8 Super Snacks to Try This Year

By , SparkPeople Blogger
If you've been struggling with the "no eating between meals" rule, you're in luck: in recent years, that diet myth has been debunked. Snacks are important, especially when are active or trying to lose weight. Go too long without eating, and your blood sugar will drop. Your stomach will rumble. You'll get grouchy--and you'll turn into the cookie monster (or the chip monster or the "will eat the first thing I find" monster).
However, it's easy to fall into a snack rut. If you're tired of eating the same old snacks, you'll love today's "Stuff We Love" list: I'm sharing some new-to-you foods you might want to swap into your snack rotation this year.

I keep snacks in my purse and car at all times to ward off hunger-induced grouchiness and overeating. Believe me: I'm a mild-mannered yogini and health food lover when I'm fed regularly, but when I am starving, watch out! I get cranky and will eat anything in sight!  

Mary's Gone Crackers
When I crave crunch, which is quite often, these Mary's Gone Crackers are the perfect snack! I love them on their own (especially the caraway, onion and herb varieties). They're delightful with hummus, salsa, or guacamole. Mary’s Gone Crackers are organic, kosher and gluten-free and contain no trans-fats, dairy, eggs, or nuts.
I lived in Korea for a year and grew to love crunching on packets of toasted seaweed. Packed with minerals and fairly low in calories, these pint-size packs of nori (the seaweed used in sushi rolls) are a fun snack. Eat them on their own, pair with brown rice, or sprinkle on salad. 
 
Ghirardelli Intense Dark Premium Dark Chocolate Assortment
Chocolate does have a place in a healthy eating plan, thank goodness! Reach for dark chocolate, which has more health benefits, and keep your portions in check with single-serving squares. Each square has just 55 calories, and this assortment pack lets you try a few flavors without having to open a whole bar (which can have hundreds of calories)!
 
Lundberg Cinnamon Toast Rice Cakes
Rice cakes have come a long way, thank goodness! I remember smearing plain ones with jam when I was on my first diet. They were dry, flavorless, and not fun to eat. I recently found the Lundberg line of rice cakes, which are made with brown rice and come in fun flavors. I love the cinnamon toast, the honey nut, and the tamari with seaweed flavors. Eat them alone or spread with nut butter, hummus, or jam, depending on your flavor preference.

Mediterranean Snacks Baked Lentil Chips
Forget sweets! When I have a choice, I want crunchy, salty foods like chips. I try to reach for chips that are either baked, to cut fat, or contain whole grains or other nutritious ingredients. These lentil chips are awesome--you get a huge serving for 70% less fat than potato chips. And, since they're made from lentils, they have more protein, too. They're great with any of these 13 Slimmed Down Dips or on their own.
Ginger is beneficial for digestion and it tastes great, too. These chewy candies are strong in flavor so you likely will be satisfied with just one, and they can assist with heartburn or indigestion, too. I'm currently battling a cold, and these spicy little candies have helped me control my coughing and clear my nose!
NuGo Dark Chocolate Pretzel
Sweet and salty is a match made in heaven. This soy protein-based bar is often in my purse to quell major attacks of hunger. Coated in chocolate and sprinkled with sea salt, with bits of pretzel inside, it's a protein-packed treat for sure! My boyfriend loves NuGo's peanut butter chocolate bars, too.
Sahale Snacks Nut Blends
Nuts are a calorie-dense food, but they're packed with health benefits, too. Eating nuts in reasonable portions could even assist with weight loss! I love plain nuts and reach for them often, but these Sahale blends of nuts, dried fruit and fun flavors are a nice change. Try them chopped up on salads, oatmeal, or roasted veggies. My favorite flavors: Maple Pecans and Pomegranate Pistachios. (Disclosure: Sahale sent us samples recently.)
 
What is your favorite snack? Which of these would you like to try?