“Who says indulgent can’t be healthy?” ask the makers of Sahale Snacks. And there is no better way to describe their nut-based snack packs: indulgent and healthy.
My healthiest snack intentions are sometimes derailed. Bananas and nuts are great, but after a month or so – YAWN. Sahale Snacks provides something a little more exotic to fill your tummy and your taste buds. Plus, Sahale has a wide diversity of snacks, which is great for anyone who has ever been in a snack rut.
My favorite is the Soledad Almond Blend – which has a serious cayenne punch to it, but I also really like the Socorro Macadamia Nut Blend – a smoother, more savory blend of macadamia nuts, hazelnuts, papaya, and mango.
Stats (Soledad Almond Blend):
- Serving Size – 1 ounce
- Calories – 130
- Grams of fat – 9 grams
- Sodium – 60mg
- Dietary fiber – 3 grams
- Sugars – 7 grams
- Protein – 4 grams
The Ingredients:
- Almonds: protein, vitamin E and a crunch.
- Flax Seeds : omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid; big on protein and fiber.
- Dates: fat-free, cholesterol free sweetness with energy from carbs, plus a good source of antioxidants and fiber.
- Balsamic: low-calorie, fat free flavor that may help boost calcium absorption and aid digestion.
- Cayenne: Mainly here for the kick, but in larger quantities has been suggested to improve blood flow.
Pros
Taste, nutrition, and diversity. This is a great addition to your snack regimen. The nuts are healthy and add a good crunch factor, while the dried dates add a sweet and chewy counterbalance. Plus, the flavors are really unique for a snack, balsamic vinegar and cayenne aren’t your typical snack ingredients. I also really like their ingredient list, which other than the main ingredients I listed above, only includes tapioca syrup, organic evaporated cane juice, organic white distilled vinegar, sea salt, and honey; a list that is not too complicated and doesn’t include anything I wouldn’t usually eat.
The nutrition stats are something I am happy with too. Not too many calories (considering it’s a nut snack), good amount of fiber and protein, and low in carbohydrates and sodium too. Seven grams of the carbohydrates come from sugar, but that’s still low enough for me. This looks pretty darn good.
Cons
This is a rich snack –in terms of taste, fat content, and price. This is definitely a gourmet investment for an afternoon snack. It costs about $5.00 for a 5 oz snack pack at health food or gourmet shops. But, that does include five servings, each one ounce. A dollar a serving isn’t so bad, but I tend to eat half the bag, and at 130 calories per ounce, that’s 325 calories, 200 of which are from fat, that’s a lot – but at least they are those good omega fats found in nuts!
Conclusion
It certainly feels like an indulgence to snack on such sweet fruits and delicate nut mixes, but one that is well worth it. You can get Sahale Snacks at most high-end health food stores, or see their website to get them online. Although I really enjoy these snack mixes, their high price makes them a rare treat. I’d love to serve something like this at a dinner party, but I think for now I will consider them an occasional, spicy snack solution.
Here is a list of their other five snack combinations:
- Dauphine Walnuts with blueberries, banana, coconut, ginger, and lavender
- Ksar Pistachios with sesame seeds, pepitas, fig, and Moroccan harissa
- Sing Buri Cashews with pineapple, peanuts, lemongrass, and mild Chinese chili
- Socorro Macadamia Nuts hazelnuts, mango, papaya, and southwestern chipolite
- Soledad Almonds with apple, flax seeds, dates, balsamic vinegar, and red pepper
- Valdosta Pecans with sweet cranberries, black pepper, and orange zest