My trip to the grocery store this evening prompted me to write about the nearly impossible task of finding a healthy snack in the chips aisle. WHAT A BUNCH OF GARBAGE THERE! So now I have to rephrase that…my goal was really more like finding something not-too-terrible in the chips and salty snacks aisle.
(Here's a whole list of healthy snack ideas.)
Why was I there in the first place you ask?
Yes, I know that aisle at the grocery store (and most aisles in the middle section) are full of processed foods with nothing but empty calories. However, we were invited to go to a couple different friend's places over the upcoming holiday weekend, and when I asked what I could bring, one of the things they asked for in both cases was a bag of chips. (I'm also taking hot dogs for tomorrow – the Coleman all natural kind from Cosco or also see these healthy hotdogs, and a pasta salad made with rice pasta for Sunday…in case you were wondering.)
Are you reading ingredient labels yet?
If you are, then I'm sure you know exactly what I'm talking about. Most bags had trans fats or high fructose corn syrup, and some, are you sitting down?, had BOTH, like the pretzels of all things! Here's another one to remember – anything that has a cheesy flavor on it (or any flavoring similar to the stuff on Doritos), always has MSG. (Unless it's organic that is – I've had some good ones, but shhhh, don't tell anyone, it's still a processed food, organic or not.)
I loved the title on this picture I found at Flicker: “Friends do not let friends eat Doritos.” (Photo by Chaparral)
So what did I do? And what do I suggest you do in this situation?
I came home and made 10 batches of my popcorn.
It's much healthier with all that butter, coconut oil & sea salt, everyone loves it, and it costs less than the junky snacks, even using organic ingredients! It only took me about 45 minutes, and since it's so easy, in the meantime I put groceries away. (Which, by the way, mostly consists of non-food items this time of year. I get our produce at the farm market, and our meat, eggs & milk from the farm, so that doesn't leave much.)
I wish I could say I left without anything from that aisle
But I did get a couple bags of the least rotten salty snacks I could find in case someone didn't want popcorn, but trust me, they're still plenty rotten (especially the first one) and I should've left them there.
- I got one bag of “All Natural Cheetos” – I can't believe I'm admitting this. The ingredient label isn't AS scary as some in that aisle, but it's still not all sparkly (sunflower oil is not a great oil and the ingredients also listed something ending in an “ate” – which means it's a preservative), and it's even puffed. (I've read that anything puffed, similar to breakfast cereals that are extruded, are even more denatured than other processed foods.) But my kids love them, so I get them for a RARE treat. These were “only” $3.79 for an 8-ounce bag! I just decided I'm an idiot for buying those – a lot of money for NO nutrients – and I'm never buying them again. (Thanks for helping me work through that…)
- The other snack bag I got: Original Sun Chips in a blue bag (no flavoring, just salt), also for $3.79, but this bag was more generous, with a whopping 10 1/2 ounces. Besides the sunflower oil in these, the rest of this ingredient label actually isn't too bad. (Not only is it short, but I can also pronounce all the words and know what they are.)
- Update: I've also recently discovered Bugles. They're still somewhat nasty due to the non-organic corn (which means they're genetically modified and super-processed – scary), but at least they're made with coconut oil.
I'm not as bad when I'm not buying them
If I'm at a friend's house and they have snacks out, I don't worry so much about what they're made of – I'll usually show some restraint, and won't look at the ingredients in front of the host. I will even eat a few, and probably enjoy it, too. But when it's something I'm spending our money on and serving to others, I just have to look at the labels.
Final advice:
If you need an occasional bag of snacks, buy the Sun Chips in the blue bag, organic snacks, or instead just come home and make popcorn like I did. 🙂
Your turn!
Have you found any “good”, healthy snacks, either something you make yourself, or something you've found at the store?
- More healthy snack ideas!
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Kelly the Kitchen Kop says
Hi Anna,
First of all, I’m with you on the cleaning part for sure, I also hate it! I’d rather organize a closet than clean a room any day. A closet has a chance of staying organized, but the house never stays clean for long!
Your comments about hosting / attending parties was very interesting, and something I’d never thought about. To tell you the truth, though, I kind of like how it is, but only because when I entertain, I plain don’t have enough time these days to make every single item on the menu. So when a friend offers to bring something, I’m thankful to let them help. And when we go there, bringing one thing is a very simple thing to do, but yet it helps take one thing of the list for the host. Also, I grew up with it always being this way. We’d have big family dinners and everyone would bring a big batch of one thing, then no one person had TOO much work to get ready… except the host who still had to clean!
Kelly
Anna says
Good for you for making the popcorn! That’s a much better option than anything from the crunchy snack aisle. Gives me the willies just to walk down that aisle, as if the rancid omega-6s are going to jump out and cling to me or something :-).
Your post reminded me of something that has been on my mind for a while.
Why is it that nearly all invitations have turned into de facto pot luck events? I’m not opposed to potluck events (they are traditionally very spontaneous or larger, informal gatherings where no one is “host”, but that usually isn’t what people intend when they invite folks over. Yet, when accepting an invitation, it has become standard to not only offer to share part of the meal responsibility, but to practically insist on it, instead of saying “thanks, we’ve love to come” or ‘we look forward to it”. As hosts, isn’t providing the food part of “host duty” in most cases (yes, there are exceptions, but I mean the typical “invite friends over” for a dinner or cocktail party, luncheon, BBQ, etc.).
