The best snacks to eat while high

You’re about to learn how to conquer the munchies. We’ve cooked up a list of foods (both indulgent and healthy) that will help to satisfy your cravings for something sweet or savoury when high.

Cannabis affects different people in different ways. However, almost all users share the common experience of a ravenous appetite after hitting blunts or bongs. Why does this happen? Because THC, the principal psychoactive component found in weed, activates receptor sites involved in appetite. Under normal psychological conditions, a THC-like molecule known as anandamide binds to this receptor to drive hunger. Vaping, smoking, or eating high-THC cannabis, however, leads to excessive activation of this site, which then leads to an excessive appetite.

But fear not! Cannabis didn’t create a bottomless pit in your stomach. You just need to discover the right foods to quench the munchies.

Knowing what to eat when the munchies hit

Cannabis users fall into two categories when it comes to dealing with munchies. The first type of smoker goes to great lengths to procure their favourite munchie-busting snack before lighting a single joint. This intelligent approach results in having top-tier food within arm’s reach at all times.

The second type of smoker makes a scramble for the kitchen with little preparation beforehand. Oftentimes, they have to settle for whatever they find lingering at the back of their fridge and cupboards; luckily, even the basics of bread and butter are palatable when high enough!

Regardless of which category you slot into, sometimes you fail to gain the upper hand against the munchies. Despite eating several thousand calories in a single gluttonous sitting, you still find yourself pining for another mouthful. If you want to smack down your appetite when high, then you need to check out the best stoner snacks below to get the job done.

Tasty snacks to feed your munchies

Eating healthily feels rewarding, but salads and fruits don’t always work to keep extreme munchies at bay. If your appetite feels particularly severe after a packed blunt or vape chamber, you’ll likely need something a bit more calorically dense to make you feel full. So, where should you turn? To the epic stoner snacks below, of course! This list features some classic—though equally naughty—indulgences that will fill your tummy and set your taste buds ablaze.

Grilled cheese

Cheese. Who doesn’t love it? This dairy product doesn’t just taste superb, but it contains a fascinating chemical known as casein. While THC gets you high by targeting cannabinoid receptors, this cheese-derived protein targets the opioid receptors—sites involved in sensations of reward and pleasure.

Some hungry stoners opt for barbarism when high, sinking their teeth into a block of cheese straight out of the packet. However, you can dramatically improve your feasting experience by firing up your stove or grill! Grab a couple slices of bread and a block of cheddar, brie, halloumi, or any cheese that you prefer. Spread some butter on one side of each slice, load the bread with the good stuff, and cook in a skillet until the bread becomes toasted and the cheese melts. Get this goodness into your stomach and thank us later!

Pop-Tarts

Pop-Tarts are a quintessential stoner snack. Nobody can argue that. It’s almost like the inventor of these sugary treats had weed smokers in mind during the inception of these sinful snacks. For the uninitiated: Pop-Tarts are essentially toasted pastries that feature various toppings and fillings. We do not doubt that they’ll blow your mind—just make sure you have a full box before firing up your bud to avoid any disappointment further down the line. Even if you’re a picky eater, you’ll find something to hit your taste buds in the right way. Some of the most fanciful flavours include:

• Snickerdoodle
• Frosted grape
• Strawberry banana
• Cinnamon sugar pretzel
• Eggo frosted maple
• Salted caramel pretzel
• Lemon groove

Crisps & dip

Crisps and dip!? Of all the crunchy, greasy, and salty goodness available, why would we recommend such a seemingly basic option? Humble your munchie-afflicted mind for a moment, dear reader. Crisps and dip certainly form the cornerstone of a half-arsed lunch buffet, but, when done right, they possess the ability to satiate the hungriest of weed lovers. You see, we’re not talking a pack of Doritos and salsa—both too close to their sell-by date for comfort—from the shelves of your nearest corner shop. No. We want to present to you combinations that will change your opinion of this underrated munchie-appeaser. Delicious options include:

