Snacking, for better or for worse, is almost always an indulgence. Rarely do snack companies parrot the values of healthy eating. Usually, most choose to market their foods as a guilty pleasure worth indulging in. But if one thing was apparent at Natural Products Expo West, the annual exhibit of natural and organic foods that took place in Anaheim this past March, it’s that healthy snacking is on the rise.
From monkfruit-sweetened almonds to fresh, 100% organic cold-pressed juice, these brands are proving that snacking doesn’t need to be a guilt trip.
Mighty Sesame products, three flavors of smooth tahini in a squeezable bottle
Grillo’s Pickles – Pickles
While most people only encounter pickles on a burger or as a side, Grillo’s Pickles is turning this once-in-a-while delight into a daily pleasure. The company offers a delicious range of products from Classic Dill Spears to Sweet & Spicy Chips. They even coined their own creation, the Pickle De Gallo–a slightly sour spin on pico de gallo that works just as well with a tortilla chip as it does on a sandwich. Grillo’s pickles are available in the refrigerated section of most grocery stores as well as online.
Select Harvest Almond Snacks – Almonds
Nuts are typically a healthy snack choice, until one delves into the variety of sweetened and flavored nut mixes on the market. While Select Harvest does offer several classically sweetened almond recipes, the company truly shines with its three monkfruit-sweetened flavors. Vanilla Monk Crunch, Maple Monk Crunch, and Cinnamon Monk Crunch each offer the delicious joy of sweet nuts with zero added sugar. Not only is it a great treat for someone on the keto diet, it’s a perfect way to satisfy one’s sweet tooth without raising the blood sugar. Select Harvest Almond Snacks can be found online and in several major grocery stores such as Pavilions or Kroger.
Marimix – Snack Mix
Snack mixes are typically one of the most processed junk foods around, with numerous preservatives, sugars, and carbs in every bite. Marimix flips the script by offering delicious sweet and savory snack mixes made from 100% natural ingredients. With sun-ripened Hatch green chiles, smoky-sweet Spanish paprika, and bright and fruity Korean gochugaru chile flakes, each morsel offers a unique flavor. Whether one craves the savory Smokehouse BBQ or the sweet Cinnamon Churro, these snack mixes give the joy of enjoying something crunchy without the guilt that comes after. Marimix can be purchased in specialty food stores, on Amazon, and on the Marimix website.
Wonder Juice – Cold-Pressed Juice
For years, juice has become so inundated with added sugars and preservatives that most health-conscious people avoid it as readily as soda. Cold-pressed juice, on the other hand, offers countless health benefits without the added sugar. One of the best cold-pressed juice brands on the market is Wonder Juice, a supplier of 100% organic juice with no added water or sugar. Enjoyed on its own or as part of a mocktail/cocktail, Wonder Juice offers a zap of nutrition and flavor in every bottle.
Wonder Juice offers three varieties: Wonder Beet, Wonder Melon, and Wonder Lemon. Each juice is served in a 100% recyclable glass bottle, preserving the flavor and the shelf life. “It’s good as a drink at the end of a busy day,” says Michele Abo, General Manager of Kayco Beyond, the parent company of Wonder Juice, Mighty Sesame, and Dorot Gardens. “You can have it as a mocktail, or even put alcohol in there and enjoy it as a lovely summer cocktail.”
Wonder Juice is widely available in supermarkets, natural and specialty stores, and will soon expand to micro-sites, including vending machines and convenience stores. Visit the Wonder Juice website and use the store locator to discover a store near you.
Three Wonder Juice flavors: Watermelon, Lemon Ginger, and Beet + Veggie
Mighty Sesame – Tahini
Condiments are a great way to add flavor to any snack, but they’re often loaded with sugar and calories that make them a less-than-ideal option. While ketchup, mustard, and mayonnaise are usually the stars of the show, tahini is quickly becoming a contender thanks to Mighty Sesame, the first company to offer tahini in a consumer-friendly squeeze bottle. Unlike classic tahini that’s prone to separation, all one has to do is shake the bottle once and out comes the creamy, rich sesame seed paste.
“We’re pushing away peanut butter and bringing in Mighty Sesame,” says Michele. “That’s because, nutritionally, it’s better for you. It tastes better, it’s nuttier, it has less sugar content than peanut butter. And you can turn it into any kind of sauce, topping, or dessert without needing dairy.”
Mighty Sesame Tahini is currently available in Organic, Whole Seed, and spicy Harissa flavors. All three flavors can be found in the nut butter aisles at grocery stores nationwide. Find the nearest store carrying Mighty Sesame by using the store locator on their website.
Dorot Gardens – Frozen Fresh Herbs
Snacking and cooking usually don’t go together, but some of the best snacks can be whipped up in the kitchen in minutes. Whether one’s making a spicy avocado spread from scratch or a garlicky hummus, the most time-consuming part of the process is dealing with the fresh herbs and garlic. Luckily, Dorot Gardens bypasses all of that with its flash-frozen, pre-portioned herb and garlic cubes. As the tagline says, simply pop it, and drop it, and it’s done.
“One cube of our ginger or any other is a teaspoon,” says Michele. “It’s individually portioned so you don’t use too much or too little. They’re flash-frozen to lock in the flavors and the nutrients, so you get the extended shelf life and don’t have to throw out your wilted herbs or garlic.”
Dorot Gardens offers garlic, ginger, basil, cilantro, sautéed and glazed onions, turmeric, parsley, and dill. Their frozen garlic and herb cubes can be found in the freezer section of most major grocery stores including Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s, and Walmart. Visit the Dorot Gardens website and use the store locator to discover a store near you.
General Manager Michele Abo and Celebrity Chef George Duran with Dorot Gardens frozen herb cubes
Snack The Right Way
These brands are taking the guilt out of snacking with delicious, convenient foods made from natural and organic ingredients. Whether one is craving a healthy version of their favorite treat or an entirely new flavor, there are plenty of ways to snack healthily without resorting to processed ingredients or bland, tasteless “health food.” Instead of settling for junk food, try adding some of these delectable products to the pantry.
