Healthy Packaged Goods I Can’t Live Without

Someone recently asked me to do a post on what I typically eat, and it kind of stumped me.  When I am home, I’m always in the kitchen trying new recipes.  I’ll make a big casserole dish of some eggplant concoction ( like Eggplant and Zucchini Rollatinis!) or maybe get fancy with Chicken Piccata that I’ll have for lunch and dinner one day and then pull out the crockpot for a Pumpkin Soup the next.  I should probably mention that I also snack continuously throughout the day, mostly on nuts and fruit.

At restaurants, I am normally drawn to fish entrees because I rarely prepare seafood at home, but really it’s whatever tickles my wildly uninhibited taste buds and won’t derail my health goals (which generally means no fried, no pastas, no sandwiches).

While I do make many of my favorite health foods at home (like Coconut Peanut Butter, Beet and Caramelized Onion Hummus  and Cinnamon Apple Chips), I am no stranger to the packaged section of the grocery aisle.  I am, however, an incessant scrutinizer who fills her re-usable shopping bag with only non gmo, organic (and typically gluten free) products.

My criteria for choosing packaged goods:

• organic
• non gmo
• gluten free
• low sugar
• soy free
• absolutely delicious
• Bonus points if the company has a mission statement that incorporates sustainability, supports local communities, is cognitive of its carbon footprint, and promotes quality ingredients.

Healthy Packaged Foods you will ALWAYS find in my Shopping Cart:

Purely Elizabeth Chocolate Sea Salt Probiotic Granola and Pumpkin Fig Granola.  Gluten free goodness sent from heaven. There are plenty of great gluten-free granola varieties that taste delicious, but nothing rivals the quality and scrumptiousness of Purely Elizabeth.  Perfect with yogurt, on oatmeal, sprinkled on baked fruit, or how I indulge: eating the entire bag in one sitting with my bare hands.  All of the Purely Elizabeth products are nutrient rich with high quality ingredients that promote optimal health. Pumpkin fig is my personal favorite, but you can’t go wrong with the blueberry or cranberry varieties.  I love that all of the ingredients listed on the label are ones I honestly am excited to put into my body.  Pumpkin Fig Ingredients: organic certified gluten-free oats, organic coconut sugar, organic raw virgin coconut oil, organic puffed amaranth, organic quinoa flakes, organic millet flakes, organic pumpkin seeds, dried figs, organic sunflower seeds, organic Salba chia seeds, organic cinnamon, sea salt.   Serving: 1/4 cup.  Cal 140, Fat 6, Sugar 6, Protein 4

Kevita Probiotic Drinks.  I couldn’t go a day without this delicious way to promote healthy gut bacteria!  All of the flavors are great but I prefer the ones with less than 2 grams of sugar per serving.. like the one I’m drinking right this moment, Hibiscus Berry.  This one has 0 grams of sugar and 10 calories for the entire bottle.  And Kevita uses apple cider vinegar in many of their drinks… which as we all know, is a health superstar!  My love affair with Kevita is real, and one I plan on continuing to foster.

Majestic Garlic Spreads.  Oh where do I begin.   The garlic spreads make EVERYTHING taste better. And the hummus…. it’s utter perfection.  I love all of the flavors equally, but I’ve found myself on a bit of a cayenne kick lately.  Which is great, because cayenne revs up the metabolism!

Hope Hummus Thai Coconut Curry.  This is one of those foods that I read the label the entire time I’m eating it because I am in absolute disbelief that something so healthy could taste so orgasmic. At 45 cal/serving, why not indulge?  And look at these perfect ingredients!   ORGANIC GARBANZO BEANS, WATER, ORGANIC TAHINI (SESAME SEEDS), ORGANIC EXTRA VIRGIN OLIVE OIL, ORGANIC AGAVE NECTAR, ORGANIC JALAPEÑOS, ORGANIC DRIED COCONUT, SEA SALT, ORGANIC LIME JUICE, CITRIC ACID, ORGANIC CURRY POWDER, ORGANIC SPICES, ORGANIC GARLIC POWDER, ORGANIC RED CHILI PEPPER FLAKES. CONTAINS COCONUT.

Living Intentions Mango Goji Fire Trail Mix. Each bite is more interesting than the last.  A perfect marriage of flavor… and it’s sprouted!

Aris Yogurt Fig and Plain.  Rich and creamy, without any of that ‘yogurt tang’ these yogurts are perfect for making dips, topping potatoes, adding to recipes, and enjoying with some fresh fruit.  No added sugar, lactose free, and if you eat the entire container you’re only in the hole 190 calories.  Did I mention that they come in a dozen flavors?

Garden Of Life Plant Based Protein Powder in Smooth Vanilla.  I am addicted to all of the Garden of Life products, but especially their protein powders.  Read why I chose GOL brand over all of their other competitors here.

Braggs Apple Cider Vinegar Limeade Drink. These 0 calorie, 0 sugar drinks remind me of lime popsicles… and they’re just as refreshing. The perfect way to reap the health benefits of apple cider vinegar without the bitter taste.

Harmless Harvest Coconut Water. In my honest opinion, there’s no other packaged coconut water to buy.  Close your eyes while you drink Harmless Harvest and you’re going to think your in Phuket, Thailand drinking straight from a freshly fallen coconut.

Pascha Dark Chocolate Chips.  Do you know what it’s like to find a dark chocolate bar not containing soy letchin?  Next to impossible.  Go ahead, I dare you to go into whole foods and stand before their dozens upon dozens of chocolate bars and find me one that doesn’t contain soy.   I’ve basically given up hope!   ….until I found Pascha.  They also make bars, but I typically go for the bag of dark chocolate baking chips.  I keep them in a mason jar in the fridge and have a few everyday.   I also bake with them! (like in my banana bread)

Green Mountain Gringo Roasted Garlic Salsa. If I’m not making my own salsa, you better believe I’m using Green Mountain’s Roasted Garlic Salsa.  Unlike the other salsas it shares the shelf with, Green Mountain is low in sodium and sugar and contains all natural ingredients.

Miltons Gluten Free Crackers Everything. Milton’s chips nail the crunch and flavor so perfectly that you’ll never even notice that they are gluten free.  I’m all about the everything flavor, but multi-grain is a close second.

Coconut Organics Dark Chocolate Coconut Chips.   But bacon flavor is pretty damn delicious too.

Peeled Snacks Peas Please, Garden Herb.  I adore these crispy peas and don’t feel guilty if I polish off the entire bag since it will only set me back 300 calories and change. The garden herb flavor is savory and satisfying and all the Peas Please pack a healthy dose of protein and fiber.

Pips Truffle Popcorn. Popcorn is one of my favorite snacks because I can pretty much mindlessly eat it while binge watching ‘Big Little Lies’ without feeling guilty. As for truffle?  A trend I have embraced wholeheartedly. What makes this popcorn even more unique than the delicious flavor, is that the kernels are smaller than your typical corn.. so less breaking a tooth cap off, more enjoying bite!

Am I missing your favorite product?  Leave a comment and I’ll review it!

Are you affiliated with one of the products on my “can’t live without” list?  Send me an email if you would like to discuss future collaborations, chelseagilson@gmail.com