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When you’re on the run (and aren’t we all always?), you need easy, tasty, and healthy sources of energy to keep you going. In other words, you need good snacks and drinks. So we spent months trying everything we could get our hands on. We’ve found granola that boosts mineral absorption, a coffee alternative that actually works, and more. For expert insight, we consulted May ZhuA registered dietitian in Chicago who shared his science-backed thoughts.
Looking for more emotional products? Check out our full list of Good For You Award winners Here.
Daily drinks
Best soda alternative: Olipop
Love soda, but love your body more? Same. This high-fiber stand does the trick with less sugar than traditional sodas (but just as much fizz). It comes in nostalgic flavors like vintage cola, cream soda and classic grape. Use code THESKIMM15 for 15% off.
Best Tea: Loose Leaf Tea
“Whole leaf tea is actually one of the most proven beverages for antioxidants and cognitive support,” says Zhu, who notes that it’s a clean and easy option. Pro tip: buy flavor packs based on vibes (our favorite is “comfort teas”).
The best alternative to coffee: Neuro Magnesi-Om juice of the month
Switch up your morning cup with this brain-boosting alternative. It is full of magnesium L-theonate, which supports short-term memory, neuroplasticity and cognitive ability. Later, the caffeine kicks in.
Best Matcha: More than Matcha
Alert your social media, there’s a new game in town. It’s smooth and balanced, with fresh, earthy undertones. Plus, it has all the benefits that make matcha a must-have, such as sustained energy, antioxidants, and immune support.
Best Mocktail: Sensori
Whether you want to relax or unwind, Sensori has no alcohol for you. Their drinks are made with botanicals, nootropics, and adaptogens, all designed to help you feel good naturally. We congratulate you on this.
Sweet snacks
Best Granola: Go Snacking Raw Granola
A bowl of granola, but make it portable. Our expert loves this product for its sprouted grains, which he says are great for digestion and mineral absorption. We love that they come in different flavors – all of them are, as the kids say, fire.
Best Dessert: Protein Pints
Swap your mint chip for a low-sugar version that has 30 grams of protein per pint. This better-for-you version of the frozen dessert contains all natural ingredients, 85% less sugar than regular ice cream, and contains nine essential amino acids, too.
Best Yogurt: Icelandic Provisions Salted Caramel and Banana Skyr Extra Creamy
We’ve always thought of yogurt as some kind of black magic—something so delicious that it’s actually good for you? — and this one takes the cake. It has 11 grams of protein and only 10 grams of sugar, and its active cultures will keep your gut as happy as possible.
Best Peanut Butter Chocolate Bars: Justin’s Super Dark PB Bars
We guess it’s possible to live without peanut butter cups — but frankly, we’re not interested. Made with organic dark chocolate and organic peanuts, these are the perfect version to offer you a truly elite sweet treat.
Best Kettle Corn: Popsmith’s Corn Stuffing
DIY movie night just got better. Pop some popcorn at home, then add this topping — it’s perfectly sweet and salty — no match for kettle corn.
Delicious snacks
Best Hummus: Ithaca Hummus
The hummus formula – chickpeas + tahini = fiber, plant protein and healthy fats for sustained energy – remains unmatched. This A+ version has a simple ingredient list, minus the preservatives or stabilizer ingredients, and is delicious to boot.
Best Puffs: The Lesser Evil
Sometimes a person just needs a snack box. These are certified organic and made with organic virgin coconut oil and avocado oil. The ingredient list is small, but the flavor is big – the kind of resistance we’re looking for.
Best Chips: Graza Potato Chips
Did you hear the news? Graza now makes chips and they are, predictably, delicious. While they’re still a potato chip, they’re made with the high-quality extra virgin olive oil we know and love, which makes them a little better for you.
Best Pickles: Wickles Pickles
As a stand-alone snack, pickles are wildly appreciated – when you’re hungry and out of ideas, grabbing a cold juice is often just the thing. These are perfectly salty and have flavors like chill’n’dill, dirty dill and super spicy wicked hula.
Best Peanut Butter Spread: One Trick Peanut Butter Pony
Peanut butter is a very healthy snack when it’s done right. Done right = hydrogenated oils or added sugar and an ingredient list that is just “alcohol and sea salt”. This version of One Trick Pony checks all our boxes.
Kitchen gadgets and small appliances
Best Waffle Maker: Dash Mini Waffle Maker
The best way to make healthy waffles at home without taking up all of your backyard space? This little guy. It cooks 4-inch snack waffles on a dual-cooker and looks pretty cool in performance. Pro tip: Make small batches of waffles to freeze and take on the go.
Best Drink Mixer: Visp Elixir Mixer 2
Protein shake drinkers, total. This is a small gadget to way to get your drinks smooth, minus the mess. Just add your powder, pull and voila – you’re ready to go, perfect drink in hand. We also love that this doubles as a hard water bottle.
The best coffee grinder: Mr. Coffee Cafe Grinder 18-Cup Automatic Burr Grinder
“Classics are classics for a reason” really applies here. Mr. Coffee (you know him) is still kicking, and this little grinder has 18 settings, a bean hopper that holds up to 8 ounces of coffee beans, and a sleek design that looks great on the counter.
Best panturkist: Our place Titan is always panturkist
The first rule of most home cooking? Stock up on great tools. It definitely fits. It is free of coatings or PFAS, easy to clean and safe for high heat. This is where home cooking comes in.
Best blender: Nutribullet Turbo
The season of sweets has arrived. Are you ready? We love that this 1,000-watt blender can handle tough stuff like seeds, nuts, and greens, and the bowl on the bottom keeps it firmly in place while we blend.
Foods
Best grocery service: HelloFresh
Sometimes it seems like there are more food delivery services than stars in the sky, and who can choose between them? We love HelloFresh because of the wide range of special diet options (they even have a smart calorie plan with around 650 calories) and the variety of really tasty meals to choose from.
Best Oatmeal: Pure Elizabeth Oatmeal
“Instant Oatmeal” may suggest a mixture that is both too wet and too dry and has almost no nutritional value. This brand is exceptional. It’s a really nutritious oatmeal and comes in varieties with plant-based protein or superfood grains like flax, chia, quinoa, and amaranth.
Best Frozen Dumplings: MiLà Dumplings
Grab dinner, but make it healthy (and much cheaper). This brand makes stir-fries and soup dumplings that rival your favorite spot with high-protein flour and locally sourced ingredients.
Lunch Box – Friendly Snacks
Best Fruit Snacks: Baby Fruit (Strawberries, Bananas, Apples)
An easy and fun way to get more fruit into your kids’ diet, they only have one ingredient: the fruit itself. They’re pleasantly crunchy, and come in fun, backpack-friendly bags.
Best Granola Bites: MadeGood Granola Bites
If you love someone with food allergies, these are your new best friends. They are free of the top nine allergens and make a delicious and safe breakfast or lunch.
Best Bar: This is it. Bars
Another version approved by the children entered the chat. They look and taste like the fruit peels we ate every day in the 90s, but their only ingredients are…fruit. RIP fruit list.
Best Puffs: Little Spoon Stellar Puffs
Our reviewer found that Little Spoon does a great job of making baby food with cleaner ingredients than you’ll find anywhere else. These special puffs are made with white cheddar cheese and pumpkin and contain avocado oil and quinoa. Their only allergen is milk, making them a great choice for kids with peanut or sesame allergies.
Best Crackers: Simple Mills Crackers
These crackers are made with almond flour, which our experts say has more protein and healthy fats than wheat crackers. These are also gluten-free, so they’re safe for children who suffer from celiac disease (although not suitable for anyone with a nut allergy).
