Why I Don’t Believe in Snacking (Most of the Time)

I don’t usually snack. I’m also not in the habit of eating after 6 p.m. But last night? I gave in to my body’s craving for something nourishing and fell into bliss with peanut butter stuffed dates. They hit the spot. Healthy snacks for the win! 

Truth be told, I consider myself lucky. In the grand sweep of history, the habit of snacking is a relatively new one. For most of human history, people didn’t eat between meals—not because they were especially disciplined, but because they didn’t have the option.

Snacking is a byproduct of food abundance, industrialization, and clever marketing. And while I appreciate a good homemade snack now and again, I try not to make it a habit.

Snacking: A Modern Habit

It still blows my mind that we live in a time of overwhelming food availability—yet so many people are still going hungry. In North America, most of us eat three full meals a day, and yet we still feel the urge to nibble between them.

Some of that hunger is real. Some of it is boredom, stress, or habit. And a lot of it is manufactured by food companies with bottomless marketing budgets pushing ultra-processed snacks full of sugar, preservatives, and artificial flavours.

Growing up, I didn’t have snack time at school. Now? My kindergartener has two snack breaks. It’s a ritual baked into childhood from day one—something we teach our children to expect, even when they’re not truly hungry. But in other parts of the world, particularly in places where traditional eating habits still hold strong, snack time doesn’t exist.

Cutting Back on Snacks: The French-Inspired Shift

A few months ago, I started to worry about the picky eating happening at the dinner table. Ever the book lover, I turned to French Kids Eat Everything by Karen Le Billon—and it changed my whole outlook.

Inspired by Le Billon’s insights, I decided to eliminate most snacks between meals. There was some resistance (okay, whining), but I noticed that my kids actually came to meals hungrier and more willing to eat the “real food” on their plates. When kids—and adults—are busy and engaged, they often forget they were ever hungry at all.

That said, snack time is practically sacred at school and at the playgroup I help run. I can’t ignore it completely. But I can choose what kind of food we bring to the table, and 95.9% of the time, I’m packing healthy snacks. 

Real Food Snack Ideas (Without the Guilt)

The snack aisles at the grocery store are filled with things that aren’t really food—just edible distractions wrapped in plastic. Sure, I’m sometimes tempted by the relatively “healthy” bulk packs at Costco, but more often than not, I make my own snacks at home.

Here are some of my go-to favourites—simple, homemade snacks that are nourishing, low-waste, and kind to your budget.

• Plain yogurt with raw honey, topped with fresh or frozen fruit, bee pollen, hemp hearts, or ground flax seeds

• Homemade applesauce or jello

• Chia seed pudding with fresh or frozen berries

• Dried fruit (raisins, dates, figs, mango, etc.)

• Freeze-dried fruit—mangoes are my favourite, but whatever you select, read the label! Manufacturers love sneaking in added sugar to fruit snacks.

• Seaweed snacks (especially if you can find them without seed oils)

• Hummus with seed crackers

• Apple slices with sunflower seed butter or almond butter. To keep apples from oxidizing (turning brown), squeeze on a bit of lemon or dip them in a lemon water solution.

• Hard-boiled eggs with a dab of mustard

• Raw veggies with homemade lemon dill yogurt or kefir ranch dip

• Leftover oatmeal or cream of wheat from breakfast (waste not, want not!)

• Smoothies made with half greens, half fruit

• Popcorn with butter and seaweed flakes

• Fruit salad with a squeeze of citrus

• Nice cream: Run 2-3 frozen bananas through a food processor with a handful of frozen fruit. Add a splash of honey or maple syrup and homemade vanilla extract for a dreamy treat. Cocoa powder with frozen cherries is a delightful combo.

• Nut butter stuffed dates (I love hiding a brazil nut or cacao nib in the centre)

Snacking with Intention

These healthy homemade snacks offer more nutrition, less waste, and far fewer additives than the boxes and bags you find at the store. They’re quick to prepare, easy on the wallet, and better for your body. Plus, you’re not lining the pockets of corporations profiting from healthwashed junk food.

But here’s a radical idea—if you really want to save time and money, you could just… skip the snacks. I know, I know. That sounds extreme in our snack-obsessed culture. But for most of human history, people didn’t graze all day. They ate hearty, whole-food meals and called it good.

They even made it through rationing during the 1940s—without goldfish crackers or squeezable yogurt tubes. Imagine that!

So if you’re tired of the snack-time chaos, or trying to raise kids who eat real food, try experimenting with a more old-fashioned approach: fewer snacks, more mindful meals, and real nourishment when hunger actually strikes.

Frequently Asked Questions About Healthy Snacking

Is it healthy to snack between meals?

It depends on what you’re snacking on! Mindful snacking with whole foods like fruit, yogurt, or nuts can nourish your body and keep energy levels stable. But snacking too often—or choosing processed foods high in sugar and seed oils—can lead to sluggish digestion and a dulled appetite for real meals.

What are some healthy snack ideas for kids?

Kids love variety and fun textures! I often serve simple, nutrient-dense options like chia pudding with berries, yogurt with honey and bee pollen, or apple slices with seed butter. Smoothies and homemade popcorn are favourites around here, too. These healthy snack ideas are easy to prep and free from artificial flavours and preserv,atives.

Should I try to stop snacking altogether?

It’s a bold idea—but yes, you can go without snacks! Especially if meals are well-balanced and filling. After reading French Kids Eat Everything, I decided to cut out snacks between meals—and it made a big difference. My kids whine sometimes, but they come to the table hungry and ready to eat. It’s a gentle way to restore natural hunger cues.

Why avoid processed snack foods?

Many packaged snacks are filled with refined sugar, preservatives, and seed oils that can impact energy, mood, and long-term health. I prefer making my own wholesome snacks at home, which means less plastic, more nutrients, and more control over what’s going into our bodies.

What are some alternatives to traditional snack foods?

If you’re trying to quit junk food but still want something tasty, try “nice cream” made from frozen bananas, or homemade jello with real fruit juice. Hard boiled eggs, hummus with seed crackers, or seaweed snacks roasted without oils are also great alternatives to traditional chips or cookies.

Love and gratitude,
Sylvia

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Note: This post was adapted from my original post on Substack.