Best Healthy Snacks to Buy on Carewell
There’s no such thing as too many snacks when you’re a family caregiver. After all, picky eaters abound, whether you’re caring for children or seniors.
Stocking up on various snacks can reduce arguments and make your job easier, but it’s important to avoid junk. Thankfully, you don’t have to sacrifice flavor for nutrition!
At Carewell, we carry dozens of healthy snacks sure to tickle the tastebuds without putting your loved one’s health at risk. In this article, we highlight some of our favorites and answer your commonly asked questions.
What Are Healthy Snacks?
Snacks, like chips, crackers, and candy provide a quick energy boost, but they have little nutritional value. Healthy snacks, on the other hand, are nutrient dense. They’re low sugar, low in fat and salt, but contain lots of fiber. This fills you up and helps you feel satiated longer.
What Makes Healthy Snacks Better?
Healthy snacks offer various benefits compared to their unhealthy counterparts. They prevent your blood sugar from spiking, help you maintain a healthy weight, and reduce the risk of common health problems, like high blood pressure (hypertension) and high cholesterol.
If your loved one has an underlying medical condition, like arthritis or diabetes, healthy snacks relieve symptoms like inflammation and promote whole-body health.
Healthy Snack Favorites on Carewell
Our most popular healthy snacks include:
1) KIND Healthy Grain Bars
These peanut butter and dark chocolate snack bars from KIND are made with 100% whole grains. The recipe includes oats, buckwheat, millet, amaranth, and quinoa. Each bar contains 0 trans fat, is low in sodium, and packed with fiber. Pack these on your next picnic, hike, or trip to the park.
Key Benefits & Features:
Gluten-free
No genetically modified ingredients
A healthy twist on the classic grain bar
Price: $48.32
2) Bare Baked Crunchy Apple Chips
These baked chips from Bare feature a mix of Fuji and Red Delicious apple slices. There’s no added sugar or preservatives, yet they provide that classic crispy potato chip feel for those looking for a crunchy snack. Each bag weighs 3.4 ounces. The zip-lock top keeps the apple chips fresh and allows for easy transportation.
Key Benefits & Features:
Carmelized natural sugar on the outside
Baked never fried
A rich source of vitamin C, potassium, and magnesium
3) Rind Snacks, Skin-On Dried Fruit
This tropical dried fruit mix contains bittersweet orange, organic pineapple, and tangy kiwi. Rind snacks are unique in that they contain fruit with the skin on. Fruit skin is a vibrant source of vitamins, antioxidants, and fiber. It’s also delicious and significantly reduces food waste.
Key Benefits & Features:
Rind uses all-natural, USA-grown fruit
No sulfites, added sugar, or preservatives
Each three-ounce bag has 2.5 servings
4) PopCorners, Popped Corn Snack
Who says healthy snacks can’t be fun?
PopCorners provides a healthy alternative to junk food, like chips, crackers, and french fries. They’re kind of like tortilla chips but made from popcorn. Each PopCorner is lightly seasoned with sea salt and contains significantly fewer calories and fat than a potato chip.
Key Benefits & Features:
Comes in two flavors –– Kettle Corn and Sea Salt
No artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives
Great for an on-the-go snack without any guilt
5) Catalina Crunch, Keto-Friendly Snack Mix
Catalina Crunch snack mix is an excellent snack if your loved one is on a low carb or ketogenic diet. Each serving has eight grams of protein and features a trail mix style combo of nuts, chickpea pretzels, and Catalina crunch cereal. Yum!
Key Benefits & Features:
Four grams of fiber per serving
Same great taste as a traditional party mix
Only five net carbs per package!
6) ZonePerfect Nutrition Bar
ZonePerfect nutrition bars make a tasty snack or an on-the-go breakfast. Each bar is individually wrapped and has 14 grams of protein.
The ZonePerfect recipe features 19 vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, including vitamins E and C and selenium.
Key Benefits & Features:
12 nutrition bars per box
No artificial sweeteners or preservatives
Excellent source of nutrients
Hear it from a caregiver
"If you are a person who needs extra protein in their diet or are on dialysis, the best place to order is from Carewell. They have all kinds of bars and the supplies you need. The customer service is great and very helpful.”
- Clarice M.
7) Clif Kid Zbar, Chocolate Brownie
Getting your kids with a sweet tooth to eat nutritious snack options can feel like pulling teeth, but the right strategy helps! Case in point: these chocolate brownie bars from Clif Kid.
Each bar has 8-11 grams of whole grains, making them an excellent source of fiber. The chocolate flavor is amenable for even the most picky eaters and goes down easy with a cold glass of milk. You’ll be an after-school hero with these in your pantry.
Key Benefits & Features:
Certified USDA-organic and Non-GMO
Loaded with carbs, fiber, protein, and healthy fats to help fuel your little one
Contains zero high-fructose corn syrup and zero trans fat
Price: $28.97 - $77.68
8) Sahale Snacks, Maple Pecans Glazed Mix
Rounding out our list of healthy snacks is this delicious nut mix from Sahale Snacks. It contains pistachios, pecans, dried cherries, and dried pomegranate delicately coated in a maple and cinnamon glaze. Is your mouth watering yet?
The complex layering of flavors and textures provides a snacking experience unlike anything else. Plus, there aren’t any artificial preservatives or flavorings, so you can crunch and munch without any guilt.
Key Benefits & Features:
No high-fructose corn syrup or other artificial sweeteners
Dry roasted for optimal flavor
The combination of salty and sweet makes this mix a great addition to any snack plate
Need Help Selecting Healthy Snacks?
With so many healthy snacks to choose from, narrowing your options down can be a real challenge. Let us help! Our friendly Care Specialists regularly answer caregiver questions and make product recommendations. Call (800) 696-CARE or send an email to support@carewell.com. We provide customer support 24/7 and are here to assist.
Best Healthy Snacks - Commonly Asked Questions
1) What should I look for when choosing healthy snacks?
Healthy snacks are different from regular snacks in that they don’t have added sugar. Ideally, you want to look for snack foods high in fiber, low in fat, and loaded with nutrients. Every item on this list meets the criteria to make your life a little easier.
2) How many healthy snacks can I eat per day?
Healthy snacks can help tide you over when you get hungry, but they aren’t a substitute for balanced nutrition and regular meals. Most people can eat two or three snacks per day. Try and ensure each snack is between 150-200 calories. Anything higher can slow your metabolism and cause you to gain weight.
3) Can a registered dietitian help me choose better snacks?
Yes. Choosing meals and snacks is one of the most common challenges family caregivers face. A qualified professional, like a registered dietitian, can make recommendations that align with your loved one’s health and nutritional needs.
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Read More >Chad Birt is a freelance medical writer who resides in Astoria, Oregon. When he isn't behind a keyboard, you can find him hiking, camping, or birdwatching with his wife Ella and their two dogs, Diane and Thoreau.
Chad Birt is a freelance medical writer who resides in Astoria, Oregon. When he isn't behind a keyboard, you can find him hiking, camping, or birdwatching with his wife Ella and their two dogs, Diane and Thoreau.