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Are Packaged Snacks Good for You?

Packaged foods are convenient and time-saving for you as they come in per serving packs and it is easy to keep a calorie count on them. It helps to keep a tab on what you are consuming on the go. Packaged food companies today are focusing more on the health aspects as most of you have become more conscious about what you and your family consumes. Some of the important aspects of packaged foods are:

  • Dietary Awareness:

    Packaged foods with good nutritional value will help you consume portion sized snacking. This helps in preventing over-indulgence and also doesn’t require any preparation as the packaging is also single-serve.

  • Saves Time:

    Packaged foods help you save minutes or hours as you don’t have to prepare anything yourself. Single-serve packaged foods are lifesavers especially if you are a working individual as they help you get the nutrients you need without any extra effort.

  • Added Nutrients:

    Many packaged foods have added nutrients in them based on the regional necessity. For example, in America vitamin-D, calcium, fibre and potassium are usually the added nutrients considering some of you usually miss out on these 4 nutrients in your diet. So even though you are missing out on certain important nutrients in your diet, these packaged foods will help you get your fill.

Tips for Selecting a Healthy Packaged Snack

  • Check the Amount of Salt:

    The daily limit for sodium consumption is 1 tsp, but some of the packaged foods out there contain huge amount of salt in one serving. So, look for ‘low sodium’ or ‘no salt added’ labels on the package before buying.

  • Count the Ingredients:

    Lesser the ingredients the better it is for you. Keep the snack as clean as possible and choose something that has less ingredients because less ingredients means that it is healthier and less processed.

  • Don’t Buy Foods that Have Artificial Colours and Flavours:

    Artificial colours and flavours might make it look more appealing and tasty, but are not healthy as they contain harmful chemicals. Always check for their presence in the packaged food and don’t buy them if it has artificial colours and flavours in them.

  • Sugar Content:

    Fruits and dairy products contain natural sugars and are healthy and hence perfect for your diet. However, packaged foods tend to contain sugars that can lead to weight gain and other health issues. If any packaged food contains more than 10 grams of sugar per serving, then it is best to avoid it.

  • Look for Nutritional Value:

    Packaged foods contain nutrients like protein and fibre along with fat and sugar. It often becomes difficult to determine whether it is good for your health or not. The best solution to this problem is, sum up the values of the protein and fibre from the nutritional facts and also the values of fat and sugar, now compare the results. If the sum of protein and fibre is higher than that of sugar and fat, then you can go for it.

  • Fat Content:

    Fat and added flavour are things that make it difficult to quit packaged foods. While selecting a packaged food, buy one with less amount of saturated fat per serving. Avoid anything that has trans-fats in them as they have been linked to heart diseases.

10 Best Healthy Packaged Snacks

1. Granola Bars:

Source purplehippie.in

The Fruit and Nut Granola Bar by Purple Hippie is a delicious snack to satiate in-between meals hunger pangs. Made with dried fruits, seeds and nuts, the granola bar is a healthy and convenient snack to relish when you are on the go, just after your workout or whenever you feel like munching on something. It makes for a filling, quick, tasty and satisfying meal in itself. You can add these granola bars in smoothies, salads and also in ice creams. You can grab these granola bars anytime of the day and even kids will love them! Available on Purple Hippie, a box of 6 granola bars will cost you ₹ 300.00.

2. Nutty Yogi Trail Mix:

Source nuttyyogi.com

Nutty Yogi is a food brand that believes in developing products by merging age-old wisdom and the global palate. The pure ingredients are given a concurrent and contemporary twist and flavour that appeals to the urban customers. The Cacao Nibs Trail Mix from this food brand is a roasted snack that is packed with vitamins, proteins and energy. Roasted to perfection, this oil-free snack is a healthy combination of cacao nibs, cashews, Almonds, ginger candy, coconut sugar, vanilla and citrus flakes. This is a perfect product for fitness enthusiasts and when you are on outdoor activities like biking, hiking or trekking. The product is available on Nutty Yogi for ₹ 429.00 for a 250 gm jar.