I know it’s polite to arrive with something for the hosts, but in the past people brought a bottle of wine, a box of candies, a flower arrangement, perhaps a small basket of fresh tomatoes or herbs from the garden, etc. ( that didn’t require the hostess to drop everything to attend to) – a token to express appreciation to the hosts for their hospitality, not the provide the evening’s beverages or the dessert for the gathering. Then, when the guests reciprocate by hosting an event, they provide the meal.
But that has changed quite a bit in the last 10-15 years (long before evites replaced phone calls, which had replaced snail mail written invitations). Few seem to understand or appreciate anymore that one can offer an invitation without expecting the guests to provide a portion of the meal. When I invite people, nearly every time I am asked not “would you like me to bring something?” but “what can I bring”, and even if I say “just excellent company” or something dorky like that, they still seem to think bringing a dinner course is required. I suppose that’s great for people who are reluctant cooks, but I like to cook and it’s a major reason for entertaining in the first place (it isn’t because I like to clean for company, though that’s a good excuse!). And for practical reasons, it’s really awkward sometimes when someone comes with something unexpected (not enough room in the fridge/oven, needs substantial further prep or equipment, creates just too much food, conflicts with hosts’ menu/recipe, disturbs prep or serving schedule, etc.).
What I hate to do is clean before entertaining (of course, I do it!). But how come no one ever offers to come over the day before or that morning to help vacuum and tidy the powder room or polish the silver/buff the crystal? I’m exaggerating, of course (and I don’t have enough silver to need polishing, save for a couple of relics from my husband’s family), but you get my drift?
What I have noticed even more of is hosts who will give assignments for what to provide, either in the invitation itself or when someone accepts an invitation. That’s not hospitality, that’s free catering, right?
Here’s an example of a recent evite wording I received from a good friend, sent to all the members of a parent/child group to which we all belong:
“A party without the kids – yeah! Just the elders (some elder than others) and no youngers! Please bring an appetizer or dessert (indicate which in your response) and the ******s will have delicious cocktails, sangria as well as mineral water for the new ***** (we want him to have a clear head). Can’t wait to see you all! “
BTW, this hostess is a great cook who has hosted many parties where she prepares a most of the foods, and who has many great, popular and easy-to-prepare (yet elegant!) appetizers and desserts in her repertoire. And I know from past events, after the party she will probably complain to me about how many guests bought awful packaged items instead of preparing foods like she does (and I’ll be thinking, “then you should have made your own stuff”).
I guess I’m probably really old-fashioned in my way of thinking about being a host and being a guest, and I do try to go with the flow, to a point. When it seems appropriate or needed, I gladly prepare something for a gathering, but rarely anything that I wouldn’t serve in my own home or hesitate to consume myself.
I haven’t really talked about this with too many people (I don’t need to add Miss Manners to my local reputation, do I?), though most people older than I (46yo) remember when the host/guest role was more defined than it is now. Perhaps it’s just me who is bugged by the self-catering and free-catering trend.
What do you think, Kelly?
Kelly the Kitchen Kop says
Ann Marie,
Not sure I could eat pork rinds myself, let alone be brave enough to bring them to a party! 🙂 (Wonder what Sally brings to parties…you don’t suppose she really brings pork rinds?!)
Shauna, I’ve been wanting to ask you about the Bosch, too – clue us in over on the “Favorite Kitchen Gadgets” post if you don’t mind!
Kelly
cheeseslave says
What a great post, thank you, Kelly!
Very entertaining — I laughed out loud.
I LOVE your popcorn solution. Fabulous!
The problem with Fritos — I’m pretty sure they use genetically modified corn.
And any vegetable oil is not good for frying with. Foods fried in vegetable oil cause cancer and heart disease. But other than that they’re OK. LOL!!
I love Shauna’s ideas. Apple cider and popcorn — yummy!
What is a BOSCH?
I am going to learn how to make potato chips fried in beef tallow. I’ll post the recipe when I do it.
Oh, and one last thing — Sally Fallon said the only healthy snack food in most convenience stores is pork rinds. I guess because they are just pure pig fat — they are not cooked in vegetable oil.
Of course, not everyone likes pork rinds. And if you brought them to a party, you might not be invited back! 😀
Kelly the Kitchen Kop says
Hi Holly,
Try popcorn popped in coconut oil (with butter & salt on top of course) – it's tastier than air-popped, and healthier, too! 🙂
You're so lucky to live by a Trader Joe's!
MidniteSiren,
Thanks for those snack sites – the Raw Revolution snacks look especially good, and here's the link to find which stores they're in: https://rawindulgence.com/storelocator.htm
Hi Margaret,
I love almonds, too! 🙂
margaret merkel says
My son and I have been eating Blue Diamond smokehouse almonds. Raw almonds are way better for you – more calcium. And I’m not sure that the oils(canola, safflower, sunflower)are great – or the smoke flavor? But they’re yummy, transfat free and they have lots of protein, potasssium, and vitamin E.
