Saturday, January 11, 2020

The Most Interesting Healthy Snacks on the Market

Kale chips are great, but we’re charting the rise of some more interesting healthy snack options on the market, from mushroom jerky to waterlily pops and sprouted watermelon seeds.

Who doesn’t love snacking? It’s definitely not just for kids. On-the-go adults need sustenance that will keep us satiated and fueled (and sometimes just give us a little break from the daily grind). And kids do still need the same. Luckily for us all, historically popular snack options like greasy, fried potato chips and artificial-cheese-laden concoctions now have some healthy competition.

Literally—today’s snack market is full of healthier options and dietary restriction-friendly choices, often made of interesting ingredients, like vegetables, healthy grains, beans, and even lean meats. They come in a variety of forms, textures, and flavors. So we’ve rounded up some of our favorite healthy and interesting snacks that will keep you full without the guilt.

Portabella Mushroom Jerky by SHROOMS, $6.99 on Amazon

Amazon

Mushrooms are full of healing properties, high in antioxidants, and chock-full of vitamins and minerals; studies suggest they can help fight cancer, boost weight loss, and increase heart health. If you love this superfood, you’re in luck as you can now have mushroom snacks on the go. This Portabella Mushroom Jerky is mellow but salty and full of umami, a great fix for vegetarians craving savory jerky. Flavors include Roasted Teriyaki and Honey Chipotle. Opinions are mixed, but it’s definitely worth a try. And if mushroom jerky isn’t your thing, SHROOMS makes chip-like mushroom crisps and mushroom-based snack bars with chocolate too.Buy Now

Butternut Squash Pretzel Sticks by From the Ground Up, 6 bags for $22.50 on Amazon

butternut squash pretzels

Amazon

While pretzels often seem like a healthy snack, they can leave you feeling fatigued and bloated due to gluten and excess sodium. But thanks to a new product on the market, you can have your pretzels AND your vegetables: these gluten-free pretzels are made with cassava and butternut squash as well as cauliflower, spinach, broccoli, and turmeric. With 40 pretzel sticks as one serving, you will feel satisfied and virtuous munching on these healthy vegan snacks. Buy Now

Veggie Crisps by Off the Eaten Path, $2.98 on Amazon

Amazon

If you like rice and beans and vegetables, then you will love this snack. These veggie crisps are composed of real vegetables like green and yellow peas, and rice with black beans. Boasting only six ingredients, with no artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives, these crispy snacks have 3 grams of fiber and 3 grams of protein, which will help keep you full and satisfied. They taste great as is or dipped in hummus.Buy Now

Sprouted Watermelon Seeds by Go Raw, 2 bags for $25.04 on Amazon

Amazon

Watermelon seeds no longer need to be spit out! Did you know that watermelon seeds are actually packed full of minerals and antioxidants? These sprouted seeds are simply sprinkled with sea salt, are organic, and have 11 grams of plant-based protein. They’ll delight vegan, paleo, and gluten-free eaters. They also make a nice addition sprinkled over salads or added to homemade trail mix. Buy Now

Water Lily Pops by Taali, 4 bags for $18.99 on Amazon

Amazon

Water lilies may remind you of an Impressionistic Monet painting, but water lilies are actually edible too. Hailing from India, water lily seeds have been a part of Ayurvedic practices and used in Asian medicine for centuries. These puffy snacks are made from the water lily seed, which is dried, popped, roasted, and seasoned with toppings such as Tangy Turmeric, Tikka Masala, and Sriracha Spice. These snacks have less fat and fewer calories than popcorn, boast 6 grams of protein, and are vegan, and non-GMO.  Buy Now

Mixed Berry and Apple Cinnamon Yogurt Crisps by IMAG!NE, 4 bag assortment for $13.98 on Amazon

Amazon

Eat your yogurt on the go without a refrigerator with these yummy yogurt crisps. Made with real yogurt and fruit without any artificial flavors or colors, this sweet, cracker-like snack has 8 grams of whole grains, 4 grams of protein, and a healthy dose of bone-strengthening calcium. Great for adults and kids alike! Buy Now

FLEX Protein Crisps by PopCorners, 12 bags for $32.79 on Amazon

Amazon

With a whopping 10 grams of plant-based protein, only 90 calories per serving, and 4 grams of fiber, these crisps meet a health-conscious person’s mark. They are gluten-free and vegan, and come in Barbecue and Buffalo flavors. These crisps are are made from non-GMO corn and are delicious straight from the bag or used as a vessel for your favorite creamy dip. Buy Now

