I'm back with another fantastic snack that I've recently had the pleasure of stuffing my face with in every possible instance. As you may or may not know by now, I like things with flavor, things that can kick you in the mouth a little bit with a spicy, sweet combination, yet keep your belly full and waist trim at the same time. I don't come across store bought snacks that provide this unique feeling too often, yet today I'm pleased to say that a new food has graced my plate with its presence and given me something I truly enjoy. They're made by a company called Our Daily Eats, and are named creatively "Spicy Maple Pepitas."
So what are these things exactly? Well, they're pumpkin seeds to be exact. Small ones, that are spiced up with cayenne pepper and maple syrup. If that doesn't sound like a combination made in heaven, I don't know what does. And as far as taste goes, these things really hit the spot. They're exactly what you'd expect, spicy and interesting, yet deliciously sweet at the same time. If you're not a huge spice fan, don't worry, these things don't burn, they just let you know they're there with a nice little twinge of flame. And the maple syrup...well coming from Vermont you can already tell I'm a fan. I love maple syrup, and I truly believe it is a PERFECT addition to these spicy little seeds. Together they create a very unique taste that I believe you must taste ASAP.
But what about the actual nutritional profile of these seeds? Well, as you know, I don't eat food that's not healthy/beneficial toward my body in some significant way, much less write a review on it. And I'm pleased to announce that the nutritional profile on these pepitas is AWESOME! Let's look a little closer, shall we?
Ingredients: This is the first thing that caught my eye. There aren't any chemical/artificial additives! In fact, the only ingredients are: Pumpkin seeds, maple syrup, cayenne, and sea salt. That's FANTASTIC! Seriously, they don't even have any artificial sweeteners, or even added sugar (other than the maple syrup, which is considered a purely natural sweetener that is MUCH better for you than the granulated stuff). Normally if you see salt on an ingredient list, you need to be wary of sodium content, but NOT THIS TIME! We'll get more into that later. But like I said, this list is short and sweet, and completely fulfills the claim "100% natural" that's boasted on the package. PERFECT!
Caloric content: Now as we know, nuts and seeds tend to be very calorie dense, but they're also quite filling, so you're unlikely to go hog wild on such a product. 1/4 cup of this product has 125 calories, which is quite managable and is a PLENTY decent serving size if you're looking for a quick, midday snack.
Added Nutritional benefits: As the package states, pumpkin seeds are quite rich with unsaturated fats and Omega-3 fatty acids, which you can pretty much always use more of. They're extremely heart healthy, and lower your risk for heart disease or other cardiovascular health ailments if consumed on a regular basis. They also help lubricate your joints and keep things sliding smoothly, keeping you mobile as age creeps onto all of us. Pumpkin seeds are also very rich is minerals such as iron, zinc, and manganese, and have good helpings of vitamins C and E.
Sodium content: Now usually you have to be wary of packaged nuts and seeds for their sky high sodium counts, but not this time. In fact, per serving, there are only 85 mg of sodium, which is EXTREMELY low compared to most other similar products. There's just enough salt there to support the delicious flavor, without causing that sodium level to skyrocket. Awesome!
Entire Nutritional Information:
Serving Size: 1/4 Cup
Calories: 125
Total Fat: 5 g
Saturated Fat: 1 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Cholesterol: 0 g
Sodium: 85 mg
Total Carbohydrate: 15 g
Dietary Fiber: 0 g
Sugars: 3 g
Protein: 1 g
So would I recommend this product? ABSOLUTELY! They're ridiculously delicious and are a great tool to either trim down or bulk up, or even just maintain your weight. They're very healthy, and are a refreshingly powerful flavor compared to most other bland health food. Just watch the serving size and you're golden. Excuse me while I go and have another handful...
Eat healthy, stay creative, and as always, GOOD LUCK!
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