Time for another installment of chewgoodstuff picks where I’ll showcase some of my recent favorite packaged food discoveries. Of course fresh, whole foods that are unpackaged are the ideal food of choice, however these items that I feature are products that I view as appropriate to consume from time to time.
My criteria for selecting these items are as follows:
– Must be healthy (natural, organic or containing some organic ingredients, no artificial stuff, a short ingredient list, soy-free, gluten-free, not loaded with sugar)
– Must appeal to my taste buds (what’s the point otherwise?!)
– Must be an item that I think you’d appreciate and find value in discovering
Rhythm Superfood Beet Chips:
My first encounter with tasting beet chips was with the Trader Joe’s brand that they recently produced. Unfortunately after just one purchase upon returning to my home store, they were nowhere to be found. The employee told me they are currently out of stock…and still are to this day, 3-4 months later. But, no need to worry, because I have found a suitable alternative that taste just the same, in my opinion.
Looking for a crunchy, chip-like snack without all the extra sodium and poor-quality oils that usually come with most potato chips? These beet chips may be the perfect munchable item for you to have around the house when you’re in lounge mode, chillin’ and watching your favorite TV series (insert OITNB here) and looking for that guilt-free snack.
Ingredients = beets
Yep, that’s right…just one ingredient!
Another plus…they are dried, not fried.
Taste…sweet like a beet. If you like the way beets taste, you’ll enjoy these. Yes, they’re not going to be savory like potato chips if you opt for the “Naked” one (pictured above). They do, however come in other flavors which I have yet to try, including “Sea Salt” and “Cinnamon and Coconut Sugar”. The “Sea Salt” one would probably appeal to you if you’re craving more of a salty treat.
The “Naked” version would be a great healthy snack option for those looking to cut back on added sugars. Yes, there is naturally-occurring sugar from beets but none of the other processed sugars usually found in other packaged snacks.
Other benefits:
- 5 grams of dietary fiber per serving
- good source of potassium
- vegan
- gluten-free
Purchase here:
Rhythm Superfoods Gluten-Free Non-GMO Naked Beet Chips – Pack of 3, 1.4 Oz. Ea.
The Organic Pantry Co. Flaxseed Crackers:
Ever since eating mostly gluten-free I tend to shy away from crackers in general. Some of the gluten-free ones I have tasted in the past were just ok and not really worth it — I didn’t miss crackers that much. Recently I discovered these gluten-free, no-added sugar, vegan crackers which are seriously some of the best tasting healthy crackers I’ve ever tried.
What I like about them:
- No-Added Sugar: this is a big plus! Do you realize that sugar and other disguises of sugar are in EVERYTHING! Good luck finding packaged foods without some type of sweetener added. All of the 3 cracker flavor options they offer are made without sugar or any type of sweetener for that matter.
- Gluten-Free: feel free to indulge and not feel as guilty. In my opinion, if I’m going to cheat and eat gluten (which I do from time to time…I am human after all), I’d rather have a piece of really good pizza or a delicious sandwich with freshly baked bread. To waste my gluten consumption on a cracker just doesn’t seem worth it.
- Loaded with SUPERFOODS and other healthy ingredients. Check out all the awesome foods/herbs that they cram in these bad boys: turmeric, flaxseeds, rosemary, pumpkin seeds, fennel, cardamom
- Delicious with a perfect texture. They not only taste great but hold up well and are the perfect vessel for your favorite spread or dip. Check out this Instagram post: https://www.instagram.com/p/BIB5zJMj1Bu/?taken-by=chewgoodstuff
- 4 Different Offerings: Turmeric (my fave, though to be honest I haven’t tried them all yet), Mexican Chili, Rosemary (also enjoyed these), and Sunflower
Purchase here:
Numi Turmeric Tea — Three Roots:
I enjoy having a breadth of tea options in my cupboard, and I’d like to add this to my list of tea staples. By now you’ve probably heard about all of the amazing health attributes associated with turmeric. If not, read more here (#5 in this post I recently wrote): http://www.marthastewart.com/1503864/natural-remedies-joint-support.
So, turmeric is great and all, but for some it may not have the most appealing taste. Depending on how you use this spice and which foods you cook it with, you may find it to be too overbearing of a taste. Curry dishes would probably be your best bet if you are new to cooking with it. The reason for this is that curry spice blends also contain other spices (such as fenugreek and coriander to name a few) mixed with turmeric, so you are not just tasting the turmeric alone. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Curry_powder.
For this same reason, this Numi brand of turmeric in a tea bag form is tasty — it is blended with other herbs and plants offering up a synergistic blend of health-promoting goodness in every sip.
- Ginger — the cousin to turmeric, possesses many similar properties, most commonly used to soothe tummy distress and to manage inflammation
- Licorice — supports a healthy adrenal response (may not be appropriate for those with high blood pressure — always consult a health professional before using/drinking/eating)
- Rose — the petals are a good source of vitamin C
Due to the subtle sweet flavors of the rose and licorice, they balance out the earthy taste of the turmeric creating an aromatic blend of tea that can be enjoyed plain or with a bit of your favorite milk or milk alternative.
Purchase here:
Numi Organic Tea Three Roots, 3 Count
To see which other chewgoodstuff picks are in the archives, click links below. Also, in full transparency, I do receive a small affiliate commission from any of the Amazon links on this site if you decide to purchase using any of my links. I only recommend products which I truly believe in and use myself, and therefore post here on this blog so that you may be introduced to foods you may otherwise not have discovered on your own.
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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.
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.