For my new readers out there, now and again I share with you some of my recent food discoveries and healthy packaged snacks, teas, treats or whatever delights my taste buds.
These chewgoodstuff picks, of course must be healthy, and I usually list a few reasons why I am excited about a particular choice that has made it onto this list.
*Please note that this post does contain some affiliate links to the products I discuss. Should you purchase these items using a link I provide, I will be compensated a small sum for referring you. I only recommend products that I truly stand behind and use myself. I am not compensated from these companies to blog about these products.
Without further ado, here are my picks…
Siete Grain Free Tortilla Chips
These are dangerously delicious, and when I say dangerous be forewarned — you may have a difficult time moderating your intake of them. But with that being said, these are not your usual corn tortilla chips, so you mustn’t be as concerned about the impact on your health.
What makes these grain free and different than regular, corn tortilla chips?
They are made with cassava flour — a natural grain free and gluten free ingredient for those looking to abstain from traditional corn. Cassava, according to the packaging on this product “is a mineral rich root vegetable and a staple crop in many parts of the world, including Latin America, Africa, and Asia”.
But how do they taste?
They are lighter and a bit thinner than chips made from corn, but I enjoy them for that very reason — less guilt when you devour half a bag!
1 oz which is about 9 chips contains 140 calories
Besides being made with cassava, the other ingredients are squeaky clean: avocado oil is used which is a much healthier option than many chips which use canola, corn, or soy oils. Coconut flour, ground chia seed, sea salt, citric acid, and lime oil are also used (that is, in the LIME flavored ones) which are my personal favorite.
If you can’t tolerate corn or simply would like to cut back, branch out and try something new; I promise you’ll be glad you traded in the corn for these healthier options.
Buy here.
Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides
In the past, I’ve written about why I’m not a huge fan of protein powders but I may have changed my mind slightly on this topic/subject, but probably not entirely — I still have only been recently just incorporating the use of only this product and not other types of proteins on the market.
So why make an exception for this type of protein?
This product is providing more than just protein and that is why I can get on board with it.
Collagen peptides from Vital Proteins contains 9 grams of protein per serving which compared to other types of protein supplements is actually on the lesser end of the spectrum (some bodybuilding protein powders can range from 25-30 grams or even more).
Collagen is the heavy hitter here — the nutrient-rich naturally-occurring ingredient which is so much more than a muscle-building supplement. It is the most abundant protein in the human body and plays a role in supporting healthy skin, hair, tendons, cartilage, bones and joints.
I’ve decided to start incorporating this into my regimen because I do suffer from occasional skin issues (acne breakouts caused by intolerances to certain foods). I know that when I avoid these foods that my skin is far less likely to react, but when I cheat or accidentally eat my trigger foods there are certain supplements I take, and also foods that I try eat more of, to help speed up the skin healing. Though this is anecdotal, I do notice a small improvement in my skin when consuming this product more regularly. The scarring that may usually be left after an acne breakout seems to vanish slightly faster than usual.
For those looking to slow down some of the negative effects of aging such as wrinkles as well as bone and joint concerns, it is worth looking into supplementing with collagen.
While one could argue that this product is more of a processed supplement rather than a real food, I am ok with this because the ingredient list is just one ingredient — grass-fed, pasture-raised bovine hide collagen peptides. I’m not anti-supplement either by the way; I do believe they have benefits and can be more therapeutic to their food counterparts in some instances for certain illnesses and individuals.
Collagen tends to be lacking in many meals that we eat because unlike our ancestors we avoid consuming certain parts of animals. Though bone broth is on the rise again (due to the heightened awareness of its benefits), the reality is that most of us still are not consuming enough of it to acquire healthy doses of collagen.
If you are looking to boost your collagen intake and wouldn’t mind improving your hair, skin, nails, joint, bones, and digestive health I’d urge you to consider collagen peptides.
How do I use this product?
Answer: as you would any other protein powder.
Make a smoothie! I just enjoyed a smoothie made with a banana, a date (pit removed), a serving of collagen peptides, coconut water, coconut milk, and cinnamon.
This particular brand is also flavorless and odorless and can be mixed in cold or hot liquids. You could mix some into tea or coffee if you prefer to consume and reap the benefits that way.
Buy here.
Please note:
I am a nutrition educator/consultant and not a physician. As such, I do not diagnose or treat disease, rather I support lifestyle balance and health with my work. Please understand that any information provided on the relationship between nutrition and health is not meant to replace competent medical treatment for any health problem or condition.
If chewgoodstuff picks: Siete Grain Free Tortilla Chips, Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides was helpful, please share this post with a friend so that they too may learn something from reading it.
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Mike is a holistic nutritionist that helps people feel more optimistic about their health and wellness through changes in diet and lifestyle shifts.
He has authored posts and articles featured on MarthaStewart.com, today.com, and iVillage.com.