MidniteSiren says
My Daughter and I also love snack bars from “Be Kind” and “Raw Revolution”.
https://www.kindsnacks.com
Chunks of whole nuts, pieces of all-natural, sulfur-free dried fruits, and honey. (Because of all the children with allergies in her school, we keep this snack at home)
https://www.rawindulgence.com
Gluten Free, Vegan, Wheat, Corn, Soy, Trans-fat, Cholesterol and Refined Sugar Free.
Kelly the Kitchen Kop says
Sharon,
That one does sound good, and it reminded me of another good salty snack: Crispy nuts – the recipe is below in the “other healthy snacks” list. 🙂
Kelly
Sharon-Momn4boys says
I found a salty snack quite by accident. I was making homemade croutons/bread crumbs. My kids like eating them just like they are. I love having a bit of salty crunchy something with our sandwiches and these fit the bill. Kinda wierd but it works.
Craig says
Trader Joe’s is a good place to get snack food. We like their cereal bars, their Woven Wheat crackers, organic tortilla chips and salsa, and their cheese crackers, among others. Not health food, but no corn syrup, or partially hydrogenated oils. Although I’ll have to check the cheese crackers now for MSG.
Kashi also makes some good granola bars and crackers. We do like the original Sunchips, and also do air-popped popcorn with a drizzle of butter. Of course, I also try to encourage fruit.
Shauna, your popcorn, apples, and cider night sounds just like Farmer Boy from the Little House series! So cozy!
Holly
(signed in under hubby’s acct)
Kelly the Kitchen Kop says
Shauna, I never thought of freezing apple cider! (Hey, can you email me your phone number so I can call you tomorrow? My stupid emails aren’t going through to you.)
Bob, you’re right on, if you’re going to be naughty, at least doing so with chips listing only 3 ingredients is best.
Liz, I forgot about Fritos! I used to love them on top of chili, Mmmmm
Midnitesiren, thanks for the link! I’ll check it out.
Jokes1941, rice crackers are a good choice that I’d forgotten to mention above, because there’s no worry about eating unfermented / unsoaked grains. (A Weston A. Price recommendation for the best way to eat grains.)
Thanks everyone!
Kelly
Jokes1941 says
I was eating Kettles black pepper and salt potato chios but because of blood sugar spike ahd to quit , however rice crakers with hummus or brie cheese are no problem and of popcorn popped in VCO even with butter on top.
MidniteSiren says
My daughter and I love the chips from “food should taste good”
https://foodshouldtastegood.com/portfolio.asp
They
Liz says
Kelly… whenever we “must have” something from the wicked salty snack aisle, I typically buy Fritos. The ingredient list is corn, oil, and salt. I don’t know what kind of oil and I don’t really know if it’s a great choice, but that’s what I choose.
Bob A. says
I have to admit I’ve never met a bag of potato chips I didn’t want to devour! They’re like kryptonite to me. I’m liking the Meijer brand reduced fat kettle chips. Just potatoes, trans-fat free veggie oil, and some salt. If I feel like splurging, I LOVE the Kettle brand chips. They’re way expensive, but sooo good! Again, just spuds, a little oil, and a little salt. I know they’re not the healthiest things to be eating, but I try to moderate and indulge infrequently…Here’s a link to some “natural” chip reviews:
https://www.grist.org/advice/products/2008/08/26/index.html
If you ever get a chance to sample Kelly’s homemade popcorn (I call it coconut corn), do it! It is delicious….
Michigan Mom2three says
Getting rid of the “snack foods” (a.k.a. junk foods) was one of the last, and hardest things I did with my family. We were just so accustomed to having cheeze-its, store-bought granola bars, chips, etc around the house. They killed my budget (I felt like a rich woman when I quit buying them! $20-$25 a week translates to an extra $100 or so a month in cold hard cash that could then go toward affording the wonderful farm-raised organic meats that we love!)
What solution to our snack problem was 2 fold. First – I started feeding my kids nutrient-dense meals. Eggs and bacon and toast for breakfast held them much longer than a bowl of sugar-bomb cereal. Same with lunches. They didn’t come in asking for “snacks” all the time. Secondly, I simplified snacks to some basic whole foods. Cheese, whole fruit, a handful of nuts, chips and salsa (I find it’s easier to find a respectable bag of tortilla chips; I make all my salsa from my garden and can a year’s worth every summer -so no funny ingredients whatsoever!). I also took to baking a few things regularly: homemade granola bars (with healthy ingredients), homemade muffins, and I still make yummy chocolate-chip cookies once in awhile. I bake in giant batches thanks to my BOSCH, and freeze in small quantities, enough for a couple days worth, so when I pull them out, they’re always “fresh”, not sitting around on the counter getting stale.
We make homemade popcorn too. It’s a regular weekly treat. Sunday night is homemade popcorn, apples and homemade apple cider night! (We get our apple cider from a local farm, who makes it. We buy gallons and freeze them. What a treat in the middle of winter! A little taste of Fall!)
Shauna