
19. String cheese – It’s such a convenient snack that’s high in protein and great for portion control.
20. Mandarin oranges – Low in calories, and takes longer to consume because you have to peel them. But that means it will take longer to digest them, which is a plus.
21. Chicken, vegetable, or bone broth – Drink this for a satisfying and filling snack due to the fiber and protein content.
22. Dried unsweetened plantain chips – Satisfying, crunchy and easy to make in your oven. Plus, they taste more like a potato than a banana.
23. Homemade granola – Very adaptable and flexible because you can add different varieties of nuts, dried fruit, seeds, etc. Plus, when you make it yourself, you can control the sugar content.
24. Energy balls – These filling and nutritious due to the oats, nuts, cacao, and dates. Here’s my favorite recipe.
25. Coconut water – Replaces electrolytes after a strenuous workout and has huge amounts of potassium (more than a single banana) and magnesium.
26. Boiled eggs – Super easy to make and an excellent protein to keep you satiated.
27. Baked banana chips – Bake them yourself so you can control the sugar content.
28. Peeled grapefruit (or slice it in half) – Grapefruit is an excellent source of vitamins and minerals and contains antioxidants.
29. Trail mix – Very flexible/adaptable based on your personal preferences. Use sunflower seeds, your favorite nuts, dark chocolate chips, and dried fruit. When you make your own, you can control the sugar content.
30. Baked/roasted tofu – Very easy to make and it’s full of protein and iron. Make some extra and you can add it to salads and/or stir fry.
31. Roasted seaweed – High in potassium and iodine, contains some protein and fiber and is low in calories and saturated fat.
32. Frozen banana slices with a little honey drizzle (or not) – Just slice and freeze for as little as 30 minutes on a baking sheet. Eat them, or transfer to a freezer safe container for later.
33. Apple with cheese slices – Great protein and fiber combo. Here are some great pairings: Pink Lady with Monterey Jack, Gala with Cheddar, Honey Crisp with Smoked Gouda, or Granny Smith with Jalapeno Harvarti.
34. Raisins – Buy pre-packaged for portion control or within the bulk section. They provide energy and are full of fiber, vitamins, and minerals.
35. Jicama slices – Eat with or without salt. The crunchy texture is satisfying, slightly sweet, and very low in calories.
36. Homemade baked tortilla chips and salsa – Baked chips are very easy to make and healthier than the fried version. Homemade salsa tastes fresher than bottled any day!
37. Reconstituted peanut butter (from powder) – Fewer calories, less sugar, and fat. Use as a topping for rice cakes or as a dip.
38. Green shake – Make it with spinach, mango, banana, avocado and almond milk. You’ll get a great dose of antioxidants, vitamin C, omega-3 fatty acids, and potassium.
39. Black beans with shredded cheese and lime juice – Use canned beans, rinse, heat, then sprinkle with cheese and lime juice.
40. Blueberries – Eat them frozen or fresh. They are full of antioxidants and may have anti-aging properties.
41. Olives, whole grain crackers, and hummus – You get healthy fats from the olives and fiber from the crackers, and plant-based protein from the hummus.
42. Homemade granola bars – Make them yourself so you can control the sugar content.
43. Homemade crostini – Eat with hummus or dips, or alone.
44. Oatmeal with fruit, nuts, and/or honey – The oatmeal is rich in vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, protein, and fiber.
45. Toast with peanut butter – So simple, but very satisfying especially if the toast is still warm!

But let’s say none of these options really speak to you. Well, create your own healthy snack options! Here’s how: always look for snacks that are a combination of a high-fiber carbohydrate and a lean source of protein. If you do that, you’ll feel fuller and more satisfied for longer.

I’ve got a super helpful handout to help you create your own healthy snacks. Go ahead, grab it now!  

So, have you been inspired? I hope so! There is such a thing as healthy comfort food and it can be enjoyable and good for you. Now that you have a list of healthy comfort food ideas, go plan your next grocery list. If you’d like a printable version of this list, click here to download a copy.

Have a good one!

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