I don’t typically divulge many details about my personal life, but I will share this tidbit with you today: I love food and I love to snack.
I know I’m luckier than most, being constantly surrounded by healthy foods. Because of that, fast foods and vending machine snacks just don’t seem nearly as convenient.
At home, my wife and I keep the fridge and pantry stocked with good-for-you ingredients. At the office, there’s no shortage of fresh fruits, vegetables, raw nuts and other nutritious snacks to keep me going throughout the day. If I’m exceptionally lucky, someone will bring in a healthy, homemade creation ““ like cookies baked with quinoa. (I was skeptical, but they were actually good.)
If your home or office life is lacking in healthy fare, take note of these five healthy staples. Having them on hand might help you resist the temptation to resort to food that doesn’t nourish and fuel your body.
Peanut Butter: Whether you’re spreading it on toast or celery sticks, Vitacost Whole Food Certified Organic Peanut Butter makes the perfect snack. You won’t even notice the lack of added salt (I didn’t.) If you’re watching your calories, go with Vitacost PBSlim, a powdered, oil-less variety with 90% fewer fat calories than traditional peanut butter.
Raw Almonds: When 3 o’clock rolls around and I’m about to run to another hour-long meeting, a handful of Vitacost Organic Raw Almonds is my go-to snack. Why? Because they taste fresh and they keep me feeling satisfied, which is no small feat.
Quinoa: No matter what you’re having for dinner, believe me when I tell you that it’s always better beside a side of satisfyingly fluffy Vitacost Organic Quinoa. If you don’t like the taste of this gluten-free grain, try red quinoa ““ it’s milder and pairs well with any seasoning.
Raw Honey: A few years ago, I’ll admit that this wouldn’t have been on my list. That’s because I’ve only recently discovered the versatility of Vitacost Raw & Unfiltered Honey ““ and it’s non-GMO. It’s a deliciously sweet topping for sliced fruit or toast, plus my wife claims it’s a perfect substitute for sugar in herbal tea.
Coconut Oil: You probably already have a jar of Vitacost Coconut Oil in your pantry. But if you’re new to this tropical substance, there are a few things you should know: it’s one of the healthiest oils you can cook with, it’s full of healthy fats, and though I don’t bake, I’m told it’s the best substitute for butter and other oils.
Not a fan of my five favorites? We’ve been working hard to expand our Vitacost-brand offering of healthy foods and beverages, so I’m confident you’ll find something that suits your taste buds and satisfies your cravings.
So far, we’ve managed to bring you everything from organic maple syrup and 100% Arabica coffee to pure juice extracts and dried mango slices. But our passion for providing you with the very best (and yes, our passion for food, too) is pushing us to do more.
Check back often to see what we’ve added to the mix ““ I promise you’ll find plenty of gluten-free, non-GMO, organic and just plain healthy options for you and your family.
Now if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got some snacking to do.