In my house, the search for the perfect snack is of utmost importance. In fact, I probably spend more time in the snack aisle then I do searching for the perfect cut of meat.
The perfect snack, in my opinion, not only tastes good, but is also low in fat and calories (and, of course, Weight Watchers points).
Recently, I came across a number of items that fit all three criteria.
Miss Meringue (OU parve and produced by Jacques Gourmet) ? A line of meringue cookies that start off with a satisfying crunch and finish by melting in your mouth. They come in a huge variety of flavors ranging from vanilla, chocolate and strawberry to the more exotic like mint chocolate chip and coconut. Their latest flavor, triple chocolate chip, is such a hit with my kids that by the time my husband got home and looked in the container for a taste, guess what? There was only one left. They are 80-90 calories per serving depending on the flavor (that's two WW points). The 5 oz. containers can be found in most major supermarkets and the single serving bags are available in specialty food stores.
Eat Your Heart Out (Star K parve and produced by Amy Sinaiko Inc) ? Two different kinds of snacks for different taste buds. This line includes fruit snacks in two flavors ? apple cinnamon and peach with mango. Unlike other fruit snacks on the market, these are wedges, not pieces, and have a very intense fruit flavor. They are great with plain or vanilla flavored yogurt and ice cream. At 80 calories a bag, zero fat and 2 grams of fiber (that's one WW point) ? they are a great tasting and nourishing snack.
The second item in this line is freeze-dried soybeans. Now, like some of you I had my doubts at first but I have to tell you, these are addictive. They come in three different flavors: salsa, Indian spice, and sweet and sour. At home, we added the sweet and sour ones to vegetable soup – just a sprinkle on top ? and we loved it. The flavors are also intense, but not overwhelming. They are 90 calories per bag, with between 2-3 grams of fat per serving (that two WW points), and have the added value of getting soy in your diet.
Eat Your Heart Out products are available at most major health food stores, but if you can't find them, you can order online at www.eatyourheartoutsnacks.com.
The final product of the month is not what you would call a conventional snack item ? instant soup. In our house, soup is not always a meal; sometimes it's just a filling and nutritious snack.
Kojel (OU parve and produced by V.I.P. Foods Inc) has a line of instant soups in an assortment of flavors. We tried the cabbage, vegetable/chicken couscous and garden vegetable with noodles and enjoyed all three. They are low in fat and calories ? less than a gram of fat and ranging from 136-144 calories per container (that's one-two WW points). They are available in your local kosher grocery or major supermarket. Their line also includes jello, puddings, and hot cereal for Pesach and much more.
That's it for this month. Coming in March ? pizza and mozzarella sticks.