If you’re trying to avoid seed oils trying to purchase premade snacks can be particularly challenging. Obviously, any premade snack has been processed and the vast majority of processed food in the United States contain some type of seed oil.
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I’m assuming that you’re trying to avoid seed oils for health-related reasons. If that’s the case, I feel compelled to state the obvious—almost all prepackaged snacks, even those that are made without seed oils, aren’t “healthy.” Now my definition of healthy is eating food that provides my body with key nutrients that actively benefit me. Your definition of healthy may be different, but generally prepackaged snacks don’t contain nutritional value.
So the best thing for your health (as I define it) is to eliminate prepackaged snacks and substitute those items with whole foods. However, assuming you still want to eat the occasional prepackaged snack, those that avoid seed oils and generally avoid other harmful ingredients are at least a better option.
In this post I’m going to suggest several snack options—some prepackaged, some whole foods. This is obviously not an exhaustive list, but hopefully it will get you on the right track (sometimes when you start something new, you just need a little inspiration). Also note that many of these recommendations are brand specific, and some are product-within-a-brand specific. It’s really important to check labels to ensure there are no hidden seed oils. If you’re unsure what a seed oil is or why you should avoid them, I have a detailed explanation here.
Most of the brands I suggest can be found at the conventional grocery store, at health food stores like Whole Foods, on Thrive Market, or Amazon. I will link to them whenever possible.
- Chips fried or baked with avocado oil. Brands that generally do this include Jackson’s Sweet Potato Chips, Boulder Canyon avocado oil chips (note that not all Boulder Canyon chips are made with avocado oil, but the ones that are are clearly labeled as such on the front), and Siete tortilla chips.
- Cheese crisps. Most brands should be seed oil free, but always double check the label. Moon Cheese is always a great option!
- Popcorn, I suggest making regular popcorn at home so you can really control the ingredients. This microwave safe popcorn popper is great for that. But if you’re in the market for store bought popcorn, Lesser Evil is seed-oil-free.
- Granola bars specifically Larabar and RXBAR. There may be other brands that don’t contain seed oils, but they are definitely rare.
- Granola. It is very easy to make your own granola, and like granola bars, it’s a bit challenging to find seed-oil-free granola, but if you are looking to purchase granola, Pure Elizabeth is a good brand.
- Cereal is another item that’s tricky to find without seed oils. Seven Sundays, Nature’s Path, and Lovebird all have seed-oil-free options.
- Meat sticks/bars including Epic or Chomps.
- Chocolate–a classic treat for most women. Lilly’s is a great option.
- Dried or freeze dried fruit like raisins, strawberries, or blueberries are also great options. Generally these will be seed-oil free, but always double check the ingredients.
- Applesauce or fruit smoothie pouches will generally be seed-oil-free. Noka has a delicious pouch.
- Fresh fruit. It’s basic, but delicious!
- Yogurt. Again super easy to make at home, but there are also many great store bought brands.
- Cheese, including string cheese, cheese curds, baby bell, laughing cow, the options are endless, as cheese is generally seed-oil-free.
- Nuts such as almonds, cashews, walnuts, peanuts again, a plain nut should be seed-oil-free, but if you are looking at getting any flavored nuts or nut mixes, check the ingredients.
- Eggs. Again, not exciting, but sometimes a hard boiled or deviled egg is the simple, high protein snack to get you through to dinner.
I hope this gave you some great ideas as you continue working hard to improve your health. You got this!
Love,
This mama
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