Special thanks to Vlasic for making this post possible. All opinions are my own!
I am always looking for a great healthy snack alternative for myself and the kids. Having something that is easy, delicious, and great for everyone in the family to enjoy is important. Busy moms just don’t have the time to prepare a different snack option for every person in the house. At least, I know I sure don’t! Pickles aren’t just a side for your sandwich, they are a healthy snack alternative that everyone loves. When you’re hit by that craving for a salty snack, go to the fridge, instead of the pantry.
Ways To Use Pickles As A Healthy Snack Alternative
Just a plain pickle. There just isn’t any better healthy low-calorie and satisfying snack like a pickle. There are dill pickles, sweet pickles, slices, kosher baby pickles, and even spears to choose from. Whether you eat them with a fork, or wrap in a napkin and take tiny bites a plain pickle cold and straight from the jar is the ideal crunchy and salty snack. Sweet pickles also offer a great combination of that sweet and sour flavor that we are often craving. Around here, pickles rarely make it very far from the jar before being munched on. They certainly don’t last an entire photo shoot… SMH
Pickles for dipping – Pickles are a great device for dipping. If you are wanting a healthy snack alternative, mix some ranch seasoning with nonfat Greek yogurt to create a perfect ranch flavored dip. Another great use for pickles is dipping in hummus. This is a much healthier option than chips and dip, and very versatile. You can even experiment with dipping them with refried beans, salsa, or any of you favorite salad dressings.
Oven “fried” pickles – I, along with many people I know, enjoy a fresh batch of fried pickles. That said, frying pickles kinda negates the healthy aspect, right? Instead of frying, you can easily coat pickle slices in panko bread crumbs with some season salt and bake until crispy. These are great with the ranch dip mentioned above.
Pickle “sandwiches”- Instead of using bread for a sandwich, why not use pickle slices? Place low-fat cheese and lean luncheon meat between pickle slices to create a fun snack that is hearty, healthy, and high in protein to keep kids satisfied longer. It also works great for those who are on a carbohydrate limited diet.
Oh, and don’t dump the pickle juice! Pickle juice is full of electrolytes, so you can drink it!
It is easy to feel trapped when you are trying to eat a healthier diet. Whether you are limiting a specific category, or you are just watching calories, pickles are a great healthy snack alternative. They are versatile, affordable, and of course everyone loves them. That is exactly what a busy mom needs when she is trying to feed herself and her family the right foods throughout the day. Vlasic pickles offer unlimited crunchy satisfaction and are a healthier alternative to chips. With low calories, carbs and fats, you can feel good about munching on Vlasic pickles rather than traditional salty snack options. With a variety of flavor options there’s a pickle for everyone.
Find great pickle recipes on Vlasic’s site and learn more about Vlasic by following Vlasic on Facebook and @VlasicStork on Twitter.
