This post contains links through which we may earn a small commission should you make a purchase from a brand. This in no way affects our ability to objectively critique the products and brands we review.
Evidence Based Research To fulfill our commitment to bringing our audience accurate and insightful content, our expert writers and medical reviewers rely on carefully curated research. Read Our Editorial Policy
Whether youโre a newbie to the Whole30 diet or this isnโt your first rodeo, it can be challenging to find Whole30-compliant snacks that are both healthy and delicious.
As the Whole30 plan is a modified version of the paleo diet, eliminating grains, dairy, alcohol, sugar, beans, legumes, soy, and ultra-processed or fried foods, you can imagine that many of your typical snacks are a no-go during this month.
But not to worryโweโve got you covered with ten of the best Whole30-approved snacks to keep you going with a tasty and nutritious treat to fight the โhangryโ feelings while still keeping you Whole-30 compliant.
Top 10 Best Whole30 Snacks
1. Primal Kitchen Deviled Eggs with Avocado Oil Mayo
Primal Kitchen Deviled Eggs with Avocado Oil Mayo
Okay, we get that these arenโt really โon-the-goโ friendly (well, technically, anything can be eaten on the go if you arenโt afraid of a little mess).
But Primal Kitchen leads the pack when it comes to Whole30-approved condiments and dressings, as they are made with heart-healthy avocado oil.
To make deviled eggs Whole30-compliant, all you need to do is swap out your typical mayo made with soybean oil for avocado oil mayo from Primal Kitchen.
Eggs are the perfect food for the Whole30 diet, as they are packed with satiating protein, healthy fats, and micronutrients.
RXBars are gluten-free protein bars that are low in added sugar and contain real food ingredients.
Some RXBarsโlike Chocolate Sea Salt and Banana Chocolate โare debated in the Whole30 community, as the โchocolate flavorโ isnโt always considered Whole30-friendly. For a safer bet, try the Blueberry, Mixed Berry, and Vanilla Almond RXBars for a quick and easy Whole30-approved snack to throw in your bag.
You canโt get more paleo than a straight-up meat stick.
Chomps are a high-quality meat snack made with grass-fed beef, venison, or turkey that have the hard-to-receive โWhole30 Approvedโ seal stamped on them.
These tasty snacks give you the convenience of Slim Jimsโwithout any of the mystery meat or additivesโin delicious flavors like jalapeno, Italian, habanero, and salt and pepper.
An on-the-go snack that packs in both high-quality meat and nutrient-dense plants is pretty rareโbut Wild Zora makes it happen.
Although most people might shy away from a meat and veggie bar, Wild Zora bars are highly rated in the Whole30 community, especially the Mediterranean Lamb flavor.
The meats found in Wild Zora are all 100% grass-fed or free-range, with no grains, antibiotics, or hormones.
Plus, all their flavors are Whole30-approved, including the Apple Pork, Curry Turkey, BBQ Beef, Taco Pork, and Chili Pork Bars.
Another high-quality meat brand with dozens of Whole30-compliant snacks is EPICโa company dedicated to not only animal welfare but also the environment.
EPICโs meat bars, jerky, and bites are grass-fed and pasture-raised animal products, and the brand is also a sponsor of The Savory Institute, which helps promote holistic land management practices.
Whole30 enthusiasts are fans of the Sweet & Spicy Sriracha Beef Bites, as well as the Chicken BBQ Bar, Beef Jalapeno Bar, and the Venison Sea Salt Pepper Bars.
Weโre taking it from land to the sea with SeaSnax roasted seaweed, providing a light and crispy chip-like consistency that will satisfy your need for a salty Whole30 snack.
Seaweed is rich in healthy omega-3 fats, which are beneficial for your heart and brain, as well as the minerals calcium, magnesium, potassium, and iron.
In addition to the classic Sea Salt flavor, SeaSnax also carries Chipotle, Wasabi, Jalapeno, Lime, and Onion flavors.
Although you can definitely eat these straight out of the package, you can also wrap them around avocado and veggies for a sushi-like snack or crumble them over salads or egg dishes to add a salty umami flavor.
Although peanut butter is a no-go on the Whole30 plan, almond butter is a great alternative.
Almond butter has similar calories and fat but more micronutrients than peanut butter, including almost three times as much vitamin E, double the amount of iron, and seven times more calcium than peanut butter.
Barney provides convenient travel packs that you can squeeze onto fruits and veggies, or even straight into your mouthโwe wonโt judge.
Compared to many brands of almond butter that are gritty-textured or slightly bitter, Barney blanches the almonds to remove the skins, providing an ultra-smooth and balanced taste and texture.
These gluten-free crackers are made with almond flour, sunflower seeds, flax seeds, cassava root, and some herbs and spicesโand they taste delicious, too.
However, some die-hard Whole30 followers might argue that Simple Mills crackers are technically a โbaked goodโโso, despite being made with Whole 30-friendly ingredients, they might be on the no-no list.
If youโre more a fan of sweet than savory, Thatโs It bars are simply made of two dried fruits per barโthatโs it!
The mini fruit bars contain no added sugar, less than 60 calories, and no preservatives, making them a perfect snack when youโre tired of the savory meat bars.
Although itโs not a weight loss planโand they try to refrain from using the word โdietโโit is technically an elimination diet for 30 days.
