As a parent, one thing we always need in the house are SNACKS.
And…not just for the kids. For myself too!
But nowadays I'm really careful about the snacks I buy.
When I was a child, I ate all the snacks the other kids were eating…Cheetos, Oreos, and Pop-Tarts.
I felt like a zombie. I had no energy, my skin looked awful, and I didn't feel good most of the time.
I now know I would have been a better student, a better kid, a better daughter, and a better sibling, if I had had better nutrition growing up.
I never want my kids to feel the way I did!
The best snacks are always going to be whole foods, like fruit, nuts, or veggie sticks, and this is what my family enjoys as a snack most of the time.
But…there are those times when you're traveling and it's more convenient to have packaged snacks on hand.
Or those times when your kids are at school or have friends over, and want to eat foods that look like what the other children are eating, without it being filled with junky ingredients.
If you're struggling in the snack department…here 5 delicious snack swaps to try:
- FRUIT SNACKS & MELTS
My kids go crazy for melts…but we never buy conventional brands like Gerber because their fruit yogurt melts are filled with refined sugar and "natural flavors" which are made in a lab with proprietary (i.e. secret) ingredients. Even most organic brands have added flavors and aren't made with real fruit or veggies.
This is why we're in love with Amara Organic Smoothie Melts. They're made with organic fruits and veggies - and are free from added sugars, flavors, dyes, and other strange additives. The best part is that my kids devour them, and get so excited when they are in our pantry (we have a hard time keeping them stocked!)
I always want to support brands like Amara who have amazing ingredients and make our lives easier, and this is why I became an investor in Amara.
Want to try Amara? Get 15% OFF Amara with the code VANI15
- POPCORN
You can't have movie night without popcorn, right? Just make sure you stick with organic popcorn. That's because conventional popcorn is often contaminated with pesticides - insecticides, herbicides and fungicides - even if it's Non-GMO Project Verified (all popcorn is Non-GMO anyway). You'll also want to avoid brands with refined oils like soybean and canola oil. I like Lesser Evil brand and various other organic store brands like Sprouts Organic Popcorn with coconut oil.
- CRACKERS
Most crackers are sweetened with high fructose corn syrup and made with refined flour and oils that are inflammatory on the body. You'll also find the controversial preservatives TBHQ (Club and Cheez-Its) or BHT (Wheat Thins) in popular brands.
Instead, look for organic brands made with whole seeds, brown rice, and healthy ingredients that you recognize. Some of my favorite cracker brands are Mary's Gone, Rustic Bakery, Flackers, and Simple Mills (who also makes a good Goldfish swap called Pop Mmms!)
- YOGURT
Instead of buying flavored yogurt with processed sweeteners and fake flavors, get plain organic yogurt (grass-fed dairy or coconut). Then add your own fruit. If you want it sweeter, stir in a little honey. Easy peasy, and tastes better too! Some favorite brands are Maple Hill, Nancy's, or Cocojune.
- SNACK BARS
It's nearly impossible to find a snack bar on the market without "natural flavors" added and other questionable ingredients. This is one of the many reasons why my company Truvani set out to create an organic snack bar made only with ingredients you'd find in your own kitchen: The Only Bar. We've now got 12 delicious flavors and they all taste like a treat! My family really loves the Cherry Chocolate Chip and Mint Chocolate. I'd love to hear which one is your favorite.
Use the exclusive code FOODBABEBARS to get 20% off our Tasting Collection of all 12 flavors! Make sure to enter the code at checkout to get your discount.
I hope this helps you stock the pantry with healthy snacks that you can take anywhere. And don't forget about these offers:
- Amara Organic Smoothie Melts: 15% OFF site-wide with code VANI15
- Truvani The Only Bar: 20% OFF the Tasting Collection with code FOODBABEBARS
In supporting brands who are doing the right things, we are changing the marketplace with our dollars! Thank you.
If you know anyone who needs these snack swaps, please share the love and forward this onto them.
Xo,
Vani
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