Snacks Part I--SALTY

Snacks Part I--SALTY

In this blog post, I'm going to tackle the number one diet buster--snacks!  Let's start with the salty ones: chips, crackers, pretzels, and peanuts--no, no, no, and no. Now that we're clear about that, here are a couple of simple snacks that won't expand your waistline.  

• Keep lots of nuts on hand.  Almonds, cashews, macadamia nuts, pecans, Brazil nuts, and pistachios are all okay in moderation. Be sure to check the ingredients first, as many packaged nuts contain bad oils (vegetable, corn, canola, safflower, sunflower, soybean) or soy or corn derivatives that are counterproductive to the success of this diet. Labels, for example, should read "almonds", "almonds, sea salt", or "almonds, olive oil, sea salt".  You get the idea.

• Back To Nature brand offers great almonds, cashews, and a cashew, almond, and pistachio combo in unroasted/unsalted, roasted only, or roasted/salted options.

• Tillen Farms has a product line that will fit in nicely with your J.J.Virgin regimen:  Crispy Asparagus, Crispy White Asparagus, Crispy Dilly Beans, Hot & Spicy Dilly Beans, and Hot & Spicy Crispy Snap Peas. 

• Hummus is a creamy paste made from ground chickpeas, olive oil, garlic and a variety of other yummy flavors (I've even found sweet potato hummus).  Serve cold by itself, or as a spread or dip for veggies. Just remember to watch out for those sneaky ingredients that can make hummus unhealthy (see my next blog) 

• Rice cakes and rice crackers are always winning snacks.  Edward & Sons makes Onion Garlic Brown Rice Snaps that are crispy and quite tasty with hummus.

*   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *    *   *    *    *   

With the Superbowl coming up, multiply this scrumptious Mexican-style recipe to give your party guests a healthy snack that is as flavorful and fun as any other--yum!

Effortless Hummus Guac & Salsa Snaps

Ingredients:

Makes 1 serving

4  Edward & Sons Onion Garlic Brown Rice Snaps

Flavored hummus

Guacamole

Trader Joe's Spicy, Smoky, Peach Salsa or plain salsa

Place brown rice crackers on a plate.  Layer dollops of hummus, guacamole, and salsa on each cracker.