Healthy Foods Guide
SNAP benefits help families buy healthy foods. Starting September 1, 2026, some foods and drinks will be limited under a new SNAP policy. These items often have a lot of added sugar, caffeine or stimulants and do not provide much nutrition. This guide can help SNAP families make healthier food choices.
Limit Sugary Drinks & Beverages
Sugary drinks are a major source of added sugar. Drinking too many of these can lead to weight gain, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and other health problems.
Healthier drink choices include water, milk, 100% fruit juice, unsweetened drinks or tea without added sugar.
Avoid Marketed Energy Drinks, Shots or Mixes
Energy drinks are sold as products that increase energy or alertness. Many have large amounts of caffeine or other stimulants like taurine, ginseng, or guarana. Too much caffeine can cause fast heart rate, trouble sleeping, jitters or feeling anxious.
Healthier ways to get energy include eating balanced meals, drinking water during the day, choosing snacks with both protein and fiber, and getting enough sleep.
Limit Candy & Sweet Treats
Candy and sweet treats have a lot of added sugar and few nutrients. Eating too much candy can lead to weight gain and poor health. Healthier snack choices include fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, yogurt and popcorn. These foods give your body vitamins, minerals, protein, fiber and contribute towards better health.
SNAP benefits support the purchase of many healthy foods.
Consider the following foods from each of the food groups for a healthy diet.
Fruits & Vegetables - fresh, frozen, canned or dried
Examples include apples, asparagus, avocados, bananas, beets, bell peppers, berries, broccoli, Brussel sprouts, cabbage, cantaloupe, carrots, cauliflower, celery, cherries, corn, cucumbers, garlic, grapes, green beans, kale, kiwi, leafy greens, lettuce, lemons, limes, mangoes, mushrooms, onions, oranges, peas, pears, pineapple, plums, pomegranate, potatoes, prunes, raisins, squash, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, watermelon and zucchini.
Protein Foods - fresh, frozen, canned, dried or packaged
Examples include beans, beef, bison, chicken, deli meat, eggs, fish, nuts, seeds, nut (peanut, almond, sun) butters, plant-based burgers (soy or veggie), pork, protein bars, tempeh and tofu.
If a protein food item has a “Nutrition Facts” label, it is usually SNAP eligible. Hot foods, such as rotisserie chicken, are not eligible.
Dairy - whole, 2%, 1%, skim or plant-based
Examples include almond milk, butter, block or shredded cheese, cottage cheese, cow’s milk, cream, cream cheese, Greek yogurt, lactose-free milk, oat milk, regular yogurt, sour cream, soy milk and string cheese.
Whole Grains - 100% whole grain, white, rye, multigrain, sourdough or other
Examples include breads, buns, cereals, crackers, flour, oats, pancake or waffle mix, pasta noodles, popcorn, raw grains (quinoa, bulgur, barley, Kamut or other) and rice (brown, white or wild).
Other SNAP-Eligible Healthy Foods
Examples include herbs (cilantro, parsley and basil), salad bag mixes, vegetable mix blends and edible plant seeds.