The guilt-free path to weight loss begins and ends with healthy snacks. But not all snacks are equal in calories or benefits: Healthy Truth, for example, offers Organic Cacao Goji Superfood Energy Squares, while Nuts.com snacks include Organic Cranberry Maple Crunch Granola Bark. Compare these snacks to find the perfect balance between flavor and health on your weight loss journey.
There is no question that Americans are addicted to snacks. The National Institutes of Health report that snack foods currently comprise about one-fifth of all the calories in the average American diet, and one-third of all Americans report eating between one and three snacks daily. There is also no debating the fact that many Americans are overweight. The Food Research and Action Center says 39.6 percent of U.S. adults are obese, and another 31.6 percent are overweight.
The link is obvious: too many people choose high-calorie, low-nutrient snacks – that lead to bad health outcomes. Luckily, there is a relatively simple answer to this problem: people with weight issues can substitute their unhealthy snacks with products that help them lose weight and improve their overall health. Snacks can contribute to or detract from a healthy diet, so strategically selecting healthy snack options can enhance the quality of your diet.
Consumers have never had such a wide assortment of healthy snacks as they do now, with products designed to satisfy a wide range of tastes, nutritional needs, and dietary restrictions. Nuts.com Snacks Organic Cranberry Maple Crunch Granola Bark and Healthy Truth Organic Cacao Goji Superfood Energy Squares are two excellent options. This article will examine these healthy options and help you decide which to try.
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Lose Weight with Healthy, Tasty Snacks: Nuts.com Snacks Organic Cranberry Maple Crunch Granola Bark vs. Healthy Truth Organic Cacao Goji Superfood Energy Squares is an original (OptimalPerformanceLiving) article.
Two companies, one healthy idea
Nuts.com snacks trace their roots back almost a century to the Great Depression when it was founded as the Newark Nut Company. The company began selling premium bulk nuts and dried fruit at the famous Mulberry Street open-air market in 1929 and soon earned a reputation for selling the finest and freshest nuts. In 1999, the company began distributing its wares online, and in January 2012, it officially became Nuts.com snacks.
It’s still a family-owned business, now in its third generation, and it has expanded its list of products to include other healthy snacks that often feature the same nuts that are still sold individually. Nuts.com buys directly from growers in retail and wholesale quantities. The company roasts its nuts and pops its corn the same day they are shipped to reach customers at the peak of freshness.
Healthy Truth, by contrast, is a much younger company, started by a group of friends in a home kitchen with a single dehydrator. Their snacks include almonds, sunflower seeds, dates, figs, and coconuts – an array of healthy ingredients to enhance a natural diet. All recipes were developed by Chief Creative Officer Bruce Namensen, who continues to create combinations that appeal to the general public and those with health concerns.
“I try to make it for somebody who might gravitate toward something that’s not so healthy, so when they try it, they realize they can get enormous flavor out of something that’s raw and sprouting,” Namenson says. “People snack an average of two or three times a day, and if you want to get the most out of a snack you need to find something that will fuel your body.”
A closer look
Organic Cranberry Maple Granola Bark is a popular product from Nuts.com snacks, while Organic Cacao Goji Superfood Energy Squares are big sellers for Healthy Truth. Both provide plenty of healthy ingredients selected to provide good nutrition while satisfying the snack craving that most Americans feel at least once per day.
Eaten in moderation in place of high-calorie snacks, either of them has the potential to be part of a smart diet plan designed to reduce weight and improve overall health. However, when all the nutritional values are considered, the Organic Cacao Goji Superfood Energy Squares offer a better product for dieters hoping to lose weight by adding healthy snacks to their daily routine.
Comparing them head-to-head, Healthy Truth’s squares provide more calories per serving – 210 versus 160 for Nuts.com snack’s bark. The squares contain more overall fat – 11 grams compared to 7 grams – but the bark has one more gram of saturated fats, which can be an issue for some people with restrictive diets.
The energy squares have three other significant advantages. The first is lower sodium: 10 grams per serving versus 40 grams for the bark. Sodium is known to have the potential to lead to high blood pressure, kidney problems, and an increased risk of heart disease. The second advantage is that the squares contain 5 grams of protein, while the bark has 3 grams.
Protein is a good source of long-lasting energy and helps the body repair muscle damage. Finally, the energy squares have five times the fiber of the bark, and fiber is an essential part of any healthy diet. It can also help with weight loss because it tends to make people feel fuller, making it less likely for them to cheat with higher-calorie foods.
Because Healthy Truth’s Organic Cacao Goji Superfood Energy Squares pack more nutritional benefits into each serving, they are a clear winner compared to Organic Cranberry Maple Granola Bark from Nuts.com snacks.
The bottom line:
Snacks can lead to weight loss
Nutritionists say “snack” is not a four-letter word for people trying to lose weight, especially if the foods chosen are rich in essential nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, and fiber. They can provide a balance of macronutrients, such as proteins, healthy fats, and complex carbohydrates. Snacks can be an enjoyable part of a daily routine, but knowing what nutrients they provide is crucial.
By planning and focusing on nutrient-rich foods, snacks may support weight management goals by managing hunger and keeping dieters satisfied between meals. People need to eat fewer calories to help reduce the fat in their abdominal area. It may also help to eat foods that contain fiber, such as oatmeal, and certain vegetables, like broccoli. Foods that contain healthy fats like olive oil, as well as protein shakes, may also help.
Snacks can fit into a diet designed to manage weight. A plan on the types of snacks to pack for work and on the go will help diversify food selection, vary the nutrients eaten, and help prevent hunger between meals. Remember, think nutrient-dense (fiber, protein, vitamins, minerals) and then stick to the plan.
Further reading
My Healthfinder: Healthy Snacks
Eating Healthy: Heart-Healthy Snacks
USA Today: Healthy Snack Ideas
Important Note: The information contained in this article is for general informational purposes only, and should not be construed as health or medical advice, nor is it intended to diagnose, prevent, treat, or cure any disease or health condition. Before embarking on any diet, fitness regimen, or program of nutritional supplementation, it is advisable to consult your healthcare professional in order to determine its safety and probable efficacy in terms of your individual state of health.
Regarding Nutritional Supplements or Other Non-Prescription Health Products: If any nutritional supplements or other non-prescription health products are mentioned in the foregoing article, any claims or statements made about them have not been evaluated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and such nutritional supplements or other health products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
