Upgrade Your Snack Game: 25 Healthy Swaps to Add to Your Pantry

healthy snacks

I'm kicking off the new year with a health mindset -- easing back into a workout routine by hiring a trainer for just 30 minutes a week, plus swimming (yes, in winter!) and hot pilates. In terms of food, I'm focusing on less sugar, fewer carbs by eating veggies for breakfast, for one.

Week one, I went food shopping and stocked up on vegetables and proteins and healthier snacks. I work from home so I'm often raiding the fridge for nibbles and treats throughout the day. But with my new health-focused drive I'm looking for snacks that aren't going to literally weigh me down.

If you're packing your lunch for the office or school, or you're working from home too, here are 25 healthy snacks that are better than your go-to variety of chips, puffs, chocolates and jerkies. Have the munchies? Reach for these instead.

Healthy Snacks We Love

Magic Dates Bestsellers Sampler

Your tastebuds and the rest of your body will love this gluten-free, paleo snack. You don't have to worry about any added sugars *and* you can indulge in delicious flavors like Lush Lemon Bar and Coconut Cream Cake.

SkinnyDipped Almonds

Score some healthy fats with these sweet yet low-sugar almonds that are gluten-free and made without artificial ingredients. They're also very delicious!

Real Food From the Ground Up Butternut Squash Crackers

Made with butternut squash and other real veggies like cauliflower, these vegan and gluten-free crackers and chips are a great alternative for your usual salsa dippers.

MadeGood Healthy Snacks Variety Pack

Grab and go these vegan and gluten-free bars in assorted flavors AKA your new between meals go-to.

The Only Bean Crunchy Dry Roasted Edamame Snacks

Craving a salty snack? These keto-friendly snacks are hight in protein, low carb and just 100 calories per pack.

BEAR Real Fruit Snack Rolls

Fruit snacks for kids or adults (why not?), these gluten-free, vegan and non-GMO treats in strawberry flavors will satisfy your sweet tooth any day.

Simple Mills Almond Flour Crackers

Healthy snacks like these gluten-free cheddar crackers can prevent energy crashes while keeping you focus and productive (not hungry!).

Perfect Bar Variety Pack

Healthy snacks can also help you avoid overeating at meal time. Keep a steady pace throughout the day with these protein bars that are also gluten and soy free with no added sugar.

GoMacro Macrobar Organic Vegan Protein Bars

Made with blueberry and cashew butter and organic ingredients, these protein bars will keep the hangries at bay.

The Daily Crave Lentil Chips

If you're into spicy in the form of sriracha, then these gluten/non-GMO lentil chips will keep you satiated until dinner.

POSHI Vegetable Snack Variety Pack

Get your veggie serving in with a paleo snack you can grab without waiting for steaming or roasting.

Siete Tortilla Chips

These grain-free chips are so good you won't miss the grain. Snack on them solo or dip them in your favorite dips.

Cascadian Farm Organic Granola

Organic granola makes a great breakfast meal or afternoon snack, especially with no added sugar (this one is sweetened with fruit). This one's made with whole-grain oats, date powder, coconut and cashew.

CHOMPS Grass Fed Beef Jerky Snack Sticks

These jerky sticks are sugar-free and perfect for tossing in your bag for late-day cravings.

SmartSweets Lollipops

Bring back the nostalgia of lollipops with these low sugar, plant-based suckers.

Sheila G's Brownie Brittle

Get a ton of chocolate goodness in a small bite with this chocolate chip brownie brittle. Not only does this snack taste amazing with vegan ice cream or coffee but it's also kosher!

Hippeas Organic Vegan White Cheddar Chickpea Puffs

These baked vegan snacks are full of plant protein and fiber and are perfect when you're craving a cheesy crunch.

GoodSam Foods Sugar-Free Dark Chocolate Bar

Vegan chocolate for the win. Grab one of these keto-friendly bars next time you're in need of a chocolate fix. And for dessert, try their Vegan Miso Chocolate Cake, yum!