Egg White Curls by Lesser Evil, 6 bags for $23.99 from Lesser Evil

Lesser Evil

If you’re a fan of the “incredible edible egg,” then you may love these grain-free egg white curls. With this addictive, crunchy snack, there is no more need to keep messy hard-boiled eggs with you for a protein fix while you’re out and about. These curls are made of cassava flour, healthy avocado oil, and American Humane-certified egg whites, and are simply flavored with Himalayan pink sea salt. They are paleo and gluten-free, and have 6 grams of protein to keep you fueled. Buy Now

Chicken Chips by Wilde, 4 bags for $24.99 on Amazon

Amazon

For those carnivores out there, meet your new favorite savory snack where chicken meets chip. Skip the nightshade potatoes and swap in real, all-natural chicken. While these chips are fried in coconut oil, they have 7 grams of filling protein, and are completely grain-free. Flavors include Nashville Hot and Chicken and Waffles. We also like Flock brand chicken chips. Buy Now

Venison Sea Salt Pepper Bar by EPIC, 12 pack for $22.78 on Amazon

Epic venison bars meat snack

Amazon

Continuing on the carnivore path, meat-eaters may enjoy a salty and peppery venison bar as a change of pace from jerky. The meat is 100 percent grass-fed and free-range. Each bar has 3 grams of fat, 12 grams of protein, and only 2 grams of carbohydrates. Other flavors include Wild Boar Bacon Bar and Lamb Currant Mint Bar (fancy!). Buy Now

Yogurt & Hummus with Pretzels Snack Pack by Stonyfield Organic, available at some local Whole Foods

Stonyfield Organics yogurt hummus snack packs

Stonyfield Organics

If you love hummus and yogurt, then you may like the combination of the two together; they form a healthy, creamy dipping sauce, perfect for salty pretzels. This low-fat, organic snack pack has 5 live active yogurt cultures, which helps promote healthy gut bacteria. Flavors include Roasted Red Pepper and Garlic (as well as a plain flavor that comes with multigrain tortilla chips). Great for on-the-go travel snacking for kids and adults alike! Keep an eye out for this snack option at your local Whole Foods, or failing that, mix up your own and pack it for lunch.Buy Now



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Week 2 Healthy Meal Plan

Usher in week 2 of the January Challenge with these 5 days of healthy family dinner ideas! From Black Rice Grain Bowls to Spicy Turkey Burgers, everyone in the family will find something to love here!

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Mediterranean Mezze Platter

A mezze platter is an easy, fun, and family-friendly dinner! Use the ingredients listed as a starting point, with room to swap in other dips, vegetables, or fruits depending on what’s in season and what you have on hand.

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Easy Muhammara

Muhammara is the dip that's been missing from your life! This slightly-spicy spread is made with roasted red peppers, walnuts, and a touch of pomegranate molasses. It's great spread on a sandwich or served as a dip for veggies!

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A Bite-Sized Stop in Vancouver, BC

Planning a stop in Vancouver, BC? Here’s where to eat, drink, and stay, and what to see and do.

Vancouver is one of those rare cities where you can visit the mountains, the beach, and the urban core all in one day. Thumb through any travel guide and you’ll find many of the same suggestions. Explore Stanley Park and visit the Vancouver Aquarium. Walk across the Capilano Suspension Bridge. Hike the Grouse Grind. Relax on Kitsilano Beach. Walk the Seawall. While these are all great options (nothing beats a walk along Stanley Park’s sea wall), what many fail to mention is just how good a food city Vancouver is.

Growing up in nearby Victoria, BC, a large part of my family was (and still is) in Vancouver. I’ve spent my entire life with one foot on “the rock” (Vancouver Island) and another on the mainland (Vancouver proper). From dim sum get togethers with my extended family to the epic all-you-can-eat sushi adventures of my teens and twenties, so many of my early food memories are tied to Vancouver.

Related Reading: A Bite-Sized Stop in Reykjavik, Iceland

Easy access to fresh seafood paired with a diverse population (48.9 percent of Vancouver’s population are of non-European descent, with 19 percent being of Chinese descent and 12 percent of South Asian descent), Vancouver’s food scene blends a variety of different influences with locally sourced ingredients.

If you have a few days in Vancouver, British Columbia and plan on seeing, doing, and eating as many amazing things as possible, here are a few not-to-be-missed places to check out.

