Best Snacks at the Store

Let me start by saying that not all my readers are weight loss surgery patients - so I'm sharing this with you all... and some snacks are not great for those of us avoiding carbs, but when you have to indulge - at least get the best bang for your calorie buck, right?

BEST PRETZEL
Rold Gold Honey Wheat Braided Twists
A nice touch of sweetness.
Per 8 pretzels: 110 calories, 2 g protein, 23 g carbs, 1 g fiber, 1 g fat

BEST POTATO CHIP
Kettle Brand Krinkle Cut Chips Salt & Fresh Ground Pepper
The perfect balance of salt, spice, and big potato crunch.
Per oz: 150 calories, 2 g protein, 16 g carbs,2 g fiber, 9 g fat

BEST TORTILLA CHIP
Garden of Eatin’ Black Bean
They not only taste great, but they're packed with fiber.
Per oz: 140 calories, 3 g protein, 18 g carbs, 4 g fiber, 7 g fat

BEST CRACKER
Triscuit Original
One of our perennial picks.
Per 6 crackers: 120 calories, 3 g protein, 19 g carbs, 3 g fiber, 4.5 g fat

BEST POPCORN
Smart Balance Light Butter
Free of trans fats but still with plenty of buttery flavor. Add dash of #108 to make it even better. Per package: 120 calories, 18 g carbs, 4 g fiber

BEST BEEF JERKY
Bridgford
Tender, smoky, and not saturated in sugar.
Per oz: 60 calories, 8 g protein, 5 g carbs, 0.5 g fat

BEST MIXED NUTS
Planters NUT-rition Heart Healthy Mix
Loaded with good fats.
Per 27 nuts: 170 calories, 6 g protein, 5 g carbs, 3 g fiber, 16 g fat

BEST ALMONDS
Blue Diamond Smokehouse
Great smoky taste.
Per 28 nuts: 170 calories, 6 g protein, 5 g carbs, 3 g fiber, 16 g fat

BEST FLAVORED NUTS
Emerald Cocoa Roast Almonds Dark Chocolate
Each bite is reminiscent of a Hershey bar with almonds, but without all the sugar.
Per oz: 150 calories, 6 g protein, 6 g carbs, 3 g fiber, 13 g fat
(I believe that my friend Donna reviewed these before and loved them!)

BEST NUT ALTERNATIVE
Hapi Hot Wasabi Peas
Has an addictive kick.
Per ½ cup: 130 calories, 5 g protein, 19 g carbs, 1 g fiber, 4 g fat

BEST CHOCOLATE BAR
Chocolove Strong Dark Chocolate 70% Cocoa
Most dark chocolate bars scare off milk chocolate devotees. This one converts them.
Per ⅓ bar: 160 calories, 3 g protein, 15 g carbs, 4 g fiber, 12 g fat

BEST COOKIE
Late July Organic Vanilla Bean with Green Tea
Like an Oreo—only it tastes fresher.
Per 2 cookies: 110 calories, 1 g protein, 16 g carbs, 1 g fiber, 5 g fat

BEST DRIED FRUIT
Welch's Berry Medley
Almost passes for candy, but every handful is loaded with vitamin C and other antioxidants. Just don't eat the whole bag.
Per ¼ cup: 135 calories, 32 g carbs, 1 g fiber

BEST TRAIL MIX
Planters Trail Mix Berry, Nut, and Chocolate
A smart substitute for a candy bar.
Per 3 Tbsp: 120 calories, 2 g protein, 18 g carbs, 1 g fiber, 5 g fat

BEST ENERGY BAR
Lärabar Apple Pie
Fantastic flavor with just six ingredients: dates, walnuts, apple, almonds, raisins, and cinnamon
Per bar: 180 calories, 4 g protein, 23 g carbs, 4 g fiber, 10 g fat
(Okay, how much energy can it give you with only 4g of protein?)

BEST PROTEIN POWDER
Nitrean Vanilla Whey-Casein Blend
Tastes better than any powder we've tried.
Per 30-gram scoop: 110 calories, 24 g protein, less than 2 g carbs, 1 g fat