No matter how good of a diet we have, there are always times when we crave something a little less than nutritious, like potato chips, ice cream, or candy bars. One of my favorite snacks as a child when I wasn’t feeling well was Cheerios smothered in white sugar.

After attending this year’s Natural Products Expo West in March, I was pleasantly surprised at the amount of healthy snacks available that actually taste really good. 

Healthy Snacks That Taste Great

GrandyOats Original Coconola is grain-free organic granola with simple, identifiable ingredients: unsweetened coconut, cashews, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, pecans, sesame seeds, honey, maple syrup, and vanilla. It’s handmade with organic ingredients in a solar-powered bakery.

One quarter cup serving has 150 calories, 4 grams of protein, 2 grams of fiber, and only 4 grams (1 teaspoon) of added sugar. And it’s free of sodium and cholesterol. All of the fat (12 grams) comes from healthy nuts, seeds and coconut. Original Coconola is a great option for satisfying the desire for something crunchy and sweet.

Here’s another great find for those with children. Messy Monkey snacks are free of artificial colors, which we see a lot of in children’s products. Messy Monkey snacks are also free of artificial flavors, preservatives, hydrogenated oils, and MSG.

They’re shaped like Cherrios but are more for snacking than being eaten like an actual cereal. Each half-ounce bag has no added sugar, is low in sodium (69-95 mg depending on the flavor), and has 2 grams of protein. It’s the perfect snack for kids.

Simple Squares are organic nut protein bars that are raw, high in protein and fiber, and low in sodium. Simple Squares have only five ingredients: nuts, honey, sea salt, vanilla, and spices. These chewy goodies come in eight savory flavors and are great to keep at your desk or in your purse or gym bag for on-the-go snack cravings.

Chloe’s Fruit Pops are a delicious snack with 60 calories per serving and simple ingredients: water, fruit puree, and a touch of sugar. It really tastes like a dessert, is very satisfying to ease sugar cravings, and comes in a variety of flavors. Options include raspberry, strawberry, chocolate, pomegranate, mango, tangerine, and pineapple. Chloe’s tagline is “The Cool Way to Eat Fruit.” I have to agree, these pops are a guilt-free, refreshing way to enjoy a naturally sweet snack.

For more hot healthy products, jump over to the Carlson YouTube channel, and check out the Healthy Living playlist. I interviewed 20 companies at Natural Products Expo West, and these brands have some great stories and healthy products to share!