Snacking can be a large portion of our daily food intake. Here are several Winners that taste great and have significant nutrition value. The flavor mentioned is the one our tasters and nutrition analysts preferred (other flavors may be available). All have 0 g trans fat and no partially hydrogenated oils.

Links go to the manufacturers' Web sites, where more information (including ingredients and online ordering, for some) is available. Click on product photo to see Nutrition Facts (when available); data not verified by Winning Foods.

See Definitions page for a key to the RED SYMBOLS indicating nutrient/health claims and organic status.

SEE OUR APPETIZERS PAGE FOR MORE SNACK OPTIONS, INCLUDING DIPS!

Nature's Path
ORGANIC GRANOLA BARS, Pumpkin FlaxPlus
Org

These tasty wheat-free bars are not too sweet, hard or sticky, and are a good source of fiber (3 g), at least the older version that we sampled was. They're packed 5 bars to the box and come in 5 different flavors. Note that nutrition shown (linked to photo at left) is from manufacturer's Web site and reflects Nutrition Facts for the updated product (e.g., 2 g fiber, which no longer qualifies as "good source" of fiber; fat has been lowered to 3.5 g).
(www.naturespath.com -- go down to "Granola Bars" using the pink/red slider bar to navigate down)

Mountain Organic Foods
BEAR FRUIT BAR
Org, LF, F, H

This is the "uncandy bar" -- sweet and chewy (but not tough), with no added sugars. Contains just organic fruit (from more than one whole apple) and fruit juice concentrates, and delivers the taste and nutrition of apples in a much more convenient form. Great for bikers, backpackers, kids and dieters. Comes in 4 flavors. Nutrition shown is for all flavors.
(www.morfoods.com -- to order online.)

Earthbound Farm
ORGANIC CARROTS WITH ALL-NATURAL RANCH DIP
Org

Simple and convenient veggies and dip packed to go. Carrots are petite and sweet; dip is clean tasting (no preservative taste) and not loaded with fat (8 g total, if you use the whole tub of dip -- unlikely). Get crunch and flavor with 130% of your daily vitamin A!
(www.ebfarm.com -- go down to "Organic Carrot Dippers"; other fruit & veggie snack items also described)

Just Tomatoes
JUST VEGGIES
LF, H

A colorful mix of dehydrated (crispy, not hard) corn, carrots, peas, tomatoes and bell peppers that's unbelievably addictive. Low in fat (1 g) and sodium (40 mg), with decent fiber (2 g), protein (4 g) and a whopping 210% of your daily vitamin A. Eat out of the tub or sprinkle on soups, salads, omelettes, etc.
(www.justtomatoes.com)

Snyders of Hanover
MULTI GRAIN PRETZEL STICKS
F

This multi-grain pretzel stick boasts 3 g fiber and isn't too salty (160 mg sodium), plus the crunch is just right -- not too hard. Great taste and nutritional balance in a versatile stick shape.
(www.snydersofhanover.com, see also their new line of other multi-grain pretzels)

Good Health Natural Foods
PEANUT BUTTER FILLED PRETZELS
F

More fat (6 g, 1 g saturated) than most pretzels, but it's worth it for the nutrition (5 g protein, 3 g fiber) and taste satisfaction. Use of whole wheat also boosts crunch. Some batches appear to have more sodium than stated.
(www.goodhealthnaturalfoods.com)

Corazonas Foods
CORAZONAS TORTILLA CHIPS
F

We loved the taste and texture of these corn and oat chips. Good source of fiber (3 g), and added plant sterol esters (may reduce risk of heart disease) are among the nutrition pluses. Our favorites of the 3 flavors are Original (low in sodium -- see Nutrition Facts linked to photo -- but you won't miss it) and Salsa Picante. All are great alone or with fresh salsa.
(www.corazonas.com)

Genisoy
SOY CRISPS, Barbeque Flavor
LF, H

Truly addicting and more nutritionally impressive than most chips or rice cakes out there. Only 2 g fat (0 saturated), but a respectable 2 g fiber, awesome 7 g protein (from soy) and 10% of the Daily Value (DV) for iron (Creamy Ranch flavor -- which we liked almost as much -- has 10% DV for calcium as well).
(www.genisoy.com - note updated nutrition info for this flavor)

Kettle Brand
BAKES potato chips, Hickory Honey Barbeque Flavor
(formerly Kettle Krisps)
LF, H

Kettle Brand's revised baked potato chip/crisp now has even more of the crispy texture and sweet/savory nuances of an addictive, full-fat chip. We liked the BBQ flavor best, but all 3 flavors (now with a little more fat and flavor satisfaction, but still low in fat) are winners. Nutrition highlights: 3 g fat, 2 g fiber, 15% DV vitamin C.
(www.kettlefoods.com)

Mary's Gone Crackers
ORGANIC CRACKERS
Org, F

These wheat-free, gluten-free crackers are surprisingly good for a mixture of brown rice, seeds and seasoning. Part of the attraction is the texture -- delicate (from a waffer-thin profile) and crispy. They're a good source of fiber at 3 g (rare in a cracker) and the fat (3.5-4.0 g) is from what naturally occurs in the grains and seeds. Nutrition shown is for Onion, our favorite of the five flavors and the lowest in sodium at 140 mg (qualifies as "low-sodium"). (www.marysgonecrackers.com)

Venus Wafers
HEALTHY HAUTE CUISINE SEED OVERLOAD CRACKERS
LF

Canola oil and organic flour go into this delicate, crispy, low-fat cracker. Seed Overload has 3 g fat, 1 g fiber and 3 g protein. Great hors d'oeuvre/party cracker when you want something healthier ... with class. (www.venuswafers.com -- click on "Healthy Haute Cuisine" line of crackers)

Kashi
TLC TASTY LITTLE CRACKERS, Original 7 Grain
LF

Appealing little crackers with a variety of grains and no hydrogenated fats. Nice balance of fat (3 g total, 0 saturated), fiber (2 g) and protein (3 g). Great taste alone or when topped. Sodium lower than average for a salted cracker (200 mg). (www.kashi.com)

Vegi-Deli
TOTALLY TERIYAKI VEGI JERKY
LF

Great jerky flavor and texture (not as tough/fibrous as most meat jerky) from wheat and soy, and a real improvement over past veggie jerky attempts. Only 0.5 g fat, but 22 g protein and a good source of iron (10% DV). Ideal office, school or trail snack when you want protein without the fat and additives.
(Product discontinued, unfortunately... grab it if you see it still in stores!)

SnackMasters
TURKEY JERKY, Teriyaki Flavor
LF

Here's a turkey breast jerky with winning flavor and texture (usually not too tough or dry, depending on how long it's been stored) plus no nitrates/nitrites, etc. Sporting 14 g pritein with only 0.5 g fat and 30 mg cholesterol (not quite legally "low-cholesterol"). Also available in various flavors of Range Turkey (no hormones, etc.), Beef, Certified Beef, Tuna and Salmon.
(www.snackmasters.com)