Four Sigmatic Mushroom Cacao Mix with Reishi

Reishi mushrooms offer a host of health benefits (like immune- and mood-boosting) and mixed with organic cacao in a gluten/dairy-free hot chocolate, they are a great swap for your morning cup of joe.

Schoolyard Snacks Keto Cheese Puffs

Keto cheese puffs? We're sold. These grain and gluten-free snacks are low carb and tasty to boot!

Country Archer Provisions Grass-Fed Beef Pack

For carnivores, these low-sugar, gluten-free jerkies are made with grass-fed beef, no nitrates or msg, and come in delicious varieties like teriyaki and mango habanero.

Alter Eco Organic Chocolate Superdark Truffles

These sustainably-made dark chocolate truffles have a coconut oil-based ganache inside that's so rich one is enough to get you through the after-lunch slump.

GimMe Sea Salt Roasted Seaweed

This delicious vegan snack just features three ingredients: seaweed, sunflower oil, and a pinch of sea salt.

opopop Flavor Wrapped Kernels Starter Kit

These popcorn packs come with your kernels and flavoring (like Fancy Butter, Maui Heat, and Cinnalicious) all in one pack which makes things way easier, and more mess-free than ever. Count us in.

Yes Bar Macadamia Chocolate

We have yet to meet a macadamia nut we don't like. These buttery, nutty and chocolatey bars also have tart cherries and a pinch of French sea salt for the perfect salty-sweet treat. They are also low in sugar (sweetened with maple syrup and coconut nectar), paleo-friendly and free of GMOs, gluten, grains, dairy, soy and eggs.


What healthy snack are you munching on these days? Share with us @BritandCo!

Main Photo by PICHA

Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.

This post has been updated.

Searching for safer alternatives for your everyday cleaning needs? It’s time to make the switch to non-toxic cleaning products. Maybe you’re curious out of concern for your kiddos or pets – either way, non-toxic is the way to go. A lot of typical cleaning goods contain chemicals that are known to be harmful to human health and the environment, so it’s best to avoid them by opting for non-toxic options.

Some examples of harmful chemicals commonly found in cleaning products are sodium lauryl sulfate (irritates the skin and lungs), phosphates and phthalates (endocrine disruptors), bleach (irritates the skin, eyes, and lungs), and synthetic fragrances (can cause dizziness, irritation and pollution), among other miscellaneous chemicals.

It can be hard to nix these elements out of your routine entirely, but making small swaps can make a massive difference. See our favorite non-toxic cleaning products without these harmful chemicals for maintaining all areas of your space, from the laundry room to the kitchen!

Amazon

For Your Bathroom: Attitude Bathroom Cleaner

This vegan, EWG-certified bathroom cleaner is full of plant-derived cleaning agents to tackle spills, stains, and is even tough on limescale. It smells like fresh citrus without any artificial fragrances, which is a huge plus when it comes to non-toxic cleaning products.

Amazon

For Your Toilet: Blueland Toilet Bowl Cleaner Starter Set

These easy-to-use dissolvable tablets replace the need for bulky plastic packaging. Just drop one in the toilet bowl, let it dissolve, scrub, and you're done! Each tablet expertly tackles rust, mineral deposits, limescale, and hard water. They're made without plastic, parabens, bleach, phosphates, and ammonia, instead prioritizing ingredients that are 100% bio-based, biodegradable, and septic-safe.

Amazon

For Dishes: Cleancult Dish Soap

We love this eco-friendly, recyclable packaging. It's refill-sized, so you can use it straight form the box or fill up your own glass container! This dish soap made without phthalates, phosphates, dyes, SLS (sodium lauryl sulfate), and SLES (sodium laureth sulfate) cuts grease and grime for some super squeaky-clean dishes every time.

Amazon

For Your Hands: Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day Basil Hand Soap

This non-toxic hand soap smells so good without artificial fragrances, instead using essential oils, aloe vera, and olive oil to create its basil-y scent. You'll want to keep it by every sink in the house! It's made without parabens, phthalates, or artificial colors, plus this product is certifiably cruelty-free.

