The Best Wellness Snacks for Summer
Looking for the perfect summer snack that won’t leave you feeling like you’re falling short of your wellness goals? We rounded up everything from extra-hydrating beverages to low-sugar candy to high-fiber protein bars
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Summertime is filled with sweet temptations and sugary drinks, so finding better-for-you options is key to staying healthy. Misinformation and “health-washing,” or using misleading marketing to convey the false impression of healthiness, is more prevalent than ever.
Athletech News has rounded up five healthy food and beverage brands that will make it easier than ever to cut sugar, regulate your gut and pack protein into your daily routine.
credit: Supergut Supergut
Supergut is a gut-focused brand with various offerings, like bars, shakes, and prebiotic mixes. Ward off summer sweet temptations with Supergut’s fiber-filled products, like its Gut Healthy Prebiotic Bar and the Gut Healthy GLP-1 Booster. The Gut Healthy Prebiotic Bar is one of the most delicious protein bars I have ever had. The Strawberry Almond flavor tastes like a strawberry shortcake but only has 1-2 grams of sugar, 10 grams of fiber, and 10 grams of protein. It also comes in Peanut Butter Chocolate and Chocolate Brownie, which are equally delicious, coated in a thin layer of an erythritol-based coating that tastes and looks like icing.
The Gut Healthy GLP-1 Booster has an almost imperceptibly sweet flavoring but is packed with 22% of the recommended daily value of fiber and 0 grams of sugar. The added fiber helps keep you full to reduce cravings and mindless snacking. The Booster can be easily added to everything from coffee, smoothies, oatmeal, baked goods, and sauces. Although summer can be stressful, Supergut can help keep you healthy and moving.
credit: Skratch Labs Skratch Labs Hydration Everyday Drink Mix
Skratch Labs Hydration Everyday Mix is perfect for extra hydration on warm summer days with natural, subtly sweet flavoring. The company was founded by a scientist and cycling coach, Dr. Allen Lim, who got frustrated with the artificial ingredients in pre-packaged sports bras and drinks. Skratch Labs is made with 0 grams of added sugar and real fruit and comes in flavors like Lemon + Lime, Tangerine + Orange, and Salted Margarita.
The brand uses natural ingredients to deliver a subtle but deliciously sweet taste; a serving is only 10 calories and has 0 grams of sugar per serving. Skratch Labs is perfect for athletes who need to refuel after sweaty days outside in the summer heat but without artificial sweeteners.
credit: SmartSweets SmartSweets
If you’re looking for a lower-sugar sweet treat, SmartSweets might be your answer. A packet of SmartSweets candies has only around 130 calories per pack and 92% less sugar than traditional candies. SmartSweets has products reminiscent of classic candies, like sour patch candies, peach rings, gummy fish, fruity bears, and watermelon sour bites.
The candy is slightly chewier than traditional candy but is juicy and surprisingly filling, with around 6 grams of fiber and only 3 grams of sugar per bag. Some of my favorite SmartSweet candies were the Sourmelon Bites and the Fruity Gummy Bears, which almost made me forget that I was eating candy made of stevia, not real sugar.
credit: Lemon Perfect Lemon Perfect
It’s no secret that lemons have health benefits, like hydration, immune, digestive, and skin support. Every bottle of Lemon Perfect has half a squeezed lemon but zero grams of sugar and comes in unique flavors like Dragon Fruit Mango, Peach Raspberry, Watermelon, Coconut, and Blueberry.
Lemon Perfect’s tartness is perfect for a hot summer day or after a tough workout; I found myself continually reaching for a bottle after a tough workout. Each bottle also has 20% of the recommended daily value of Vitamin C. For an extra sweet and tart flavor, try Blueberry and Watermelon. The brand’s colorful and sleek packaging is also perfect for summer settings, like the beach, bike rides, or tennis courts.
credit: Catalina Crunch Catalina Crunch
Catalina Crunch has taken cereal fanatics by storm with its low-carb, keto-friendly, zero-sugar, and gluten-free cereal. Although it is marketed as a cereal, Catalina Crunch is treated by many as a healthy snack. With 11 grams of protein and 9 grams of fiber in one serving, the brand is fighting against cereal’s reputation as an unhealthy way to start the day. The cereal has the crunch of a snack but with a heartiness most competitors lack, making it filling even in small quantities.
Catalina Crunch comes in familiar flavors like Dark Chocolate, Cinnamon Toast, Maple Waffle, and Honey Graham. The cereal’s ingredients include Catalina flour, made from pea protein, potato fiber, and chicory root fiber, as well as tapioca flour, sunflower oil, and stevia extract. Even small kids love Catalina Crunch, as it tastes like a better twist on conventional cereal. If you’re looking for a new snack or breakfast routine, look no further than Catalina Crunch.
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