As the holiday season approaches, travel, parties and shopping can be overwhelming and send our healthy eating habits straight out the window. Though the most wonderful time of the year is the perfect time to splurge on an occasional treat, we found three healthy snacks that will help you maintain – not gain – between Halloween and New Year’s.
Blue Diamond Nut Thins: Since you never know when unexpected company will drop by during the holiday season, I always like to keep cheese and crackers on hand. If you have friends or loved ones who follow a gluten-free diet, Blue Diamond’s line of crunchy, baked snack crackers are entirely wheat and gluten-free. They remind me of traditional rice crackers, but with more flavor and a heavier texture.
Whole Foods 365 Organic Fruit, Nut & Chocolate Trail Mix: If you’re craving something sweet, a small handful of protein-rich trail mix spiked with chocolate chips, dried cherries and cranberries should do the trick for a mid-afternoon antioxidant boost. Some trail mixes can be high in calories, so it’s best to keep your portions small. Not to worry – this one is full of fiber, protein and healthy fat – a combination that will leave you sated and ready to tackle the holiday crowds at the mall or grocery store.
Newman’s Own Organic Pretzels: I’ve always thought pretzels were a great snack, but with some brands, you feel like you’re crunching on salted cardboard. Newman’s Organic Pretzels come in salted, unsalted and salt-and-pepper varieties and have more flavor than any pretzel I’ve tried. They’re made with yellow pea flower, which gives them more protein than the average pretzel, plus a rich, nutty flavor. A serving has approximately 110 calories, so they won’t even set you back.