Snacks Part I--MORE SALTY

Snacks Part I--MORE SALTY

So, here's the skinny on most packaged salty snacks:  They contain one or more of the 7 foods (or derivatives thereof) that the J.J. Virgin diet recommends you avoid--peanuts, corn, soy, eggs, dairy, sugar, or gluten.  Not convinced?  Okay, let's test it. Grab the package of your favorite snack. Read the INGREDIENTS list.  Most likely, hiding among what you think you are eating may be soy, soybean oil, peanut oil, maltodextrin, citric acid, corn, vegetable oil, dextrose, cheese, whey, lactose, artificial flavors, natural flavors (likely corn), monosodium glutamate, tamari, or a host of others. Sneaky, sneaky, right?

If you're like me, these are all ingredients that you largely overlook. Don't.  And don't take for granted that snacks touted as being "healthy" are any better off.  Read the label before grabbing that handful of chips.  It may literally astound you.

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Healthier snacking will require a paradigm shift. Even though you may eventually find a snack with a clean label, get used to the fact that, aside from a few packaged nuts, these are few and far between. 

All hope is not lost, however.  Many companies offer a variety of hummus flavors, which, when eaten sparingly, can effectively take the edge off of that occasional snack attack. Use it as a dip with raw veggies like broccoli, cauliflower, or celery.  There are also a few prepackaged guacamole and salsas which are as healthy as they are satisfying.  If you are really adventurous, try pickling your own green beans or olives in gluten-free vinegar and herbs. 

Personally, when I'm jonseing for something spicy and pickley, I find that these flavorful cucumber chips to be the perfect combination of tartness, crunch, and YUM! 

                                               Crunchy Cucumber Chips

Ingredients:

Makes about 6 servings

1 large organic cucumber 

1 teaspoon sea salt 

1 teaspoon basil flakes

1 teaspoon cilantro flakes

1 teaspoon oregano flakes

1/3 cup Coconut Secret Coconut Vinegar

Wash the cucumber.  Peel off the outer skin (optional).  Cut the cucumber into medium slices and put them into a large bowl.  Sprinkle the slices with sea salt and dried herbs.  Stir to distribute evenly.  Cover and refrigerate the cucumber chips for about 10 minutes.  Remove from refrigerator and add in vinegar.  Stir. Pour entire mixture into a zip top plastic bag.  Seal and refrigerate until ready to eat.

Disclaimer: I'm an amateur cook whose skills were learned from and honed by my mama, an amazing cook of old school southern fare. And because I'm no expert, recipes featured in my blog will NOT include caloric or nutritional information.