My friends often comment on my out of the ordinary “snack game.” Snacks seem to have gotten a bad rep as crunchy, processed, nutrient-lacking “junk foods.” But it's time to re-think our snacking potential. Why can't snacks be full of nutrition AND satisfy our desire for something tasty? A few favorite snacks of mine include a mini fruit & veggie smoothie, bell peppers and fresh guacamole or fresh sliced heirloom tomatoes drizzled with olive oil and balsamic.In a perfect world, we’d all have enough time, a portable blender, refrigerator and cutting board to prepare delicious, fresh & healthy snacks from scratch on a whim. However, for many of use, these are far-fetched dreams leaving us confused & hungry. But fear not! There’s no need to suffer through between-meal hunger with these convenient AND healthy on-the-go snacks.Snack hunting can be an intimidating endeavor especially with the abundant options today. But don’t worry, I did the leg work for you. Perusing the isles of grocery stores I was on the hunt for nutritious snacks without funky additives. I was excited to find many new and interesting products, but was still disappointed to see sugar as a reoccurring ingredient. No wonder our world is so hooked on sweets! This made me determined to find options made whole-food ingredients & free of added sugar. Here’s what I found:
Portable
These are shelf-stable items you can carry with you on the go.
- “Lara Bar” (at Target, Sprouts, Whole Foods & Trader Joe’s)
- “Nothing but Fruit & Nuts” (at Trader Joe’s)
- “R Bar” (at Sprouts, Whole Foods & many local markets/coffee shops because locally made in Tucson!)
- “RX Bar” (at Sprouts, Whole Foods & Target)
- “EPIC” meat bars (at Sprouts, Safeway, Whole Foods & Target)
- “EPIC Performance Bar” – Peanut Butter (at Sprouts, Safeway, Whole Foods & Target)
- “Go Raw Organic Sprouted Bites”
- “Go Raw Organic Sprouted Grow Plant Protein Bar”
- “Go Raw Organic Raw Super Cookies”
- “Go Raw Super Simple Sprouted Flax Snax”
- “Base Culture Energy Bites” (at Sprouts)
- “Bare” Apple and Banana Chips with “Wild Friends” or “Crazy Richard’s” squeeze almond/peanut butter (at Sprouts or Whole Foods)
- "Dang" Coconut Chips pair with dried fruit (at Sprouts, Whole Foods & Target)
- Dried Fruit/Freeze Dried Fruit with a handful of nuts (Trader Joe’s, Sprouts and Target have endless options in this category. Just be sure to pick one without added sugar. Many even have pre-portioned nuts)
- “Just Beets” (at Trader Joe’s – dehydrated beets, that’s it.)
- “Crispy Crunchy Okra” (at Trader Joe’s)
- Kale Chips (“Sprouts Sea Salt Kale Chips,” “Rhythm Super Foods” Kale Chips & “Brad’s Plant-based Vampire Killer” Kale Chips (at Sprouts)
- “Seed & Bean Medley” (at trader joe’s, roasted seeds and beans. A satisfyingly crunchy snack)
- Dry Roasted Edamame by “Seapoint Farms” (at Sprouts)
- “Biena” Sea Salt Roasted Chickpea Snacks (at Sprouts and Whole Foods)
- “Saffron Road” Crunchy Chickpeas – Sea Salt (at Sprouts and Whole Foods)
- “Jica Chips” (at Sprouts & Whole Foods)
- “Siete” Grain Free Tortilla Chips (at Sprouts & Whole Foods)
- Trail mix. Be sure to pick one without added sugar. The “Go Raw Trek Mix” at Trader Joe’s is just nuts & raisins. Or make your own with your favorite nuts, seeds and dried fruit.
- “Super Seedz” spicy pumpkin seeds (at Sprouts)
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Grab & Go
These are items you could stop and pick up at a grocery or convenience store.
- Cherry tomatoes & olives (from the olive bar at Sprouts, Whole Foods or Safeway)
- Sliced jicama sticks and Guacamole (pre-sliced jicama at Safeway, Fry’s and Sprouts, individual guacamole cups at Trader Joe’s, Sprouts & Safeway)
- Baby carrots & hummus (“Lantana” White Bean and Edamame individual hummus at Sprouts)
- A piece of fresh fruit & nut butter
- Sugar snap peas and olive tapenade
- Hard boiled egg & a Pickle (“Almark” Eggs & “Oh Snap Pickling Co.” in the deli section at Sprouts)
- Plain Greek yogurt/cottage cheese and blueberries
- Mozzarella stick & grape tomatoes
- “Curried Cauliflower Salad” (at Trader Joe’s)
- “Balela” Chickpea Salad (at Trader Joe’s)
- "Curry Cauliflower Quinoa Salad" (at Trader Joe’s)
- Roasted Seaweed Avocado Roll up (Make it yourself with seaweed paper at Trader Joe’s or Sprouts and an avocado)
- Green Drink (pre-made at Sprouts in the deli department)
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