WebMD Feature from "Shape" Magazine

By Karen Cicero

YOU CAN’T POSSIBLY TRY ALL THE SNACKS THAT HAVE COME OUT IN THE LAST YEAR�?which is why we put Shape staffers on the case. Over the past few months, we munched our way through more than 200 products to find our 25 favorites, most of them sold in supermarkets. To make things even easier for you, we categorized them by the craving they satisfy—sweet, savory, creamy, crunchy, or salty�?because if a snack doesn’t deliver in the gratification department, nothing else matters. You don’t need to worry about getting too much sodium or unhealthy fat: Our nutritional standards, listed below, were rigorous. After all, when an urge strikes, you don’t want to have to stop and read the label.

 

WHAT MAKES A SNACK SHAPE-WORTHY?

To qualify as a best snack, a product had to meet these five nutritional criteria:

• Have 200 calories or less. We made an exception for two snacks (the smoothie and the chicken salad kit) that could be considered mini-meals.
• Contain 0 grams of artery-clogging trans fat per serving and be low in saturated fat.
• Offer at least some whole grains if it was a high carb snack like cereal or a granola bar.
• Contain no more than 400 milligrams of sodium (unless it was a mini-meal).
• Provide nutritional extras. We gave an edge to products that came in calorie-controlled portions, contained little added sugar, or had extra vitamins or minerals and/or a serving or more of produce.

 

SWEET

Pepperidge Farm Chocolate Chunk Dark Chocolate 100 Calorie Cookie Pouches
(100 CALORIES, 3.5 G FAT PER POUCH)
Why are these smart cookies?
The portion is satisfying—there are 12 mini-cookies in each bag�?and the rich, dark chocolate chunks are to die for. “Their texture is terrific too,�?says one staffer. “They’re not too soft or too hard.�?($3 for a box of 5)

Back to Nature Banana Walnut Bakery Squares
(130 CALORIES, 5 G FAT PER SQUARE)
These bars have the same flavor as banana-nut bread, but since they’re packed with organic whole grains and healthy oils, you end up with more fiber and less saturated fat. “I’d stash a package in my bag instead of picking up a muffin at the coffee shop,�?says one taster. Plus, they’re individually wrapped for convenience and portion control. ($3 for a box of 5)

Wheat Thins Lightly Cinnamon
(140 CALORIES, 5 G FAT FOR 15 CRACKERS)
Frost these whole-grain crackers with a smidgen of lowfat cream cheese and you’ll come close to the flavor of a mall cinnamon bun for about 500 fewer calories. Tasters say they’re delicious straight from the box too. ($3 for a 9.5-oz. package)

Figamajigs
(150 CALORIES, 4 G FAT PER BAG)
Dark chocolate–covered fig bits satisfy a candy craving while keeping you in your skinny jeans. They’re rich in disease-fighting antioxidants too. Each bag contains about 25 pieces. Says one staffer: “This is the ideal treat to bring to the movies so you can avoid the highcal, oversize concession popcorn and candy.�?($22 for a box of 15 bags;figamajigs.com)

Mott’s Healthy Harvest Blueberry Delight
(50 CALORIES, 0 G FAT PER CONTAINER)
This no-sugar-added applesauce doesn’t contain artificial sweeteners; instead, cancerfighting blueberries add flavor and a grown-up element. Each 4-ounce portion comes in a plastic container with an easy-to-peel lid, making it one taster’s “perfect take-to-the-office snack.�?($2 for a pack of 6)

SAVORY

Alexia ChickenNuggets WithSpinach & FetaCheese
(200 CALORIES, 12 GFAT FOR 6 NUGGETS)
These baked all natural nuggets are a more sophisticated version of the childhood favorite. “They’re yummy and cheesy—and perfect during a football game,�?says one taster. ($4 for a 7-oz. box)

South Beach Diet Cranberry Walnut Chicken Salad Kit
(290 CALORIES, 13 G FAT PER PACKAGE)
Stash this in the office fridge for a day you know you’ll be working late and needing a substantial snack. “It was so easy, I made it at my desk,�?says one staffer. “The dried fruit and nuts added great flavor.�?($4 for a 6-oz. box)

Hungry Sultan Hummus Snack Pack
(70 CALORIES, 3 G FAT PER PACKAGE)
Scrumptious bean spread, water crackers, and a plastic spoon are bundled together so you can enjoy this snack away from home. Tasters called the hummus “some of the best I’ve ever had.�?($3 for a 3-oz. package; in convenience stores)

Health Is Wealth Spinach & Artichoke Party Dip
(120 CALORIES, 6 G FAT PER 1�? CUP)
This cheesy microwaveable dip doubles as an appetizer for a crowd or a healthy late-night snack just for you. Enjoy half the package with whole-grain crackers, then store the rest in the fridge, where it will keep for a few days. ($4 for a 9-oz. container)

Special K Honey Nut Bar
(90 CALORIES, 2 G FAT PER BAR)
Despite the tinge of honey, this bar doesn’t taste too sweet; chopped peanuts and almonds give it a nutty flavor. Says one taster: “It’s a nice change of pace from snacking on plain nuts.�?($2 for a box of 6)