• Artichoke dip with pita crisps
• Guacamole with plantain crisps
• Cream cheese with hot Cheetos
• Spicy hummus with sweet potato chips
• Potato crisps with onion dip

Pizza

You knew this was coming. You’ve had pizza on your mind since you clicked on this page. Well, here it goes. We’re about to inform you of something that you knew—deep in your heart—from the day you started smoking weed: pizza cures the munchies. It might take two slices; it might take two pizzas. Either way, these warm layers of dough, cheese, tomato sauce, and an assortment of toppings have what it takes to tame the appetite. You already have your favourite pizza, but we’re going to throw some of the classics out there to tempt you into new waters:

• Margherita pizza
• Italian sausage pan pizza
• Pepperoni
• Hawaiian pizza (forgive us, pineapple deniers)
• Buffalo pizza
• BBQ chicken

Ice cream

We’ve delved into the savoury. You’ve filled up on salt, cheese, and meat. If the munchies are still rearing their head, you need to fire the dessert killshot. What better way to go about piling some sugar into your system than ice cream?

This scholarly topic has the potential to fill hefty tomes, so we need to keep things brief. Realistically, you have two choices: bowl or cone. Past these vessels, you need to choose a flavour. Or two. Or five. To save you from browsing the taste archives in your brain to land on the most memorable, let us help you out with these delights:

• Vanilla
• Coconut
• Mango
• Oreo
• Strawberry
• Mint chocolate
• Matcha
• Pistachio
• Coffee
• Cookie dough

Healthy snacks to feed your munchies

Unless you’re an athlete, gym rat, or possess a particularly rapid metabolism, it won’t take long until abiding by the munchies starts to add a few inches to your waistline. The hedonistic impulse to shovel down pizza, ice cream, and crisps appeals to instant gratification in the short term, but serves up body composition ramifications later down the line. If you want to change things up—for the better—and ingest more nutrients while you’re at it, then give some of the foods below a go.

Granola & nuts

Many people opt for granola and nuts as a reliable and energy-boosting breakfast. However, this duo also works surprisingly well at satisfying the stomach during the evening after a smoking session. You can get creative with the “nuts” component of this pairing. Try out cashews, almonds, brazil nuts, hazelnuts, pine nuts, pecans, and macadamias. Add a good glug of milk to help it go down smooth. Want a vegan option? Then experiment with rice, hemp, coconut, or oat milk instead.

Popcorn

As the quintessential cinema foodstuff, many people view popcorn as an indulgence. However, this addictive snack features a high fibre content and a low calorie count, making it relatively guilt-free. Salted popcorn occupies the healthier end of the spectrum, whereas popcorn coated in caramel packs considerably more calories.

Fresh fruit

You’ve never experienced the true taste of a ripe mango until you’ve done so with red eyes. That said, nature provides a bounty of equally sweet and exotic fruits that make every smoking session a joyous occasion. Try out durian, mangosteen, jackfruit, cantaloupe, watermelon, dates, figs, and cherries as healthy sources of sugar.

Hummus & salad/vegetables

Vegetables aren’t high in calories, but their incredible fibre content will help you feel full if you can get enough of them down. Few people find joy in scoffing down a bowl of fresh veg, but adding hummus to the equation makes the proposition far more appealing. Different flavours of hummus include avocado, black bean, roasted red pepper, garlic, and sweet potato. Use carrots and celery as healthier alternatives to breadsticks.

Greek yoghurt with honey

A truly delectable duo, Greek yoghurt and honey rarely fail to hit the spot. As well as tasting nice, this snack will reward your physiology with high levels of calcium, good bacteria that bolster gut health, and protein to build strong muscles.

Keeping the munchies at bay

Gone are the days of falling prey to endless munchies. You’re now equipped with a reliable list of snacks that quickly lay waste to the hedonistic urge to keep eating. Go forth, weed lover, and hit that bong, free from the fear of an appetite that knows no master.