Snacks are usually a game-day decision for me. I decide what to eat when the cravings hit. And my pantry is the one who decides if I give in or not. At the grocery store, I’m like Belle, ransacking the aisles, being picky about what to take off the shelves. At home, I’m the Beast, picking up anything in sight, unreasonably hangry, wondering why the world is against me. But for Movie Night, snacks are planned and strategized.
Snacks seem to be a growing part of the grocery store in recent years (thanks to lockdowns and stretchy waist pants). And these new(ish) foods have hit my couch in recent months, so I thought I’d share my fave new movie snacks.
Healthy snacks you can buy—the sweet, sweet packaged edition.
PurplesFul Snacking Ancient Grain Purple Kernel Popcorn in Jalapeño Cheddar
The label: Lots of healthy claims on this movie-night snack, including non-GMO (genetically modified organism), gluten-free and plant-based food, as well as made in Canada. An interesting tidbit on the packaging was about its profits, though: 25 per cent of profits “help kids in low income communities.”
What’s good: I love the light seasoning (for my fingers) that packs a punch (for my tastebuds). I also found that the jalapeño heat allowed me not to over-indulge with mindless snacking while streaming. The cheddar is subtle and complements the peppery flavour. It’s not as messy or as stinky as some other cheddar-flavoured popcorn. As for the charitable efforts, at press time, the popcorn company said it donates to Breakfast Club of Canada, Backpack Buddies and Hockey Diversity Alliance.
What’s not-so good: This has a kick. And not like barbecue-chips-kinda way. I actually love the burn, but if you’re not used to spice this one just might hit you in the back of the throat. If that’s you, try the sea salt flavour instead. Also, the popcorn isn’t actually purple, in case you were expecting that—ha!
Girls’ weekend snacks—taste-tested, editor-approved.
Phillips Iota Cerveza Dealcoholized Craft Beer
The label: It’s made of just a handful of ingredients, including water, malted barley, flaked corn, hops, yeast and sodium benzoate (preservative). It’s just 70 calories per can, and has no sugar and 15 grams of carbs.
What’s good: This is a light-tasting beer that isn’t overly hoppy and left my mouth with no aftertaste. Although I didn’t try it with lime, I’m sure it would still be very refreshing. If you like Corona, Bud Lite or, frankly, any light beer for that matter, you’ll appreciate this quenching zero-alcohol beer.
What’s not-so good: If you prefer your beer (with alcohol or not) complex in flavour and profile, it may not be for you.
Recipe: How to make TikTok-famous hwachae.
Impérial Popcorn Dill Pickle
The label: This movie-night snack is vegan, cholesterol- and gluten-free. And six cups is just 250 calories.
What’s good: Unlike other dill pickle snacks, this bag is full. It’s not half air and a sad amount of food. I liked that it was lightly seasoned but had a lot of flavour. No sticky fingers after. It’s also intensely flavoured dill pickle – it’s not shy. So pucker up.
What’s not-so good: Snacking on this definitely made me thirsty, so I had to look at the Nutrition Facts label for the sodium. Get ready… it has 520 milligrams per serving.
Protein meal planning that’s not boring.
Ohme! Freeze-Dried (Sliced) Strawberries
The label: This is like whole-food eating, except with different packaging. The makers say it’s nutrient-packed and offers 95 per cent of the fibre that fresh fruit has. One bag is just 45 calories, has no sugar added, is non-GMO and is made in good ol’ Canada.
What’s good: I like that it is just what it says. Dried strawberries. The flavour is a bit more intense than the juicy version, but it’s just as red and offers a bit of a crunch. The texture reminds me of cheese puffs with no residue on my fingers. I ate this while watching Scott Pilgrim vs. the World, which felt curiously appropriate – sweet, wholesome and unlike any other snack.
What’s not-so good: I did experience a bit of sticker shock. It’s the most expensive snack (based on serving) on this list. Don’t get me wrong; I get that there are way more whole strawberries than what the 12 gram bag suggests. But still.
Blend it like Bieber: The Erewhon Strawberry Glaze Skin Smoothie recipe.
Protein Candy Classic Fruit Sour
The label: This sweet snack has 14 grams of protein and 4 grams of fibre per bag.
What’s good: Often when foods are low in sugar, they taste low in sugar… or like a sweetener (which never tastes sweet to me, but like sweetener). These hit the spot when you want a chewy snack. I loved the sour cherry, strawberry, orange and lemon tangs that were easy to distinguish from each other in taste.
What’s not-so good: When I’m craving a sweet, sour treat, I want fun shapes and a squishy texture. These all have the same square shape and the texture was similar to the middle layer of a protein bar.
Blend it like Bieber: The Erewhon Strawberry Glaze Skin Smoothie recipe.
Collective Arts Good Time Gin & Tonic Cranberry & Thyme
The label: This limited edition flavour has zero alcohol, is just 20 calories (it may as well be water!), and is just made from water, cranberry and lime juices from concentrate, and juniper berry and thyme extracts. Plus, 1% of revenue to support emerging artists worldwide.
What’s good: The can’s gorgeous graphics had me put my glass back in the cupboard. I love how low-calorie it is, so I can indulge in salty popcorn and quench my thirst. If you like cranberry, then you’ll love this flavour. Open a can, and it’s all that you’ll smell.
What’s not-so good: As someone who loves the taste of gin and smell of juniper, I wanted more juniper and less cranberry. Call me Scrooge McGin.
How to stop eating potato chips.
Fancy Cocktail Nuts Marcona and Valencia Almonds Sea Salt
The label: Meant to be snacked on with a glass of something special, including a fortified wine, a red, a white or flute of bubbles. It’s completely vegan and contains blanched and unblanched almonds, sunflower oil and, of course, sea salt.
What’s good: These are like potato chips, in that you can’t just eat one or two nuts. These tasted extra special, with the texture of salt grains and smooth coating of oil. I also liked how the two different almonds varied in crunch.
What’s not-so good: I feel this way about all nuts, tbh. I wish I could eat nuts like I eat popcorn, but alas the caloric density makes nuts just way too filling to enjoy until the end of the bag.
Healthy snacks that taste healthy—and some that don’t (in a good way).
Craig’s Cookies The Classic Chocolate Chip Cookie
The label: The site isn’t super clear on what to expect when you try one of these cookies. It just says: “Straight up chocolate chip. Yum!” But it’s safe to guess by looking at the pictures that these are not health food.
What’s good: The sweet and rich chocolate flavour. The pull-apart gooey texture. This is a cheat treat that’s well worth it.
What’s not-so good: I only wish the website told me more. What kind of chocolate? Is it made with real butter? How big is one cookie? Serious cookie questions here. (FYI: One is about the size of the palm of your hand.)