Product of the Week: French Squirrel Offers Truly Tasty Healthy Snacks
To satisfy your sweet tooth without the guilt, French Squirrel offers nutrient-dense and delicious options
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French Squirrel was founded by Sydney Karmes-Wainer, whose food Instagram inspired by her time in Bordeaux, France, turned into the healthier-for-you snack company.
The company’s French-inspired healthy snacks include Beurre (crunchy date peanut butter), Bisous (cereal clusters), Bateaux (chocolate-stuffed dates), and Berets (chocolate protein bites).
Athletech News tried out French Squirrel products to see if they indeed offer a healthy way to satisfy a sweet tooth.
Pros
French Squirrel’s lineup of products was among the most delicious healthier-for-you goodies I’ve ever tasted.
Unlike many healthy treats, which taste like fake sugar, protein powder, or artificial ingredients, French Squirrel tasted like real food. The brand’s chocolate is made without milk, soy lecithin, or any emulsifiers, stabilizers, or preservatives, and the difference is noticeable.
The Beurre, or the crunch date peanut butter, had actual chunks of Medjool dates throughout, and the consistency of the butter was smooth but not overprocessed. Its list of ingredients is amazingly short: just peanuts, dates, cinnamon, and sea salt. The butter tasted homemade and was delicious alone or as a spread.
The Bateaux were equally fantastic: I found myself reaching for them nightly as a better-for-you dessert. With a similarly short ingredients list to the Beurre (just dates, peanut butter, unsweetened chocolate and sea salt flakes), French Squirrel is reminding consumers that simplicity can be king. The Bateaux were also fairly filling: one date stuffed with almond butter was 110 calories, with 7% of the fiber RDA The snack was also great for dipping into warm beverages or ice cream.
The Bisous, or cereal clusters, were a great daily snack, reminiscent of what some call “Puppy Chow” or “Muddy Buddies.” The clusters were again covered in just peanut butter and dark chocolate for a satisfying but not overly sweet flavor. They were likely the easiest “on-the-go” option, rivaling the Berets, or protein bites.
One of the best features of French Squirrel is that its products are vegan, gluten-free, organic and date sugar-sweetened. While the products may not be “low-calorie,” you can be sure you’re filling your body with nutrient-dense, real food, unlike many “healthier” options on the market.
Cons
French Squirrel’s prices are high: its Beurre costs $28 for 2 jars. Although the jars last a while, $14 for peanut butter is hard to swallow. Similarly, the Bateaux come out to around $3 per date, which is an expensive after-dinner treat.
The products also easily melt, particularly in the summer. Fridge storage for all French Squirrel products but the Beurre is necessary, so they might not hold up on the go, particularly if it’s warm outside.
Overall
If you’re looking for a healthier-for-you snack or dessert option with real ingredients, French Squirrel just might be your answer. The brand’s products are available in over 1,000 stores throughout the United States or on the French Squirrel website.
Read more ATN Product Reviews here.