3. Green Canteen Crunchy Almond Papad:

Source www.greencanteen.in

Green Canteen is a food brand that provides the finest quality naturally sourced products to their customers. Their products are free of adulteration, microwave radiation, pasteurisation or processing, which help preserve the nutritional value and rich taste of the ingredients. These products are free of chemicals and preservatives. The crunchy Almond Papad with Spices from Green Canteen is a delicious and healthy alternative to the regular papad. It is made of high-quality nuts and combined with white pepper, peanut butter, jaggery, nutmeg and almonds. This ready-to-eat papad does not contain artificial additives and is neither fried or baked. Available on Green Canteen a 60 gm pack costs only ₹ 150.00.

4. MotherWay – Palm Jaggery Black Sesame Sweet Ball:

Source www.motherway.in

The MotherWay team has earnestly brought back good traditional sweets to today’s generation. The ingredients used in their products are sourced directly from the farmers and are of impeccable quality. The traditional processes used to craft the sweet gives it a magical taste that is unforgettable. The Sweet Ball – Palm Jaggery Black Sesame is a delicious high-protein snack from MotherWay. The sesame laddu made of palm sugar is crunchy and packed with magnesium, vitamin-E, zinc, iron and calcium that boost immunity and balance body weight. The healthy and delicious snack is available on Mother Way for ₹ 175.00.

5. Mindful Eat Anytime Millet Energy Bars:

Source www.amazon.in

The exceptional Mindful Eat Anytime Millet Bars are packed with the goodness of jowar, quinoa, bajra and ragi that enhance the nutrient quotient of these bars. Bursting with flavors and taste, this wholesome nutrition snack is rich in minerals like iron and calcium, protein, fibre and antioxidants. This vegetarian product is perfect for post and pre-workout session. The gluten free snack is available in a pack of 300 gm that contains 12 bars of 25 gm each. Available on Amazon, the price of the snack is ₹ 315.00.

6. Pintola Organic Wholegrain Brown Rice Cakes:

Source www.amazon.in

Pintola is one of the top manufacturers of nut butters in India. Their vision is to introduce healthy products in the market that are simple yet nutritious. They use the finest grade and fresh ingredients and deliver the best quality. Brown Rice Cakes from Pintola is a nutritious snack that is perfect for those of you who indulge in bodybuilding, fitness regime, running, yoga or weight loss. Made of wholegrain brown rice, the ingredient is 100% certified by NPOP and USDA. The rice cakes are yeast-free, soy-free and gluten-free. They don't contain any stabilisers, salt and sugar. They are perfectly baked for remarkable crispiness. Each cake has 16 gm of brown rice and is packed with dietary fibres. This diet friendly snack has no trans-fat or cholesterol. The unsalted and all-natural rice cakes are available on Amazon and a 125 gm rice cakes pack costs ₹ 190.00.

7. Timios Mini Oaty Bites:

Source mytimios.com

Timios has a range of products for children that are packed with goodness on the inside while it is absolutely fun on the outside. These guilt-free, wholesome snacks are the right choice both for your kids and you. Timios Mini Oaty Bites is a combination of super ingredients that are healthy and tasty in every bite. The soft chewy bites are perfect for preschoolers and toddlers. It is available in two flavours – nuts and berries and the second one is apple and kiwi. The ingredients include oats, dates, nuts, berries, rice, honey, malt extract, refined vegetable oil and mixed tocopherol. The product can be consumed directly by children. It dissolves easily in the mouth. It does not contain artificial colours, preservatives and flavours. The healthy snack is available on Timios for ₹ 160.00.

8. Happilo Premium Turkish Apricots:

Source happilo.com

Happilo is a food-brand founded in 2016 and has its headquarters in Bengaluru. The company brings an exclusive range of organic seeds, trail mixes, dried fruits and nuts that cater to the taste of every age group. Turkish Apricots from Happilo are jumbo sized dried apricots that are moist, chewy, plump and delicious. This dairy-free and gluten-free snack is a great source of antioxidants, dietary fibre and omega-3. The low sodium and low-calorie fruit makes it a perfect snack for weight watchers. Apricots are known for its various health benefits and reduce the risk of several diseases. It has zero-cholesterol, zero-trans-fat, No GMO, No gluten and is high in dietary fibre. The premium product is available on Happilo for ₹ 285.00 for a 200 gm pack.

