Healthy Snacks to Fuel Your Summer Fun

Busy summer days call for easy, healthy snacks and add-ins — you know, healthy goodies that are easy to grab when you’ve got one foot out the door, or toss into yogurt or a salad when you want a little extra nutrition but don’t have the time to do a bunch of chopping.

Happily, I’ve had a few tasty options cross my desk in recent weeks, so although I can’t actually share my snacks, I can share the deets on the treats I’ve been noshing on.

Barùkas: Supernuts of the Savannah

Want a snack that’s not just good for you, but also good for the planet? Then you’ve gotta get to know Barùkas, which has (takes deep breath): 6g protein per serving with all the essential aminos, more fiber than any other nut, over three times the antioxidants of other nuts, fewer fat calories than other nuts, plus, these nuts offer a way to reforest the planet while helping indigenous communities on their land. For every five bags ordered, Barùkas (the company) is planting a Barùkas tree in an endangered South American ecosystem called the Cerrado. The baru nuts are sustainably sourced, come from fair-trade practices, are pollinator-friendly, and have a low water footprint.

The nuts on their own are pretty tasty, in an earthy way. The Barùkas Trail Mix, which offers a mix of Barùkas nuts and Barùkas fruit, is slightly sweeter, but it’s still not going to be, you know, sweet. However, don’t let that turn you off — the rich, nutty flavor truly grows on you. Plus, look at all these recipes!

OJAS STUDIO Date & Grain Bite

Whether you’re into Ayurveda and always looking to balance your doshas or just like tasty snacks packed with flavor, the OJAS STUDIO Date & Grain Bites are sure to appeal. Each flavor (Coconut, Fig & Orange Peel; Cardamom, Cinnamon & Walnut; and Ginger, Cinnamon & Chia) corresponds to a different dosha (which I’ve touched on before, and you can learn more about here) — and each flavor is seriously delicious. They can be eaten alone, straight out of the bag (like, they are an amazing snack to have in your bag after a workout, when you’re not hungry for a real meal yet but know you’ll be hangry if you don’t eat anything until dinner), but are also great to crumble over yogurt or a slice of toast with nut butter.

OHi Superfood Bars

It won’t shock you to know that I’ve got a soft spot for anything with a Hawaiian angle, but honestly, I would’ve loved the OHi Superfood Bars just as much if they’d been inspired by Toledo, Ohio. These plant-based, gluten-free, grain-free bars were developed in founder Dawn Anderson’s Maui kitchen, after which she sold them at local farmers markets before recently relocating both her personal life and her business to the mainland in order to better serve more customers. But even though they’re now made in L.A., they retain the “aloha” spirit they started with, using clean, whole foods packed with protein and healthy fats to keep you satisfied long after you’ve chowed down.

They do require refrigeration, but can be kept at room temperature for several days without any issues beyond losing their firm texture. The Coconut Macadamia is probably my favorite, but the Super Green is a very, very close second — and every other flavor gets high marks from me, too.

Protein Toppers Toasted Bean Blends

Crunchy, plant-based, and boasting 15 to 17 grams of protein per individually packaged serving, these Protein Toppers are super versatile. They’re available in three varieties (Tri-Soy Medley, Pepita & Soy-Pea Medley, and Garbanzo & Soy Medley), all of which are naturally gluten free, have clean label certifications and are low carb, high fiber, low calorie and nut free. It’s easy to eat them however you’d eat nuts or seeds — so, on their own, in salad, in soup, and on yogurt, plus, these savory little snacks can also be worked into recipes for pesto, pancakes, stir-fry, and more.

ICONIC Protein Drinks

Like to sip your snacks? ICONIC Protein Drinks have 20g of protein and 4g of fiber, but are lactose-, soy-, and gluten-free, with little or no sugar. While they’re best chilled, they can be stored and served unrefrigerated — and you won’t be disappointed either way, because these flavors are just fantastic. I don’t think I can choose a favorite — the new Cacao + Greens (which has a full serving of organic vegetables, plus flavonoids, potassium, magnesium, manganese, and more) is delicious, but I was legitimately sad to finish off the last of my bottle of Turmeric Ginger, and there’s truly not a one that I would turn down (Chocolate Truffle, Vanilla Bean, Coconut Matcha, and Cafe Latte are all amazing. Ah-mazing.). In fact, I liked them so much, I never got around to using any of them in a smoothie or adding them into my coffee as recommended. So, I guess I’ll just need to order some more!

What snacks are you stoked about this summer? —Kristen