Ok, you guys. Time to talk about one of my favorite things ever. SNACKS. As a self-proclaimed Snack Queen, I’m super pumped to share a few of our all-time favorite, go-to snacks that won’t leave you feeling like garbage—physically or mentally (in moderation, of course).
I like to be overly prepared with snacks at all times. You just never know when a snack attack might hit, and those salt and vinegar chips in the office pantry or those donuts that Karen brought in (damnit, Karen!) are way too easy to reach for in an emergency hanger situation. Of course, some of the best and healthiest things to snack on are simple enough as fruits (“nature’s candy”) and veggies—apples or celery with natural peanut butter, carrots with homemade hummus, frozen grapes, and one of my favorites, a banana. But let’s face it, sometimes the body craves things other than fresh produce. That’s where these snacks come in to save the day.
I want to quickly address those of you who are thinking “I don’t have access to these things” or “These brands are more expensive than others.” Access to these (and other similar) products is getting increasingly easier. Grocery stores are starting to catch on, Whole Foods and other organic markets are popping up all over the place (Hi, Mom’s Organic Market! We love you <3), and e-commerce sites like Amazon, Instacart and Thrive Market are making it even easier—and oftentimes cheaper—to get your hands on these products. As for justifying the cost, if you view your health and wellness as an investment versus an expense, then investing in healthier snack options should easily find a way into your budget. You’re worth the investment. Just sayin’!
Taylor’s picks
LesserEvil Buddha Bowl Organic Popcorn, Himalayan Pink
“I honestly was never a huge fan of popcorn until discovering this stuff. It’s so light in flavor, making it the perfect sweet and salty snack to eat a decent amount of, without feeling guilty or overindulgent. This LesserEvil popcorn comes in at about 36 calories per cup, whereas Boom Chicka Pop Sweet and Salt Kettle Corn comes in at 70 calories per cup, and Smartfood White Cheddar Popcorn hangs around 91 calories per cup. P.S. Their Oh My Ghee flavor is also to die for—perfect for movie night when you want that buttery taste!”
Ingredients: Organic Non-GMO Popcorn, Organic Coconut Oil, Himalayan Salt.
Siete Foods Nacho Grain Free Tortilla Chips + Hope Foods Spicy Avocado Hummus
“This combination takes the cake as far as snacks go in my book. As in, I literally can’t live without it in my kitchen. I’ve always loved hummus, and lately, I’ve been loving making it from scratch at home. Until I discovered Hope Foods Spicy Avocado Hummus, that is. This stuff is so darn good, and you can tell that it’s made from whole ingredients, to the point that it almost tastes homemade. As for the chips, I never loved tortilla chips that much. I always thought they were pretty flavorless and too thick. Well, Siete Foods Nacho Tortilla Chips nail it on both the flavor and texture scale. They’re thin and crispy, and the flavors are unreal. Put these two together, and I promise you, it’ll be a match made in snack heaven.”
Ingredients (Chips): Cassava Flour, Avocado Oil, Coconut Flour, Ground Chia Seed, Sea Salt, Tomato Powder, Nutritional Yeast, Smoked Serrano Powder, Citric Acid, Jalapeño Powder, Toasted Onion Powder, Roasted Garlic Powder.
Ingredients (Hummus): Garbanzo Beans, Water, Avocado, Jalapeños, Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Tahini, Sea Salt, Garlic Powder, Spices, Lime Juice, Citric Acid, Cilantro, Paprika.
P.S. Snacks Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough
“Generally speaking, I don’t really have a sweet tooth. But I’ve come to learn that I need a sweet snack on hand at all times, on the rare occasion that I crave something sweet after dinner. P.S. Snacks chocolate chip cookie dough has become my go-to for these occasions. It has just the right amount of sweetness in a few bites that I need to feel satisfied. How can cookie dough be considered healthy? Their secret ingredient is chickpeas! Weird? Not even a little bit.”
Ingredients: Organic Garbanzo Beans, Almonds, Organic Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips (Organic Raw Cane Sugar, Organic Chocolate Liquor, Organic Cocoa Butter), Organic Cane Sugar, Organic Virgin Coconut Oil, Baking Powder, Pure Vanilla Extract, Himalayan Pink Sea Salt.
Hope’s picks
RXBAR—Favorite Flavors: Chocolate Sea Salt, Pumpkin Spice, Mint Chocolate
“When I discovered RXBAR, these scrumptious bars quickly became my workweek breakfast replacement. By the time I finish my morning coffee, I’m running around getting things ready for the school day and find myself without time, not to mention not super hungry, for breakfast. So, I’ll snack on one of these bars throughout the morning and it will keep me full until my noon lunch! My palate has an affinity for sweet, and as I made my way through all of the RXBAR flavors, I found I enjoy the Chocolate Sea Salt, Pumpkin Spice, and Mint Chocolate the best. PSA: Have floss on hand if eating at work/in public because these can be quite sticky.”
Ingredients: Dates, Egg Whites, Almonds, Cashews, Chocolate, Cocoa, Natural Flavors, Sea Salt.
“I’ve never considered myself much of an ice cream person. Of course I liked ice cream, but it was never something I had to have or really sought out. Well, Halo Top has changed that position for me! I usually find myself craving something sweet after dinner. Halo Top is a perfect, guilt-free treat to satisfy that pesky sweet tooth. I’ve tried some other “healthy ice creams” and they’ve tasted “fake”, but I do not feel that way about Halo Top at all, and I’ve spooned my way through several flavors. Oatmeal Cookie (at 280 calories PER PINT…say what!?) is a favorite of mine, as there are actually rolled oats that make for a nice, soft crunch. Red Velvet is outta this world too!”
Ingredients: Skim Milk, Eggs, Erythritol, Prebiotic Fiber, Milk Protein Concentrate, Cream, Organic Cane Sugar, Vegetable Glycerin, Rolled Oats, Sea Salt, Natural Flavor, Cinnamon, Organic Carob Gum, Organic Guar Gum, Organic Stevia Leaf Extract.
Nature Box Aged Cheddar Lentil Loops
“When trying to come up with a comprehensive snack list, there’s gotta be something crunchy on my list. Crunchy does not usually equal healthy, but hey, everything in moderation, kids! Nature Box has so many snacks that pack immense flavor with not-so-terrible-for-you ingredients. I don’t like to snack on things that are just “blah”—like pretzels in Chex Mix, if we’re being brutally honest—I like bold flavors, and that’s what you’ll find with these Aged Cheddar Lentil Loops. There’s also something satisfying to the snacking enthusiast about a hefty crunch and large, but still small enough to be bite size, bite to make these loops one of my favorite snacks. Slide into our DMs for more Nature Box deets and praise.”
Ingredients: Lentil Flour, Potato Starch, Safflower Oil, Organic Buttermilk, Salt, Sugar, Organic Whey, Rice Flour, Organic Cheddar Cheese, Onion Powder, Natural Flavors, Yeast Extract, Organic Cream, Lactic Acid, Paprika Extract, Citric Acid, Garlic Powder, Turmeric Extract.
Philly Fit Foodies 