Amazon

For Glass Surfaces: Seventh Generation Glass Cleaner

This highly-rated non-toxic glass cleaner provides streak-free shine using 100% biodegradable ingredients and no artificial fragrances. The formula has zero volatile organic compounds, dyes, or harsh fumes, but still gets the job done easily. This pick is also compatible with chrome and stainless steel surfaces!

Amazon

For Your Laundry: Earth Breeze Laundry Detergent Sheets

Plastic laundry detergent jugs, who? These very effective non-toxic detergent sheets are packed into a small, lightweight cardboard box that's way less bulky than a plastic jug, and more importantly, easier to recycle after the product runs out. The detergent formula is friendly on sensitive skin, since it's dermatologist-tested, hypoallergenic, bleach-free, dye-free, paraben-free, phosphate-free, phthalate-free, and certified cruelty-free. You only need half a sheet for a regular load, so these will last you a good while.

Koala Eco

For All-Purpose Cleaning: Koala Eco Multi-Purpose Kitchen Cleaner

This all-purpose non-toxic cleaner is eco-friendly, biodegradable, and boasts a plant-based formula that smells delightfully like lemon and mandarin. There are zero synthetic fragrances and zero parabens, phosphates, or phthalates inside the bottle. Plus, it comes in some really gorgeous packaging!

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Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.

Making friends as an adult can be hard, and if you ask me, nothing is harder than having to wade through small talk. Asking about work or how someone's day went makes every interaction feel like a first date. Of course, I want to know about work and how someone's day went — I just want to know more.

The key to making small talk more fun is figuring out what someone likes to talk about. Are they into pop culture? History or sports? Their faith? Once you crack the code on what they love to talk about, your conversation will instantly flow. Here are 11 questions you can ask a new friendthat make small talk feel bigger.

What are your hobbies?

Olga Kalinina/Unsplash

My favorite thing to do when talking to a new friend is to ask them how they spend their time. Because while school and work can have elements of responsibility or obligation, hobbies are pure fun! This is a good question to open your small talk with because it'll help you both loosen up and think about something you love to do. Plus, if you end up learning you share a hobby, you have even more to talk about! (As I discovered during my conversation with author Yulin Kuang!)

What's your favorite way to unwind?

Cora Pursley/Dupe

If you want your conversation to feel more relaxed, well, ask about relaxation! Whether your new friend does yoga, they spend a half hour doing skincare, or they read a book chapter every night, this question is sure to get a positive response. Speaking of books...

What are you watching or reading right now?

Netflix

There are so many movies, TV shows, and books out right now that you're both bound to be in the middle of one title or another. I can (and do) spend hours upon hours talking about my favorite TV shows. This is one small talk question that can make even the most awkward convo enjoyable.

What fictional character is closest to your personality?

Netflix

And if the TV conversation goes well, take it a step farther by asking which fictional character your new friend relates to the most. It'll give you a little more insight into their personality, and it's just plain fun.

Which Taylor Swift era are you in?

Jovan Vasiljević/Unsplash

If you and your acquaintance are both Taylor Swift fans, dive deep into your current eras. Whether you're in your Lover era or you're embracing the carefree chaos of 1989, this is the perfect excuse to queue up your Taylor Swift playlist.

Are you a morning person or a night person?

Aurora Camille/Dupe

If you're both morning people, you can bond over how nice it is to be the early birds, while two night people will have plenty to talk about when it comes to nightlife or the best places to look at the stars. And if you're opposites, you can give each other tips!

Are you a chocolate person, vanilla person, or neither?

Teejay/Pexels

I don't know about y'all, but I refuse to order ice cream unless it's chocolate. I love consistently knowing what to expect. Maybe your new friend feels the same way, or they prefer the spontaneity of ordering a new flavor every single time. Either way, it'll give you a look at their personality AND lead you to the ice cream store. It's a win-win.

What fruit are you?

Ula Kaniuch/Dupe

My current go-to question was born out of my interview with The Outsiders cast (in honor of character Cherry Valance). My current answer is strawberry for a few simple reasons: you know what you're in for, it can be super sweet, and on a good day, it's the same on the inside at the outside.

