Product Watch: The good, the bad, and the yucky

Doctor Kracker (various products)

They have more than five ingredients and they’re not locally produced. Otherwise, these satisfying, certified-organic crackers from a Texas-based company are right in line with modern thoughts about improving the way we eat. Ingredients in the Klassic 3 Seed cracker, for instance, start with organic whole-wheat flour, move on to the likes of organic sunflower seeds and flax, and have an enjoyable hard crunch. The graham crackers — made from organic spelt flour, sugar and butter — are sweet and cinnamony enough to capture a kid’s thumbs-up.

Bottom line: Like Ak Maks? You’ll love Doctor Kracker.

Dr. Kracker Snack Chips

Dallas-based Dr. Kracker now offers one-ounce, grab-and-go bags of Snack Chips! Perfect for school lunches and after-school snacks, these organic flatbread crackers are made with whole grains and topped with flavorful seeds. Rolled slightly thinner and cut a little smaller (great for smaller hands and mouths!) these portable Snack Chips come in Klassic 3-Seed, Seeded Spelt, Seedlander, Pumpkin Cheddar, and Sunflower Cheddar. Each package provides approximately 4 grams of fiber, 5 grams of protein, and one-third of the recommended daily servings of whole grains. Little ones and big ones alike also will love their Krispy Grahams - packaged in a fun “train” box! www.DrKracker.com

Smart Eating at Work — Part 3

Marissa Lippert, a registered dietician, has been doing some guest posts over the past two weeks on smart eating at work. As Part 3 of this series, I have asked her to put together a shopping list, including some of her favorite brands, for the foods she has recommended in those earlier posts.

Here’s her list:

Top 10 all-around picks, in no specific order, to stash at your desk or in your office fridge

1. Raw, unsalted nuts (almonds, pistachios, cashews, walnuts, pecans)
2. Kashi TLC granola bars, Gnu Flavor & Fiber bars, Lara bars (or check out youbars.com and create your own)
3. Low-Fat Laughing Cow Cheese, Coach Farm Goat Cheese or organic part-skim string cheese
4. Fage 0% Greek Yogurt or Stoneyfield Farms Low-Fat Organic Yogurt
5. Wasa, Finn Crisp, Kavli or Dr. Kracker wholegrain crackers
6. Organic peanut, almond or cashew butter (any organic/natural brand will do, or get the freshly ground stuff at your local Whole Foods Market or health food store or through FreshDirect.com)
7. McCann’s Irish Steel Cut Oatmeal or Arrowhead Mills Organic Original Instant Oatmeal
8. Kashi GoLean or Heart to Heart Cereal; Uncle Sam’s Cereal; Bear Naked Granola (watch portions!)
9. Sweet Riot Chocolate Covered Cacao Nibs (for the occasional afternoon chocolate craving)
10. Good Health Half-Naked Popcorn or Glenny’s Soy Crisps (1.3oz – small bag)

“The Big Game” Diet Cheat Sheet

The biggest problem with all these dips is the company they keep — namely crackers and chips. Your best bet is to pick 100 percent whole-grain crackers with very few ingredients and no added sugar. We like Dr. Krackers (www.drkracker.com)…

Ten Snacks for Your Super Bowl Party

Crackers

Face it: Ritz Crackers may be popular, but they’re pretty wimpy. If you want a cracker with some personality, try Doctor Kracker — they’re organic, artisan-baked and closer in taste and texture to a European flatbread. (”Uber Delicious! Uber Crunch!” the company says.) Varieties include “Klassic 3 Seed” and “Pumpkin Seed Cheddar.” Available for around $19 to $22 per case (six seven-ounce packages).

Nutritional snack foods for your family

It’s oftentimes tempting to fill up on traditional snack foods, such as cookies and potato chips. However, you can easily provide your family with nutritional alternatives instead, such as fruit or one of these wonderful snack items. These snacks are great for kids’ lunchboxes and just to have around the house to munch on.

Dr. Kracker Snack Chips and Crackers

Dr. Kracker bakes a line of whole grain (whole white wheat or spelt), organic flatbread crackers that are topped with flavorful seeds. They recently launched one-ounce, grab-and-go bag of Snack Chips are very popular for school lunches and snacks. Dr. Kracker Snack Chips come in five flavors (Klassic 3-Seed, Seeded Spelt, Seedlander, Pumpkin Cheddar, and Sunflower Cheddar) and each package provides approximately 4 grams of fiber, 5 grams of protein, and 120 calories. Dr. Kracker also launched its new foodservice product, the Snack Flat, an individually-wrapped cracker for soup and salad bars, schools, etc. You can get more information and find out how to order these great tasting, healthy crackers and chips from drkracker.com.

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The Whole Truth About Grains

There are whole-grain treats for snacks, whether you crave a salty pretzel or you need to soothe a sweet tooth. Triscuits and Sun Chips are made with whole grains. So are many of Snyder’s of Hanover pretzels, tortilla strips and chips, as well as many snacks from Kashi, Health Valley, Mary’s Gone Crackers and Dr. Kracker.

Doctor Kracker Klassic 3-Seed Flatbread and Snacker

What We Liked Best: The “au-natural”-ness of these crackers is great, and the ingredients list is practically saintly. They are good alone as a snack, as a base for peanut butter or low-fat cheese, or even as a dipper, instead of chips.

Snack Attack! Doctor Kracker Snack Chips

Doctor Kracker could be a quack, but we’d still admire his handiwork. Not only are the seven toothsome flatbreads and old-fashioned graham crackers from this Texas snack company studded with stuff that’s great for you - seeds, nuts and whole grains - they’re heavy on flavor, too. But don’t trust us: Grab a 99-cent snack pack (we recommend the pumpkinseed and cheddar) from a natural foods store or a deli near you.

Doctor Kracker Pumpkin Cheddar Snack Chips

Taste	Value	Health	Ingredients	Preparation	Appearance	Packaging	Total
25	14	13	14	n/a*	4	3	83

It’s time to think Pumpkins! This company prides itself in making organic cracker snacks that are also packed with whole grains. Pumpkin seeds are one of the most flavorful and nutritious seeds around. The mixture of cheddar cheese makes a great combination. These extremely crunchy little snacks also contain 4 g of fiber. A surprisingly nice flavor for such a healthy little snack. Also available in Klassic 3 Seed, Sunflower Cheddar, Seedlander, and Seeded Spelt. Retails for $0.99/1.0-oz bag.