9. Ketofy – Keto Namakpaare:

Source www.ketofy.in

Ketofy products are made from natural super-food ingredients such as seeds and nuts. They make high quality keto products that have helped people to follow low carb and keto diet without much effort. Ketofy products are ultra-low in glycemic index and carbohydrates that help fix several health conditions such as obesity, metabolic and thyroid syndrome, insulin resistance and diabetes. The Namakpaare from Ketofy is an Indian vegetarian snack that is a rich combination of flax seeds, sunflower seeds, watermelon seeds, pumpkin seeds, almonds, carom seeds, natural mango extract, vachellia nilotica gum and Himalayan salt. This is a healthy evening snack that can be relished with coffee or tea. The product is available on Ketofy for ₹ 289.00.

10. Urban Platter Crispy Roasted Masala Khakhra:

Source urbanplatter.in

Khakhras are a traditional Indian savoury snack from Gujarat that is popular all-around India. This wholegrain, protein-rich and almost fat-free delicious snack is just right to beat all those cravings. It is also the best diet food. Urban Platter is a company run by people who believe in providing guilt-free food options to their customers. This masala khakhra from this brand is a crunchy and lip-smacking snacking option. The roasted khakra is a great accompaniment to tea. Made from wheat flour and spices this savoury snack is a favourite treat to satiate your taste buds. A 200 gm pack is available for ₹ 99.00 on Urban Platter.

Healthy Indian Snacks to Make at Home

Packaged snacks available in the market are usually high in sodium, sugar and fat. So, making these snacks at home ensures that they are healthy and nutritious. The popular Indian snacks include:

  • Dhokla: This Gujarati snack is made from fermented chickpea flour. It is a good source of iron, calcium, and magnesium.

  • Bhel Puri: This savoury snack is made from puffed rice, vegetables, peanuts, mixed spices and drizzled with tamarind chutney. This guilt-free delicacy is packed with complex carbs and good protein.

  • Makhana: This is a healthy choice when it comes to evening snacks as it is packed with protein. It is roasted in a pan with some ghee and sprinkled with salt, pepper or paprika.

  • Baked Samosa: Although the fried version of samosa is high in calories, the baked one is just perfect to satisfy your cravings minus all the fat. There are plenty of options when it comes to the filling – from potato and peas to minced paneer, mixed vegetables to minced chicken, there are ample choices to opt for.

  • Kati Rolls: This is one of the mouth-watering Indian snacks and also a popular street food. Made of various kinds of fillings from sauteed vegetables to paneer or chicken, it is a favourite among kids and adults alike. Replacing the bread with whole wheat flour makes it healthy. It is packed with carbs, protein, vitamins A, E and C and fibre.

  • Khandvi: This is yet another popular snack from Gujarat made from yogurt and chickpea flour. This steamed dish has rich protein content and is gluten-free. It also has nutrients like iron, calcium, zinc, manganese and fibre.

  • Nuts and Seeds: From almonds, walnuts, pistachios and flax seeds to sunflower seeds, the nuts and seeds are something that satiates everyone’s taste buds from children to adults. These are packed with healthy fats, protein and fibre that impart good health benefits. Just grab a handful of them to curb your hunger pangs any time of the day.
Writer
Malathi
Malathi is a freelance content writer offering blogging, ghost-writing, and copywriting services. In addition to developing digital marketing content, she maintains niche websites related to kids, parenting, and pregnancy. Malathi's works have been featured on several prominent blogs and websites. When she is not writing, you will find her exploring exotic locales on our beautiful planet.

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Healthy Packaged Snacks - Best of Both the Worlds

Healthy packaged snacks offer you the convenience of ready-made snacks without compromising on your health or dietary requirements. We hope this BP Guide would have helped you decide which healthy packaged snacks you would like to try out first. Stay connected with us for more such engaging content.