Think Mini Meals – Snack Often

Mar 1, 2024 by Chef David

By Chef David

Snacking has been given a negative image. This is in part because the media created an association between snacks and unhealthy choices. The only distinction between a snack and a meal is portion size. Snacks are smaller than traditional meals. Snacks make up a quarter of the calories Americans consume, and 90% of adults report snacking at least once a day. It’s time to reimagine eating with the inclusion of mini-meals.

The traditional 1950s image of the nuclear families, mother, father, and kids gathered around a properly laid table is another image created by the media. With our hectic lifestyles, eating on the run or snacking is normal.

People are apt to grab and go to get a much-needed burst of energy during the day. Improving the nutritional content of these snacks can boost performance and satisfy your body’s urge to snack. Trust your body and if it is craving nutrition reach for the perfect snack.

Drizzelious – Rice Cakes Reimagined

These mini rice cakes are enhanced with quinoa, chia, and flax and then drizzled with premium chocolaty flavor. They come in unusual and alluring flavors, Birthday Cake, Salted Caramel, S’mores, Cinnamon Swirl, and Cookies & Cream, something for every taste pallet, and 21 pieces contain 90 calories.  Our favorite flavors were the Salted Caramel and Birthday Cake but we enjoyed them all.

Certified pareve by OU and CRC, these addictive, crunchy bite-sized snacks have become a travel staple, as well as a Shabbos snack. They could easily become habit-forming. These addictive rice cakes, contain only 4 grams of sugar and are gluten-free and tree nut free.

Drizzelious is produced by Snack Innovations Inc. a family-operated business specializing in the production of innovative snack foods, which are Better-For-You.

Drizzzelious can be found in stores or ordered online.

Nebula Chocolate – Zero Sugar Snack

These chocolates are certified kosher dairy by the Vaad HaRabanim of Greater Seattle and are sweetened with allulose and monk fruit extract. Other ingredients include cocoa butter, unsweetened chocolate, tapioca fiber, coconut oil, sunflower lecithin, and vanilla bean, all easily recognizable ingredients. As far as calories go, three pieces contain 150 calories, with five grams of fiber, and provide iron, calcium, potassium, and vitamin D. Although the label identifies Nebula Chocolate as being dairy-free, they are identified as dairy since they are produced in a facility that processes dairy.

Nebula comes in three flavors, buttery pecan, chocolate shell filled with a pecan butter core, double chocolate crunch, a crunchy quinoa puff core, and red razz, with a raspberry crème core. We enjoyed snacking on them chilled from the fridge.

They are the perfect guilt-free Mishloach Manot or Shabbos treat for people with diabetes, or those just limiting their sugar intake.

Texture and taste are just like any pareve chocolate. The only difference is the absence of sugar. Enjoy this guilt-free chocolate treat from Nebula available for online orders.

The Pretzel Plate

The Pretzel Plate created a chocolate pretzel boutique, that delivers high-quality kosher chocolates certified by the CRC. They sell pareve pretzels in addition to milk chocolate Cholov Yisroel upscale truffles.

This family-owned and run business started in an apartment closet and grew into a chocolate lover’s dream. Their products are simple but elegant, chocolate-covered pretzels, with a variety of coverings, each better than the last. Even the simple pareve pretzels are fresh, crisp, and delightful. They make a quality pretzel snack that we enjoyed eating and makes a great gift, they have created an extensive selection of gift packages including one for Mishloach Manots, all available online.

The Pretzel Plate takes presentation seriously with customizable packaging for their mini pretzel bags that can include your logo or picture. Their personalized .75-ounce bag of mini chocolate pretzels is perfect for gifting.

The Pretzel Plate even designed a package for The Jewish Voice And Opinion, which we are proud of and grateful for. The Pretzel Plate’s delicious treats are as beautiful as they are tasty.

 

Nuts on the Run Gourmet Pareve Perfection

Nuts on the Run offers a wide variety of nutty combinations each better than the last, and all delivered to your door. They have a variety of options, which include sweet, savory, gluten-free, vegan, or sugar-free, all pareve and certified by Oregon Kosher. Some of their unusual flavors include an exciting almond selection that ranges from rosemary almond to bacon almond garlic, a great combination of sweet and savory. On the sweet side, we enjoyed the cinnamon and caramel pecans. As far as nuts go, they have cashews, almonds, pecans, and pistachios.

These out-of-the-world delicious creations were instant hits. Our favorites were the rosemary almonds and sea salt caramel pecans.

Adam and Lydia Myhoob have owned and operated Mediterranean cuisine restaurants for years until Adam developed his unique rosemary almonds (vegan) for his bar customers which led them to create Nuts On The Run in 2013. Created in small batches these wholesome, all-natural products are made without artificial ingredients of any kind.

Nuts on the Run can be ordered through Soupergirl or directly online.

Their nuts are fresh forward flavors,  grounded in tradition but inspired by a passion for creativity with out-of-the-box flavors.  Nuts on the Run has something unique to satisfy every palate.

Guilt-Free Taste Forward

Make intentional snacking a priority part of your daily routine. Schedule mini meals as a short break. A time to stretch, mentally step away from work or chores, and refocus. This energy boost increases your productivity, which makes it easier to cope.  Use planned snacks as a time for you to pull back from your busy schedule and indulge.

Schedule snack time into your day and select a variety of healthy bites. This introduces an attitude of mindfulness while allowing you to pay attention to your body’s needs.

These snacks are perfect served on Shabbos, as a way to bridge your appetite, as an afternoon nosh. They are also great ideas to give as Mishloach Manots.

Rethink snacking – Give in to the temptation and snack happily.