There are some nutritious store-bought varieties out there. Still, making your own homemade fruit popsicles allows you to control how much sugar you add. Added sugar is a source of "empty calories," meaning it provides no nutrients.

The American Heart Association advises consuming no more than 25 grams of added sugar per day for females and 36 grams for males.

Spread two tablespoons of hummus on crunchy celery for a quick pick-me-up. Plain hummus has about Celery has 5. Some specialty coffees can end up being worse for you than a candy bar, but it's possible to enjoy a cool drink without excess calories.

Ask for an iced cappuccino made with skim milk next time you visit your local café. This low-calorie drink contains calcium and protein to keep you full. Quench your thirst with iced chai, another low-calorie summer beverage.

You can order it at your local coffee shop, but it's also easy to brew at home. To add extra flavor, "play with nutrition-packed spices like cinnamon, ginger, turmeric, and cardamom," said Kay.

One cup of sliced mangos packs plenty of nutrients. You'll get 2. Both vitamins support your immune system and skin health. Think of this as a bite-sized version of avocado toast: Top a few whole-grain crackers with two tablespoons of mashed avocado for a quick-and-easy low-calorie snack.

Avocados are high in heart-healthy fats and potassium, which help regulate blood pressure. It's the classic nutritious, low-calorie snack that will fill you up for hours: "Air-popped popcorn is a caloric bargain," said Horowitz.

Two cups have about calories. Popcorn has polyphenols, an antioxidant that protects against cell damage. Some evidence suggests that polyphenols also lower heart disease risk.

Just make sure to skip the salt for a healthier snack. Have some leftover quinoa in the fridge? Make a quick quinoa salad by tossing a one-half cup of quinoa, which is about calories, with some chopped parsley and lemon juice. Quinoa is a seed that packs a lot of filling protein. String cheese is an easy-to-pack beach snack.

Some non-fat pre-packaged varieties contain about 40 calories per serving. String cheese is also a good source of calcium and protein, said Horowitz. Some varieties of sugar snap peas have less than calories per serving.

Dip them in white bean dip for extra flavor for a crunchy summer snack. Whip up a bowl of chilled fruit "soup" by mixing one cup of cantaloupe about This light, refreshing snack will cool you down and packs vitamin A, said Kay.

Loaded with beta-carotene and magnesium, "sweet potatoes have a bigger nutrient bang for the caloric buck than white potatoes," said Kay. Sweet potatoes also contain resistant starch, a healthy carb that satisfies your appetite. Enjoy one-half of a medium-baked sweet potato, which has about Try a lettuce leaf wrap with baked tofu and a squeeze of fresh lemon for a more substantial snack or light summer lunch.

A one-half cup of tofu "provides high-quality plant protein," said Kay. Some evidence suggests that plant proteins may protect against some cancers. Opt for a pouch of tuna instead of packing tuna sandwiches in your beach cooler. Horowitz recommended Starkist Light Tuna in Water, which contains 17 grams of protein and just 70 calories per 2.

Mix in one tablespoon of salsa, hummus, or avocado for a flavor boost. Mix three-fourths of a cup of berries with four walnut halves for another delicious way to enjoy in-season raspberries. The mix of fiber with the plant-based omega-3 fatty acids in walnuts will sustain your energy throughout the day.

This classic summer fruit packs impressive health benefits. Not only is watermelon low-calorie, but it's also a good source of lycopene. Research has found that this pigment may help guard against certain types of cancer.

Watermelon will also prevent bloating and keep you hydrated on hot days, thanks to its high water content. Opt for some of these healthy summer snacks to help keep you full or cool you down when it's hot out. These low-calorie options pack filling fiber and plenty of minerals and vitamins that are essential for good health.

Many of these snacks can also help you manage your weight. A healthy snack is one that has enough calories to satisfy your appetite while not causing unintended weight gain. Look for low-fat, sugar-free foods that have fiber and high water content, such as fruits and vegetables.

Department of Agriculture. FoodData Central: Almonds, unsalted. FoodData Central: Cabbage, green, raw. Vitamin C. FoodData Central: Blueberries, raw.