What's something you're proud of this year?

Ashley Diego/Dupe

It's crazy that we're halfway through 2024! Let the conversation take an exciting turn by remembering something fun, memorable, and beautiful.

What's one thing you want to check off your bucket list this year?

Jay Wennington/Dupe

But don't spend all your time talking about the past! Think ahead to the second half of the year and talk about a dream or goal you have. It can be as small as finally ordering frames for your gallery wall or as big as scoring a promotion.

Where do you want to travel?

Aleksandar Pasaric/Pexels

Summer's not over yet! Daydream about somewhere you'd like to see one day, like Italy or Seoul. And in the meantime, plan a day trip somewhere close by :).

Read up on 10 Thought-Provoking Questions To Know Close Friends More Intimately for more!

Lead image via Laura Du Vé/Refinery29 Australia for Getty Images

You've mastered the genius garlic-peeling hack, so it's time to put those mad skills into action with some delicious garlic recipes your friends and family are sure to love! Garlicky aioli dipping sauce or infused olive oilwith bread makes a tasty appetizer or snack. But how about some entrees to round out that menu? Garlic has a way of bringing out the best in both chicken and seafood, and it's the star ingredient in many savory sauces.

Here are 25 drool-worthy garlic dinner recipes that are just dripping with flavor.

Meredith Holser

Garlic Knots

Garlic knots make a great starter for any Italian dinner. These come together super easily, plus they're bursting with good garlic flavor. (via Brit + Co)

The Edgy Veg

One-Pan Tofu Veggie Bowls with Cashew Garlic Sauce

One pan meals will always be winners in our book. These vegan bowls are a great weeknight staple to make! (via The Edgy Veg)

Vikalinka

10-Minute Honey Garlic Shrimp

This quick shrimp dish rivals any takeout order. With sweetness from the honey, and a punch from the garlic, it's sure to be devoured in no time. (via Vikalinka)

Takes Two Eggs

15-Minute Garlic Chili Oil Noodles

These noodles look divine. They cook quickly, so you can get to eating faster. (via Takes Two Eggs)

Half Baked Harvest

Crockpot Carne Asada Tacos with Cilantro Lime Garlic Sauce

A creamy garlic-lime-cilantro sauce tops off these easy-to-make carne asada tacos. (via Half Baked Harvest)

Averie Cooks

Grilled Spicy Garlic Chicken

This garlicky chicken makes a great addition to pastas, sandwiches, and wraps. Prep some at the start of the week to make mealtime oh-so great and garlicky. (via Averie Cooks)

The First Mess

Simple Chickpea Soup with Rosemary & Garlic

If you need a delicious, heartwarming comfort meal, add this simple soup to your rotation. (via The First Mess)

Half Baked Harvest

Grilled Chicken Shawarma with Golden Butter Fries and Garlic Sauce

Grill this classic Middle Eastern-style street food with crispy golden fries and the best garlic sauce for an unexpected dinner in! (via Half Baked Harvest)

Salt & Lavender

Garlic Mushroom Pasta

The garlic butter parmesan sauce completes this simple meal of mushrooms, lemon, and your choice of pasta (though the pappardelle is a nice touch). (via Salt & Lavender)

Two Peas & Their Pod

Garlic Butter Grilled Vegetable Pizza

End your summer with a bang and make this delicious veggie pizza. Whether you're feeding your kids or sharing it with your besties, it's sure to be a hit. (via Two Peas & Their Pod)

The First Mess

Kale Arugula Butter Bean Salad with Mustard Tahini & Garlicky Bread Crumbs

This kale arugula butter bean salad is nourishing, hearty, flavorful, and ready to eat in 30 minutes. We're adding this to our summer dinner menu ASAP. (via The First Mess)

Barley & Sage

Creamy Spinach Lemon Orzo

Got 20 minutes? Then you can easily whip up this light yet cozy dish of fresh spinach, lemon zest, basil, and more than a hint of garlic. (via Barley & Sage)

