Crisp air, sweater weather and cozy cold mornings — fall is finally returning and back with a lineup of pumpkin-packed treats. But instead of the overly sugary snacks that people usually reach for this time of year, these more nutritious and seasonal treats will leave you feeling good.
As stores like Whole Foods and Sprouts stock their shelves with autumnal products, the following five snacks are worth tossing in your cart to enjoy during this cozy season.
Purely Elizabeth: Pumpkin Cinnamon Granola
Purely Elizabeth, known for its nutrient dense granolas, is launching new seasonal flavors. They released a pumpkin cinnamon flavor that perfectly captures the essence of fall: these crunchy clusters are pumpkin infused and sweet without being over the top. The granolas are made with high quality ingredients, free from refined sugar and gluten. They are a delicious choice to snack on straight from the bag or as a topping on yogurt. It costs $7.99 for a bag, which is more on the expensive side, but worth it for the quality of ingredients.
Rating: 9/10
MUSH: Pumpkin Pie Overnight Oats
MUSH Overnight Oats added a limited edition flavor to their collection: pumpkin pie. These ready-to-go oats are convenient for a quick breakfast, pre-practice snack or late night treat. They taste like pumpkin pie in a cup: creamy, sweet and warmly spiced. The oats are chewy and soft, and sweetened with dates – a natural sweetener allowing you to feel satisfied after eating them. Each cup has an inspirational message after peeling off the top that gives you a new outlook into the day, for example: “Tomorrow’s success begins today.” It is $2.00 a cup, and while it’s cheaper to make at home, MUSH is perfect for grabbing on the go or picking up at the store when short on time.
Rating: 8.5/10
Undercover: Dark Chocolate + Pumpkin Spice Quinoa Crisps
The Undercover chocolate and pumpkin spice quinoa crisps are a match made in heaven, where crunchy meets cozy, making them an irresistible snack. The quinoa adds a slightly chewy texture to the rich chocolate, dusted with spices. With protein and fiber from quinoa, antioxidants from chocolate and 5 grams of sugar per serving, the crisps are an indulgence that fuels the body. This bag is $5.99, which is a reasonable price for the amount inside. One downside is that the pumpkin spice flavor could be stronger, as the other flavors are slightly overpowering.
Rating: 7.5/10
Skinny Dipped: Pumpkin Spice Almonds
The Skinny Dipped pumpkin spice almonds have a creamy pumpkin coating rolled in a blend of cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves. The sprinkle of salt enhances the spices and brings out the natural sweetness of the almonds. They are gluten-free, contain plant protein and have no artificial colors or flavors. At $5.99, they cost more than your average bag of roasted almonds, but are worth it for the fall flavor and spirit. Easy to pack and convenient, these almonds are the ultimate fall essential.
Rating: 8.5/10
Larabar: Pumpkin Pie Bar
The popular bar brand Larabar, known for its short and simple ingredient list, came out with a seasonal speciality — a pumpkin pie bar. Made with dates, cashews, pumpkin, apples and a mix of spices, it is a protein-packed snack, perfect for a quick munch between classes.. The bar has a subtle sweetness from the dates, so don’t expect it to taste like a dessert. They are chewy and dense, gluten and dairy free, plant-based, have no refined sugar and packed with 4 grams of fiber. At $28 a pack for 16 bars, it’s a bit on the pricey side, but the simple ingredients make it worth the splurge.
Rating : 7.5/10