Where to Eat and Drink

Guu Izakaya


No trip to Vancouver is complete without a meal (or three) at Guu Izakaya. Known as the first Izakaya (Japanese tapas) spot in Vancouver, Guu has since become a local institution with multiple locations across the city that each have their own unique menus. Expect to see expertly prepared dishes like Takoyaki (deep fried octopus balls with tonkatsu sauce), Karaage (fried chicken), and Mushroom Cheese Bibimbap (mushroom, cheese, rice, green onion, “nori” seaweed sauce in a hot stone bowl). Note: If they’re serving Tuna Tataki (lightly seared tuna with garlic chips, green onions, and ponzu sauce), order it—it’s the best I’ve ever had.

Chinatown


Vancouver’s historic Chinatown is where old meets new. Sure bets include Chinatown BBQ, an old school spot known for its traditional Chinese BBQ and award-winning Beef Brisket Curry, and Phnom Penh, where people line up for their Vietnamese-Cambodian take on chicken wings and butter beef (melt in your mouth beef carpaccio that’s dressed with tangy soy sauce, fried garlic, and fresh herbs). There’s also Bao Bei, a modern Chinese brasserie that serves shareable plates and cocktails in a whimsical setting (try the dumplings). Looking for a night cap? Head down the street to Keefer Bar. Named one of Canada’s best bars, this dark and swanky spot features an incredible whiskey selection and inspired cocktails.

Wildebeest


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Start the week right, go to the bone zone on a Monday night.

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While the cobblestone streets of Gastown are chock-full of acclaimed restaurants, Wildebeest is my favorite. Executive chef, Ian McHale, has created a phenomenal farm to table menu with a selection of carefully crafted cocktails. Hailed as “food for food lovers” the menu changes seasonally and consistently features locally sourced dishes like Wagyu Ragu Orecchiette (Subtilia Ranch wagyu, foraged mushrooms, basil, preserved heirloom Okanagan tomatoes) and Lois Lake Steelhead Salmon (Jerusalem artichoke, radish, sea coriander, sauce Américaine).

Miku


Vancouver has no shortage of good sushi places (in fact, if you’ve walked a block and haven’t stumbled across at least one sushi restaurant, something is very wrong), but Miku is a cut above most. The upscale Japanese restaurant specializes in Aburi style sushi where the fish is partially grilled (topside) and partially raw. Come for the Salmon Oshi Sushi (Pacific sockeye salmon, jalapeno, and Miku sauce) and Miso Baked Sablefish (arare tiger prawn dumpling, sansai quinoa, pickled zucchini, yam crisps, yuzu-miso reduction), but stay for the stunning waterfront view.

What to Do 

Explore Richmond’s Dumpling Trail 


Richmond—a city suburb easily accessible by SkyTrain—is home to some of the best Chinese food outside of China. More recently, the area has been gaining recognition for its Dumpling Trail—a collection of 20+ restaurants serving up some of the most delectable dumplings this side of the Pacific. Follow this DIY Dumpling Trail itinerary  or book a Dumpling Trail Tour.

Visit Granville Island


Located under the south end of the Granville Street Bridge, Granville Island is a must-visit for food nerds. It’s home to the Granville Island Public Market, an indoor market where you’ll find fresh seafood, meats, specialty foods, restaurants, and unique gifts. Grab a coffee and some nosh, wander the stalls, and enjoy Granville Island’s stunning view of downtown Vancouver.

Taste of Vancouver on Granville Island, from $71 p/p on Airbnb

Enjoy over 25 food samples (and a drink!) on this expertly curated tour.
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Take a Vancouver Foodie Tour


If you’re working with a compressed timeframe or you just want to experience as much of the Vancouver food scene as possible, consider booking Vancouver Foodie Tours. Even as a semi-local, I really enjoyed the Best of Downtown Tour which showcased high-end seafood, authentic Chinese dim sum, and more—all paired with BC wines. They also offer a tour of Gastronomic Gastown and the Granville Island Market Tour (if you’d prefer a guided experience).

Related Reading: The Best International Cookbooks for World Travelers

Try a Japadog


It doesn’t get more Vancouver than Japadog, a Japanese hot dog stand turned restaurant chain dedicated to “making the world alive and happy with hot dogs.” Juicy hotdogs are topped with fixings like teriyaki sauce, terimayo, seaweed, kimchi, and kurogoma (black sesame)—with delicious results. My favorite is the Okonomi: a Kurobuta pork sausage topped with bonito flakes.

Where to Shop 

South Main Street


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Cheerville is here ✨ our holiday pop-up features all things colourful, cozy and fun! Come visit us at 3740 Main Street.

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While tourists and locals shop around Granville and Robson, folks in search of hip boutiques and eateries head to South Main Street between Broadway and King Edward. Along this strip there’s Front & Company, a one stop-shop boutique where you’ll find high-end consignment and vintage finds interspersed with affordable trendy items, and Vancouver Special, a design-centric retailer carrying a colorful selection of contemporary furniture, home goods, and swoon-worthy art books.