Half Baked Harvest

8 Ingredient Garlic Butter Mushroom and Goat Cheese Fettuccine

Say hello to creamy, cheesy pasta perfection. Break this out for a hump-day dinner, because we could all use a carb-y pick-me-up, amiright? (via Half Baked Harvest)

Feel Good Foodie

Sheet Pan Lemon Garlic Salmon

One and done! Make a perfect weeknight meal with some lemon-garlic-parmesan seasoning on one sheet pan. Yum! (via Feel Good Foodie)

The First Mess

Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad with Creamy Garlic Dressing & Spiced Maple Walnuts

This vegan shaved Brussels sprouts salad is covered in a delicious creamy garlic dressing and topped with finely chopped, spiced maple walnuts. With so much flavor and texture in every bite, you'll be munching on this every day. (via The First Mess)

Cozy Cravings

Creamy Roasted Garlic Gnocchi

This comfort food starts with roasting a head of garlic and crisping up bacon to create the most delicious sauce. (via Cozy Cravings)

Culinary Hill

Honey Garlic Chicken

Whip up this chicken dinner in under an hour. With a sauce made of garlic, honey soy, Sriracha, and lime juice, it's a little sweet, a little savory, and just the right amount of spicy. (via Culinary Hill)

A Spicy Perspective

Chinese Chicken with Garlic Sauce

Skip the takeout and make your own garlic chicken at home with this yummy stir fry. (via A Spicy Perspective)

The First Mess

Stuffed Spaghetti Squash with Chickpeas & Garlicky Arugula Cream

Stuffed spaghetti squash with chickpeas and garlicky arugula cream is a low-fuss, super satiating, and flavorful vegan meal. (via The First Mess)

A Spicy Perspective

Honey Garlic Beef Tenderloin

Indulge in this delicious, juicy tenderloin for a five-star meal right at home. (via A Spicy Perspective)

Amanda Wilens

Vegan Sage & Garlic White Bean Soup

Plenty of garlic gives this vegan soup a savory boost. (via Amanda Wilens)

Salt & Lavender

Salmon Pasta with Creamy Garlic Sauce

This linguini dish is so impressive-looking, but it's easy-peasy to make. (via Salt & Lavender)

A Spicy Perspective

Garlic Lime Oven-Baked Salmon

Garlic, lime, and jalapeño really bring out the flavor of roasted salmon. (via A Spicy Perspective)

Culinary Hill

Cheese Tortellini in Garlic Butter Sauce

This is an easy, delicious recipe for cheese tortellini in a simple garlic butter sauce with basil. Keep it warm in a Crock Pot for a party appetizer, or serve it up in a big bowl for a comforting weeknight meal, made in 15 minutes or less. (via Culinary Hill)

Pink Owl Kitchen

Creamy Garlic Tuscan Salmon

We're suckers for simple, delicious dinners. This dish features pan-seared salmon in a flavorful, creamy sauce with spinach and tomatoes. (via Pink Owl Kitchen)

Now that your mouth is watering at the sight of these delicious garlic dinner recipes, be sure to follow us on Pinterest for more amazing dinner ideas! Join our newsletter for more recipes and inspiration and don't forget to check out our new cooking classes!

This post has been updated.

My boyfriend and I rang in the new year in Barcelona, arriving NYE night and randomly popping into the most fun tapas bar: Entrepanes Díaz in the L'Eixample district. We ate bombas con carne, tortilla española, and the first of many patatas bravas (fried potatoes with a paprika-rich tomato sauce and aioli, so good!).

I studied Spanish in Seville and Granada after college, so it was comforting to return to Spain and its siesta/tapas lifestyle. Many naps were had to accommodate late nights out. Even in January, the weather in Barcelona was mild and the food was fantastic everywhere. This summer, inspired by our trip, I made my own patatas bravas with a jamón board and tinto de verano, a summery drink of red wine, lemon soda and ice, or sangria's lighter, easier cousin. It was a perfect summer meal and so easy to pull together! Here are 10 recipes to try your own delicious spread inspired by Spain.

