1. PB Thins / 2. Apple Chips / 3. Glazed Cashews / 4. Cocoa Somersaults / 5. Lentil Chips / 6. Spinach & Garlic Crackers / 7. Cereal Bars / 8. Black Beans / 9. Blueberry Muffin Mix / 10. Flapjack Mix
Junk food may be delicious, but it obviously isn’t nutritious. For years I avoided “healthy” snacks because I assumed they wouldn’t taste good, but since I’ve worked here at Swanson, I’ve seen the light. I am thrilled to find out that there are some really great alternatives to my favorite junk foods.
I went on a mission to try all sorts of items from the Swanson store to find the very best foods that not only were better choices based on their ingredients, but also pleased my taste buds just as much as the “junk” I used to buy.
These are some of my favorite finds:
Suggestions for Your Sweet Tooth
-PB2 PB Thins: My husband has requested we keep these stocked at home, and they’re a great addition to our lunch boxes.
-Yogavive Organic Popped Apple Chips: By far the best apple chips I have ever tasted. Crunchy and sweet!
-Sahale Snacks Pomegranate Vanilla Cashews: I’m not a big fan of nuts, but these pomegranate vanilla flavored cashews are undeniably delicious.
-Back to Nature Chocolate Chunk Cookies: If you have a soft spot for chocolate chip cookies, these will be your new best friend.
-Go Raw Spirulina Super Chips: These taste way better than they look, and are surprisingly satisfying!
-Bob’s Red Mill Shortbread Cookie Mix: A co-worker brought these in to work one day, and when I dunked the cookie into my coffee, my world changed.
Best Salty Snacks
-Somersaults: Though these sunflower seed snacks also have a great cinnamon flavor, the cracked black pepper is my fave.
-Simply 7 Lentil Chips: The creamy dill flavor tastes like sour cream and onion chips, and I feel way better about snacking on these!
-Back to Nature Spinach & Roasted Garlic Crackers: These are the best snack crackers I have ever tasted. I have a hard time not eating the whole box!
-Krave Teriyaki Pork Jerky: This jerky is better for you than the kind in the store, and my husband loves finding them packed in his lunch.
-Living Nutz Garlic Onion Pistachios: These little guys pack a big flavor punch, yet somehow they are super healthy too.
-Kameda Frosted Rice Crackers: These are deceiving delicious. They’re crunchy, salty and sweet, and taste great.
Everyday Essentials
-Health Valley Cereal Bars: These blow Nutri Grain bars out of the water!
-Eden Foods black beans, quinoa and pasta sauces: All are staples in my cupboards!
-Hodgson Mill bread and baking mixes: Whole wheat and gluten free options that taste good and are easy.
-Kodiak Cakes Flapjack Mix: Hearty and delicious breakfasts.
-Swanson Organic Spices: The cinnamon and nutmeg are popular ones.
-Bob’s Red Mill oatmeal, chia seeds, potato flakes and polenta.
-Simply Organic vanilla extract: I use this in baking all the time.
-Annie’s condiments and mac & cheese: I much prefer these to all other store-bought varieties.
-Ghee: I prefer this to all other cooking oils, and use it on toast and in my stovetop cooking.
-Swanson Organic Ground Coffee: I love that this is certified organic but has a rich, smooth taste that is perfect for waking up.
I’m not much for religious label reading, but I do always scan the ingredients. Some of these snacks may not be as healthy as they could be, but for my family, small changes are what will lead to bigger, better lifelong choices. And all are great steps in the right direction. Just remember not to overeat and use portion control.
What are your favorite healthy snacks? Let me know! I’m always looking for more awesome finds.