Zhao F, Wang J, Wang W, et al. The extraction and high antiproliferative effect of anthocyanin from gardenblue blueberry. FoodData Central: Cherries, sweet, raw. Get all the top food rankings, new product reviews, and other grocery content delivered to your inbox every other week.

By clicking submit you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. The Seasonal Treats We Buy Ourselves to Get into the Holiday Spirit By Naajia Shukri December 2, Related Articles Listicles.

You Can and Should Eat Candy Corn at Every Holiday By Naajia Shukri April 11, About the Author Naajia Shukri Naajia Shukri is the legit biggest fan of candy corn. She is interested in all things food, art, and beauty. After living in Korea for the past two years, she has gotten back to her L.

roots, frequenting thrift stores and art museums. Complete disagreement? Leave a comment! Your thoughts. Cancel reply Your email address will not be published. The taste and texture of this gluten-free Christmas treat is actually quite similar to the glutenous version.

That being said, Trader Joe's has much better holiday desserts. Mushroom fans might be disappointed by this French-style flatbread. The flavors are dull and the puff pasty is a tad soggy. The onions are finely chopped and more or less unnoticeable.

I'd rather exert the extra tiny bit of effort, buy the Lipton soup mix, and make this dip myself. These are fine and all for chocolate lovers, but they don't have that same butteriness I expect from shortbread cookies.

We all know that gelt or as Trader Joe's calls it, "chocolate coins of the world" is just synonymous with passable-but-not-great chocolate. There's better stuff in the chocolate section than this. These are bland and lack a sweet or spicy component, but you can jazz 'em up with the help of some cinnamon, pecans, maple syrup, marshmallows, or paprika.

You're better off making this cheesy app from scratch, especially since you really only need two ingredients: a wheel of Brie and puff pastry. These cookies are actually pretty solid, especially the light and airy maple filling.

But ultimately, there are just so many better holiday desserts elsewhere in the store. Definitely a step above your average trail mix, but it's heavy on the almonds, pepitas, and cranberries when let's face it we're all wanting more pumpkin pie pecans and chocolate-covered pretzels.

Here's the plan: buy some potatoes, slice 'em, and top them with butter and sea salt. We'll call them homemade hasselback potatoes. I don't know does anyone really need an eggnog-flavored protein drink?

It just seems like a bit much. This frozen ravioli in truffle sauce is decadent, but it's tough to avoid it getting soggy.

For more al dente, tasty premade ravioli, stick to the refrigerated section. I just can't get over the texture of this.

In my mind, gnocchi should be savory. It hits different when it's full of melted chocolate. I'm all for lazy appetizers, but it's easy enough to build your own affordable and far-more-delicious antipasto plate out of Trader Joe's snacks.

Trader Joe's went a little wild with the truffle products this fall. Unfortunately, this isn't one of the must-tries.

If I were you, I'd grab the Geneva Pesto and season it with some T. J's truffle seasoning. This frozen paella made with calamari, shrimp, and mussels won't change your life, but it's a solid addition to any Feast of the Seven Fishes.

These taste exactly how you'd expect them to, but they're are absolutely adorable, especially if you're celebrating the holiday with kids.

These little assorted dark chocolates taste fancy, like the stuff you'd receive in a holiday gift. Grab a few of these little baggies for stocking stuffers. A welcome addition to T.

It even comes with a generous portion of icing and candy for decorating. This classic T. Serve these with any dip or holiday cheese plate.

Do I need a little gingerbread cookie that clings tightly to my mug of hot cocoa? Absolutely not. Do I love having the option?

You'll want to serve these slightly cold so they don't get mushy. Each box contains a satisfying mixture of fruity, chocolate-y, and espessso-flavored dessert bites.

If there's one frozen food I'll never feel bad about buying, it's risotto. With all that stirring, it's a pain in the neck to make from scratch.

This stuff takes about six minutes in the microwave, and it tastes as good as anything I'd make myself. An OG Trader Joe's dip, there's something delightful about the blending of tangy blue cheese, creamy cream cheese, and sweet pecans.

Think: Tate's cookies, except cheaper and perfect for enjoying with eggnog. As a bonus, these crispy, melt-in-your-mouth cookies happen to be gluten-free.

This glorious duo features both pepperoni and sopressata rolled up with creamy mozzarella. Your holiday antipasto platter would greatly benefit from the addition.