It’s incredibly hard to find snacks to accommodate all the specialized dietary needs, even with the many snack options that are currently available. I currently get or make low-carb snacks, but a few of us are gluten free. To top it off, I eat vegan, though not religiously.
To make matters better or worse, depending on your standpoint, I do try to get healthy snacks because it’s important! Did I mention the lactose intolerance and allergies and the fact that we like to eat snacks that taste good? So, here are some options that we love. I hope you’ll enjoy them too!
Bobo’s Nut Butter Stuff’d Oat Bars (Gluten Free, Vegan)
We’re big fans of peanut butter and chocolate at my house, so Bobo’s Nut Butter Stuff’d Oat Bars is a great option for our currently frenetic, on-the-go lives. Bobo’s says that the bars are “filled with love” and that appears to be true. They’re certainly stuffed with all the wholesome goodness you need for a quick energy burst, with the added perks of chocolate chips and fruit options. Beyond the fact that they’re gluten-free and vegan, they’re also verified non-GMO, Kosher, dairy-free, and soy-free. It’s a rare combo, but we like ‘em.
Emmy’s Organics’ Peanut Butter Coconut Cookies (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Soy-Free, Vegan)
I know, I know, not everyone loves coconut cookies and the combo with peanut butter may sound a bit odd. Emmy’s Organics Coconut Cookies remind me of macaroons. They hit that sweet spot of sweet-and-salty, with a peanut butter kick that’s chewy and delicious. I wouldn’t blame you if you’re skeptical, but you really should give them a shot. They helped to make me believe that gluten-free AND vegan snacks can taste good.
GoMacro Bars (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Soy-Free, Vegan)
The GoMacro Bars are another on-the-go fix, with a range of flavor options, including dark chocolate, mocha chocolate chip, double-chocolate and peanut butter, oatmeal chocolate chip, etc. You’ve got to know that I love the chocolate varieties, but I also like to see these vegan and gluten-free options for kids too. They’re rocking the tagline: “Flavors Kids Love. Certifications Parents Trust.” I love their video too, as it reinforces the fact that what we eat really does make a difference.
HIPPEAS Organic Chickpea Puffs (Gluten-Free, Nut-Free, Vegan)
HIPPEAS® Organic Chickpea Snacks make snacking so much easier and healthier. They’ve gone all out in their effort to support gluten-free and vegan lifestyles. None of their snacks contain milk, soy, wheat, egg, peanut, tree nut, fish, or shellfish. Even their yeast extract is vegan (yes, I am curious about things like that)!
Beyond the health factor, their chips and puffs are all healthy, great tasting options for grab-and-go situations. Now that you know how great these snacks are, you’ll probably start seeing them at stores around town. They’re breaking out of the health-food-store-only mold. I even saw them at Target a few days ago.
Kakookies (Gluten-Free, Vegan)
Kakookies are “a cookie re-imagined.” So, if it seems like all we eat for snacks is cookies, it’s really not true. They are easy to grab and eat on-the-go, but they’re also gluten-free and vegan, with all the real ingredients that are better for you as an energy snack. It’s got plant-based protein and functional nutrition, which isn’t always easy to find. All the flavors are delicious, but I do love the dark chocolate.
As if I needed any more reasons to love this product, Kakookies is woman-owned. Its founder, Sue Kakuk says, “I wanted to pack the deliciousness and comfort of a cookie with the nutrition of an energy bar into a grab-and-go snack to help fuel busy and active lifestyles. I hope you enjoy them as much as I’ve enjoyed perfecting them!”
Munk Pack Keto Nut & Seed Bar (Gluten-Free, Vegan)
Munk Pack is another company that I’ve recently grown to love. They offer a range of bars and other snacks that are perfect as keto snacks, with no sugar. They really are great ways to satisfy my sweet tooth, while avoiding the sugar that’s found in most snack foods. I should note, though, that Munk Pack is not fully dairy-free certified. They do indicate, “We are committed to offering products that are not made with animal-based ingredients or materials. Our recipes use only plant-based ingredients.”
Partake Cookies (Gluten-Free, Nut-Free, Soy-Free, Vegan)
The Partake cookies are another favorite snack option for us, particularly as my kids are back in school with all the nut allergy restrictions for bringing snacks. They’re kid friendly and perfect as a way to accommodate a wide range of lifestyle and dietary requirements. Yes, they’re free of everything from peanuts, tree nuts, sesame, eggs, dairy, and soy. It’s also a product you can feel good about eating, with no artificial flavors or preservatives and certified non-GMO.
Purely Elizabeth Nut Butter Granola (Gluten-Free, Vegan)
Giving up bread is always hard for a gluten-free lifestyle, but I also miss the granola. That’s why I was excited to discover Purely Elizabeth Nut Butter Granola. They’ve got award-winning Ancient Grain Granola + nut butter. It’s the perfect combo, with a bunch of flavors that just happen to include Chocolate Sea Salt.
I think we’ve already established how I feel about chocolate, but they’ve thrown in organic superfoods: quinoa, amaranth, and chia. The founder, Elizabeth Stein, also launched a podcast, Live Purely, where she chats about mindfulness, health and wellness, gratitude, and even offers career advice. It’s all the good stuff.
That’s It Fruit Bars (Gluten-Free, Vegan)
While I’m not typically a big fan of fruit bars, my kids love these fruit snacks. We usually get them at Costco, but they’re also available from Amazon, with lots of flavors and options to choose from. Beyond the great taste, these fruit bars are plant-based, vegan, and paleo. They’ve got all the great flavors, but none of the sugars, preservatives, concentrates, etc. I haven’t tried the chocolate yet, but I’m pretty sure those will be delicious as well.
It’s not every day we can find great snacks to love that are not only healthy, but also support our dietary needs. I keep looking for more, and I’ve been pleasantly surprised by some great options that not only have the ingredients I can live with, but also taste good.
Have you been on the hunt for gluten-free and vegan snack options? Which snack products do you love? Sound off in the comments below.
For More Healthy Food Options, Check Out These Articles:
Fake Noodles Usually Hurt My Feelings, But I’m Actually Okay With Palmini
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