Chifles Plantain Chips
Claim: Chifles markets itself as a healthier-for-you snack that's 100 percent vegan and gluten-free. It's also up-cycled and uses simple ingredients.
What the experts say: While you might want to nosh on these for taste, crunch and texture, these aren't the healthiest option. "You definitely want to avoid snacks that contain refined vegetable oils," says Axelrod. "While vegetable oils are low in saturated fat, they are also high in omega 6 fatty acids. An overabundance of omega-6 fatty acids in your diet has been linked to heart disease, diabetes and inflammation, to name a few."
Verdict: Steer clear of vegetable oils!
Brightland
Claim: Brightland markets itself as making handcrafted, flavorful, healthy oils.
What the experts say: Axelrod gives this one two thumbs up for its nutritional label. "What we know now based on research is that extra virgin olive oils contain compounds called polyphenols, which are responsible for many of its health benefits. The fresher the olive oil, the higher the polyphenol content."
Verdict: Healthy!
Lesser Evil
Claim: Lesser Evil says it's dedicated to creating clean, healthy snacks that are as tasty as they are guilt-free.
What the experts say: "All of their products are organic and their popcorn gives you options to choose from made with avocado oil, coconut oil or grass-fed ghee and since it's air-popped, it keeps the calories low," say The Nutrition Twins, Lyssie Lakatos, RDN, CDN, CFT and Tammy Lakatos Shames, RDN, CDN, CFT. "Unlike other popcorns that have a long list of ingredients, this brand keeps it simple without extra additives or preservatives."
Verdict: Healthy!
Ark Foods
Claim: Ark Foods markets itself as a modern-day farming company that creates simple and fresh food options.
What the experts say: "These vegan dishes are made with healthy vegetables, spices, extra virgin olive oil and, depending on the product, even use cashews to make cheese-flavored ingredients," say the Nutrition Twins. "They make a healthy, low-calorie pasta replacement or a healthy cauliflower mac and cheese."
Verdict: Healthy!
Bubba's Fine Foods Ungranola
Claim: Bubba's Fine Foods Ungranola markets itself as a gluten, grain, dairy, soy and refined sugar-free alternative to traditional granola.
What the experts say: "This grain-free, no-refined sugar granola has only three grams of added sugar, which is far less than many granolas which contain upwards of 16 grams, and definitely fits in recommendations to stay below eight grams of sugar per serving of cereal," say The Nutrition Twins. "Green saba bananas provide a boost of prebiotic fiber." That said, they warn that like most granolas, the granolas here are still fairly high in calories and that these in particular are also high in saturated fat because of the coconut oil.
Verdict: Healthy! (Albeit somewhat caloric.)