Whole30 does not track calories, macros, or pointsโit focuses on consuming high-quality, nutrient-dense foods, and eliminates:
Added sugar and artificial sweeteners (including white or brown sugar, maple syrup, honey, agave nectar, stevia, monk fruit extract, Splenda, and other artificial sweeteners)
Natural non-caloric sweeteners (like stevia and monk fruit) arenโt allowed because Whole30 is designed to reset your tastebuds in order to reduce sugar cravings.
All grains and gluten (including barley, corn, oats, quinoa, buckwheat, whole wheat pasta, and breads)
Dairy (including all cowโs milk, goatโs milk, and sheepโs milk products; the only exception is clarified butter or ghee)
Beans, lentils, and legumes (all legumes except green beans and most peas), including peanuts
Alcohol (including alcohol used in cooking)
Soy (including tofu and soy sauce)
Fried and processed foods (including French fries, chips, and cookies)
What Can You Eat on Whole30?
With that extensive list of what not to eat, you may wonder whatโs leftโhereโs a list of what to consume on Whole30.
Unprocessed meat, eggs, and seafood (beef, chicken, turkey, fish, shellfish, and other seafood)
Vegetables (all vegetables, even starchy veggies like potatoes, sweet potatoes, and peas)
Healthy fats (olive oil, coconut oil, avocado oil, and ghee or clarified butter)
Coffee and tea (without added sugar or dairy)
Herbs, spices, and iodized salt
Pros and Cons of Whole30
The advantages of the Whole30 diet include:
Eliminates added sugarโa common cause of diet-related diseases, including obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and metabolic syndrome
Reduces intake of โjunk food,โ ultra-processed foods, and fried foods
Makes you more knowledgeable and aware of ingredients
Reduces sugar cravings and may lead to better blood sugar control, which can reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes
May reduce inflammation
Could lead to weight loss in people at an unhealthy weight
However, there are also some downsides to the Whole30 diet, including:
Eliminates foods that many people consider healthy, like legumes, beans, yogurt, and some whole grains, which are good sources of fiber, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants
May be lower in fiber if not eating enough fruits and vegetables
Can be too restrictive and may lead to disordered eating in some people
Although it may lead to weight loss, many people regain weight quickly once the 30 days are up
FAQs About Whole30 Snacks
What Snacks Are Whole30 Approved?
In addition to the packaged snacks on this list, there are also dozens of Whole30-compliant healthy snacks that are natural and unpackaged, including:
– Hard-boiled eggs – Nuts and seeds (except peanuts) – Banana or apple with almond butter – Celery and almond butter – Canned tuna or salmon – Apple chips (dried apples)
Can You Eat Popcorn on Whole30?
Unfortunately, popcorn is not allowed on Whole30 because it is made from a grain (corn).
Is Banana OK on Whole30?
Yes, bananasโand all fruitโare Whole30-compliant.
Is Peanut Butter Whole30?
No, peanuts and peanut butter are technically a legume, not a nut, so peanut butter is not allowed on the Whole30 plan.
Are Potato Chips OK on Whole30?
Although whole potatoes are allowed on Whole30, potato chips are not because they are fried.
In fact, as of 2017 rules, Whole30 does not allow store-bought chips of any origin, including potato, tortilla, sweet potato, coconut, kale, or plantain chips.
Melissa Hartwig, the founder of Whole30, states that storebought chips are not allowed because they are not โreal, whole, nutrient-denseโ food.
Is Oatmeal Allowed on Whole30?
No, oatmeal is a grain, so it is not allowed on Whole30.
Do You Lose Weight on Whole30?
Many people lose weight on Whole30, but others do not.
The goal of Whole30 is not to lose weight but to improve the quality and nutrient density of your food.
Whole30 doesnโt recommend that you weigh or measure yourself during the 30-day program but instead focus on how you feel.
Why Am I So Hungry on Whole30?
Due to the restrictive nature of Whole30, you may not be able to eat many of the foods you typically consume.
If youโre feeling ravenous on Whole30, ensure youโre eating enough protein, healthy fat, and fiber-rich carbohydrates at each meal.
Plus, make sure you are fully hydrated, as dehydration can often cause feelings of hunger.
Key Takeaways
The Whole30 diet eliminates several food groups, including added sugars, gluten and grains, dairy, alcohol, soy, and ultra-processed or fried foods.
Although Whole30 recommends eating primarily whole and unprocessed foods, there are plenty of sweet and savory snacks that are Whole30-compliant.
Energy drinks and sugary snacks may be louder, sweeter, and faster-acting than natural sources of sugar, but rarely are those benefits conferred without some form of reckoning down the road.
Sure, gravity wins in the end, but that doesnโt mean we canโt use everything at our disposal to keep our weight-bearing joints from breaking down prematurely.
We're health-conscious people who want to help others take control of their nutrition by offering spin-free, hype-free information that is medically accurate, confirmed by doctors.
Food is for physical wellness, and pharmaceutical products are for mental health conditionsโthatโs where most of us land when it comes to nutrition psychiatry.
Nutrition is understandably not priority one in the chaotic moments immediately following a traumatic brain injury (TBI), but as soon as the patient is stable, nutrition therapy shares center stage with other key tenets of TBI rehabilitation.
Normally, weโre content to bounce around new and/or controversial theories on nutritional concepts all day, but every so often, we have the luxury of seeing in black and white.
This may seem like a fun-killing exercise at first, but weโre not interested in coddling or pandering to our readers, so letโs get the harsh reality out of the way: most of us havenโt earned the right to binge on vacation.