CREAMY

Sunland Banana Peanut Butter Spread
(180 CALORIES, 13 G FAT FOR 2 TBSP.)
Skip the high-sugar jelly—this vitamin E–packed spread gets its sweetness from real bananas. “I used to put peanut butter on sliced bananas, but this is a lot less messy,�?says one taster. “It’s good on crackers too.�?($4 for a 12-oz. jar)

Dunkin�?Donuts Tropical Fruit Smoothie
(360 CALORIES, 2.5 G FAT FOR 16 OZ.)
No glazed cruller is going to give you 160 percent of your vitamin C for the day along with a quarter of your calcium. And the taste? Staffers judged it “island-worthy.�?($3 for a small)

Stonyfield Farm 2-a-Day
(120 CALORIES, 0 G FAT PER CONTAINER)
Each carton of this fruity, fat-free yogurt contains 500 milligrams of calcium, so it takes just two servings to meet your daily calcium needs. Says one staffer: “The texture is smooth and light.�?($1 for a 6-oz. container)

Pacific Organic Creamy Tomato Light Sodium
(100 CALORIES, 2 G FAT PER CUP)
“Cutting back on the salt made the tomato flavor more prominent,�?says one taster.
The soup comes in a shelf-stable container with a spout so you can use the amount you want and refrigerate the rest. ($3 for a 32-oz. carton)

Julie’s Organic Mandarin Sorbet Bars
(60 CALORIES, 0 G FAT PER BAR)
You’d swear these pops were made with ice milk or frozen yogurt, but they’re dairy-free; a special European manufacturing process delivers the smooth texture. “If you love Creamsicles, you’ll love one of these,�?raved a taster. ($4 for a box of 4)

CRUNCHY

Kashi Organic Promise Autumn Wheat Cereal
(190 CALORIES, 1 G FAT PER CUP)
Lightly sweetened strands of whole wheat are woven together to create puffy mini-biscuits that one taster called “terrific finger food.�?That is, of course, if you decide to skip the milk. ($5 for a 17.5-oz. box)

Beigel & Beigel Pretzels 100% Whole Wheat Long Thick Sesame Sticks
(130 CALORIES, 4.5 G FAT FOR 9 STICKS)
Covered with sesame seeds instead of salt, these are one of the few pretzels on the market made with whole-wheat flour. According to one taster: “It’s just like eating a toasted sesame seed bagel.�?($2 for a 5-oz. bag)

Fiber One Oats & Chocolate Chewy Bars
(140 CALORIES, 4 G FAT PER BAR)
You’d have to eat four slices of whole-wheat bread to match the 9 grams of fiber in just one of these bars. “If I have one of these at 3 in the afternoon, I’m not hungry until 7,�?says one taster. Plus the crunchy oats and chocolate chips make it taste decadent. ($3 for a box of 5)

All-Bran Multi-Grain Crackers
(130 CALORIES, 6 G FAT FOR 18 CRACKERS)
Baked crackers�?especially fiber-rich ones—are usually blah, but these have a pleasant, butterlike flavor. Says one taster: “They’re especially delicious topped with a mild cheese like Camembert.�?($3 for a 10-oz. box)

Terra Stripes & Blues Exotic Vegetable Chips
(140 CALORIES, 8 G FAT FOR 14 CHIPS)
Made from striped beets, sweet potatoes, and blue potatoes, this medley delivers fi ve times the vitamin C of ordinary potato chips. Says one staffer: “Who ever knew beets could taste so good?�?($5 for a 6.5-oz. bag)

SALTY

Flat Earth Baked Tangy Tomato Ranch Veggie Crisps
(130 CALORIES, 5 G FAT FOR 12 CRISPS)
These crisps are a combo of pumpkin, peppers, and tomatoes and provide half a serving of vegetables. “The flavors actually work well together,�?says one taster, “and the powdery ranch topping gives it an extra kick.�?($3 for a 6-oz. bag)

Blue Diamond Bold Almonds
(170 CALORIES, 16 G FAT FOR 28 NUTS)
Lime and chili, wasabi and soy sauce, Maui onion and garlic, and jalapeño smokehouse�?tasters couldn’t decide which kind of low-sodium flavored almonds they liked best. What they could agree on: “They’re spicy, but not too hot to enjoy.�?($3 for a 6-oz. container)

Orville Redenbacher’s Gourmet Natural Simply Salted
(90 CALORIES, 5 G FAT FOR 4 1�? CUPS POPPED)
There aren’t any artificial flavors, preservatives, or colors in this microwaveable popcorn. “You get the taste of making it yourself without the hassle,�?says one staffer. ($3 for a box of 3 bags)

Stacy’s Whole Wheat Bagel Chips
(130 CALORIES, 4 G FAT FOR 14 CHIPS)
Thick (but not hard to bite) pieces of baked whole-wheat bagels satisfy a midday carb craving without breaking your calorie budget. Says one taster: “The sprinkle of sea salt on top is just the right amount to add flavor.�?($3 for a 6-oz. bag)

Quaker Sweet & Salty Toffee Nut Crunch
(150 CALORIES, 5 G FAT PER 2-BAR POUCH)
Firm enough not to get squashed even at the bottom of your gym bag, these granola bars are chock-full of salted cashew, peanut, and almond pieces. “They remind me of peanut brittle,�?says one taster. ($3 for a box of 6 pouches)

 

http://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/features/shapes-1st-annual-best-snack-awards

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