What are the latest and greatest health-related products? How can I spice up my ho-hum workout? Are the new nutritious food products and health-focused restaurants worth my money? If you're asking any of these questions you've found the right spot!Note: While I'm a journalist with a Bachelor's degree in kinesiology and am a Certified Health Education Specialist, I don't replace the guidance/counseling that comes from a good chat with your doctor or dietitian. For more information, feel free to contact me at karlaswalsh@gmail.com!
Healthful Bites
Here’s a fact about me that I don’t believe that I’ve shared yet: Nearly everyday I have an afternoon snack. That’s right…snacking isn’t off limits in my world! I find that the time from breakfast to lunch is no big deal, but if I don’t have a bite between lunch and dinner, I’m usually quite ravenous by the time the third meal of the day rolls around.
As often as possible, I try to pack something from home (to save cash and pack in more nutrition), but some days that just doesn’t happen. When my day turns hectic and I can’t hop away from my computer to grab a snack at a nearby deli, I even hit up the vending machine. Say what? A wellness-focused blogger and health magazine employee eats treats out of the vending machine? I do have one go-to snack that I know is a relatively great choice: PopChips.*
These potato snacks have made a brief appearance on Healthful Bites some time ago. But let’s dig a little deeper today!
Chips are popped through heat and pressure and are “never baked, never fried.” Check out part of their creed:
“Our all-natural pledge: no fake colors, no fake flavors, no preservatives, no fluorescent orange fingertips, and no wiping your greasy chip hand on your jeans. No, really. We only use ingredients you can feel good about eating. And we leave out the bad stuff, like hydrogenated oils and msg, that give snacking a bad name.”
Love it! Especially since greasy fingers, lips, etc. from overly oily foods are one of my pet peeves. Currently, seven flavors are offered. The varieties in order of my preference:
Each serving of 19-22 chips (depending on the flavor) has 120 calories and, of course, no artery-clogging trans fats. And in case you’re interested, the original flavor are vegan! Most varieties are topped with the perfect amount of seasoning—not too salty as many chips can be. The salt & pepper version was a bit too powerful for me, and I’ve never been a fan of barbeque or salt & vinegar chips. But all other varieties get my thumbs up! :)
Plus, how can you not love a company that has a “snackers’ credo” that includes this fun nugget: “A snack can do without the fat content, but it can never do without the flavor content.”
I sure am glad my office stocks bags of the original PopChips in the vending machine! If you must vend, what is your pick?
*By the way, PopChips didn’t pay me to post this or anything—I’m just a fan. They have Ashton Kutcher on the payroll to be their “president of pop culture,” so they probably don’t need me! ;) Please let me know if there are any products you are loving that you think I should check out too. I’m always interested in the latest scoop and adore your input!