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When brother and sister duo Amelie and Vincent Nguyen opened @anhandchi in 2016, we expected the Main Street restaurant to become a favourite. And we were not wrong! ⠀ ⠀ You get a bit of everything with the Bún Thịt Nướng Chả Giò Tôm, pictured here in a shot from @dinewithadri. Your choice of meat, plus spring rolls, prawns, and a whole lotta fish sauce!⠀ ⠀ Pro tip: Anh and Chi is open throughout the holiday season but closed for Christmas Day!⠀ .⠀ #EATtheMAP⠀ .⠀ .⠀⠀ .⠀⠀ .⠀⠀ .⠀⠀ #vancouverfoodie #vancityeats #604eats #foodielife #yvreats #eatcouver #vancityeats #veryvancouver #exploreBC #explorecanada #curiocityvan #dishedvan #vancity #yvr #foodcouver #foodculture #eatlocal #eeeeeats #instafood #foodpost

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While you’re in the area, grab lunch at Ahn and Chi, an award-winning Vietnamese restaurant that’s as delicious as it is stylish. I recommend trying the Tossed Noodles (grilled pork, prawn, quail egg, and chicken crackling bits with glass noodles drizzled with a sweet soy sauce) or the DIY Street-Side Platter which includes a mix of herbs, pickles, rice vermicelli, rice paper, house-made pork sausage, beef in betel leaf, grilled chicken, grilled prawn, and crispy pork spring rolls—all ready for you to wrap, roll, and enjoy with a group of friends.

South Granville


This tony neighborhood is populated with designer boutiques and well known brands like Max Mara, James Perse, and Anthropologie. Skip the familiar names and head straight to the designer consignment stores. The largest one is Turnabout, which draws fashionistas looking to swap out their wardrobes. At Turnabout, one person’s fashion rejects are another person’s treasure. Bargain hunters should head to the lower level of the store where they’ll find older stock deeply discounted (an affordable Marc Jacobs handbag, anyone?).

Japanese Dollar Stores


You haven’t had a truly local experience until you’ve shopped at one of the many Japanese dollar stores in Vancouver. Places like Daiso, Oomomo, and (the slightly more fancy but still very cheap) Miniso, are perfect for stocking up on super affordable home goods, sheet masks, Japanese items (including snacks!), and all things kitchen related. There’s also plenty of kawaii items to go around.

Commercial Drive


If Main Street is Vancouver’s hipster paradise, “The Drive” is its eccentric, free-spirited cousin. The hub of the Italian community, you’ll find old school Italian cafes and delis alongside Latin American restaurants, hip eateries, vintage shops, and record stores. Check out Mintage for affordable vintage finds and La Grotta Del Formaggio for an amazing selection of Mediterranean staples and gourmet products (it’s nearly impossible to leave empty handed). If you work up an appetite stop at Rinconcito Salvadoreno, a Salvadorean restaurant known for their pupusas (thick corn patties stuffed with melted cheese, beans, and/or meat).

Where to Stay

The Burrard


If you’re a fan of mid-century modern design, you’ll fall in love with the Burrard Hotel, a playful boutique hotel located in the downtown core. Described as “Melrose Place without the murder,” the Burrard’s palm tree filled coutyard (with fire pits and outdoor lounging areas in the winter) looks more like it belongs in Palms Springs than the Pacific Northwest. In the lobby there’s Elysian Coffee and Burgoo—two Vancouver staples.

Hotel Belmont


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Make yourself at home.

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For folks who want to be in the center of the party, book a room at Hotel Belmont in the heart of the entertainment district. Newly renovated, Hotel Belmont looks like it was made for Instagram. Expect to find stylish rooms with quirky art, a retro-inspired lounge with flamingo pink bar stools, and plenty of ironic neon signs.

Related Reading: How to Make Great Coffee When Traveling

Fairmont Hotel Vancouver 


Known as “The Castle in the City,” this iconic hotel epitomizes classic elegance. Holding a prime location downtown, its within short walking distance to shopping, attractions, and gorgeous coastal views. To celebrate its 80th anniversary, Hotel Vancouver recently underwent a 75 million dollar renovation that pays homage to the hotel’s rich history. Enjoy a pre-dinner cocktail at Notch8, the hotel’s glam lobby bar before hitting the town.

Vancouver Lodging, Various Prices on Airbnb

Choose from a variety of accommodations throughout the city suitable for any budget.
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