Easy Spanish-Inspired Cheese Board

Averie Cooks

There's something about a cheese board that feels like a party, even if it's just the two of you. This Spanish cheese and ham board is ready in minutes and serves as a fun twist to your usual weeknight or girl dinner. (via Averie Cooks)

Seared Tuna with Spanish Manzanilla Olive Tapenade

The Endless Meal

This bite may look super involved and fancy, but it's actually a super simple tapas recipe. Sear some fresh tuna before using it to top cucumber slices that pair with a delicious homemade tapenade. (via The Endless Meal)

Heirloom Tomato Gazpacho with Grilled Bread​

The Original Dish

It's tomato season and I'm so not sad about it. I love this vibrant, refreshing chilled soup that's creamy, tangy, and full of bright flavor. It's perfect for lunch or a surprising start to an entertaining meal. (via The Original Dish)

Spanish Tortilla With Burrata And Herbs

Half Baked Harvest

Tortilla española, or a Spanish omelette, is one of my favorite dishes and I've made it several times. Tieghan Gerard's recipe uses potatoes, eggs, fresh herbs, prosciutto, and burrata, yum! (via Half Baked Harvest)

Gambas al ajillo (Spanish Garlic Shrimp)

A Spicy Perspective

This is another tapas I love to order if it's on the menu. Packed with garlic, arbol chile, and sherry flavor, it's the perfect dish for a light summer meal. Here's the classic Spanish recipe from Curate Tapas Bar in Asheville, North Carolina. (via A Spicy Perspective)

Skillet Grilled Seafood And Chorizo Paella

Half Baked Harvest

I'm still dreaming about the vegetarian paella I ate in Barcelona at Taberna El Viti. It was the best I've ever had. This recipe uses a mix of chicken, chorizo and seafood, but you can leave them out to make a vegetarian version too! (via Half Baked Harvest)

Pan Con Tomate (Tomato Bread)

A Spicy Perspective

This popular snack in Spain often comes free with a glass of wine. It's a great way to enjoy the season's tomatoes with garlic, EVOO, and toasty bread. (via A Spicy Perspective)

Patatas Bravas

Vikalinka

This Spanish recipe is all about the paprika-rich sauce. Traditionally fried, Julia Frey of London-based Vikalinka uses an air fryer for the potatoes while I roasted them in lieu of frying or having an air fryer. Enjoy! (via Vikalinka)

Ham and Manchego Cheese Croquettes Recipe

La Tienda

My BF ordered these at probably every meal. It is a quintessential tapa – crispy on the outside and creamy in the middle with Serrano ham and Manchego cheese from Spain. (via La Tienda)

Baked Churro Chips

Brit + Co

For dessert, buck tradition by making some churros into chips. They’re easy to make in big batches, and they’re even easier to dip into a chocolate sauce, dulce de leche sauce or whipped cream! (via Brit + Co)

Join our newsletter for more recipe ideas, and check out our cooking and baking classes for more inspo!

Lead image via Vikalinka

Though summer is still summering, some people are already settling into the fall mentality. To be fair, there’s so many great things about fall time: hearty meals, cozy movie nights, Halloween, and of course, pumpkin spice. Starbucks’ PSL and other fall coffee drinks keep us running through the spooky season, so we're enthusiastically anticipating its return for 2024.

When will the PSL hit menus again? Read on for the answer.

Starbucks

Though we don’t have an official release date for Starbucks’ pumpkin spice quite yet, we expect the drop date to land around the same time it did last year. In 2023, the Starbucks fall menu came out on August 24. In 2022, it launched on August 30. In 2021, it hit stores and drive-thrus on August 24. Because the menu launches follow a pattern of dropping in late August every year, we predict it’ll come out around the same timeline for 2024!

Starbucks

But, Starbucks could always surprise us with an early drop date! They’ve been full of fun menu surprises in 2024 alone, from introducing all-new lavender drinks to debuting popping boba pearls for their summer menu.

Starbucks

Stay tuned here for official word on the PSL’s return! While we patiently wait, we’ll be craving more of their fall drinks, like the Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew and Apple Crisp Oat Milk Macchiato.

Subscribe to our newsletter to stay updated on new Starbucks menu drops!