Latest news with #CrispPower
USA Today
01-08-2025
- Health
- USA Today
Kindling Protein Pretzels do the job, even if they're a bit boring
Protein snacks are having a whole moment, and I'm here for that. In recent years, there's been a swell of healthier-for-you chips, crackers, even donuts that promise the protein to provide gains and minimal calories. Crisps made out of chicken? Wilde's got you. Tortilla chips and peanut butter cups? That's Quest's purview. Pretzels? Well, Crisp Power made a pretty solid impression last year. Now, here comes Kindling. Kindling Protein Pretzels offer the traditional twists you'd get from Snyder's or Rold Gold. Except inside that 120 to 130 calorie serving size is eight to nine grams of protein. It comes in a modest variety of flavors (or "flavours," as the website notes even though the founder is from Nashville). It's ready to go in snack form and looks generally appealing. Let's see what we've got. Note: There is also a dill pickle flavor. Er, "flavour." I absentmindedly ate my lone bag before realizing there weren't any more. It was tangy, slightly sour and extremely dill. Pretty solid! But I don't have enough data for a real review. Honey Mustard: B- Dumping the bag onto the plate uncorks roughly 20 small knots, solidly dusted in dark yellow honey mustard powder and big crystals of salt. The smell is sweeter than it is spicy, but there's a small, lingering protein powder musk lurking underneath. Despite what looks like a proper heap of flavor, Kindling comes up short when it comes to making sure the honey mustard lasts through each bite. It starts off crisp with a solid sweet tang -- the honey outweighs the mustard, for sure -- but after it wears away you're left with a slightly bland pretzel that's left to fight against the chickpea protein powder with which it's been infused. The texture is pretty basic -- not as layered and crisp as Crisp Power or as soft and crumbly as Moore Crunch. Kindling doesn't go above and beyond with its offering. You're getting regular pretzels with a low calorie count and useful amount of protein (130 and eight grams, respectively). But they do it well enough to be worth a few bags. Sea Salt: B- Yep. These are pretzels, all right. That's pretty much it. Salt, bread, crunch. If you like regular pretzels, this will feel a lot like a Snyder's production. Not much to say about that other than they taste like pretzels, even with that extra protein inside. Garlic Parmesan: A- Opening the bag is a vital reminder. If you *can* put garlic on something, you *should* put garlic on something. These smell more appealing than Kindling's other options, even if there's a bit of a stale tinge to the parmesan sprinkled across each twist. The power of Italian staples goes a long way here. While the other varieties are underseasoned, these are full-bodied with tangy flavors that linger through the end of each bite. While there's no doubt my breath is a borderline tragedy after a few of these. It's well worth it. Garlic Parmesan serves as proof Kindling can make a compelling snack as long as it's willing to get a bit creative and find flavors that extend the appeal of otherwise boring pretzels. The honey mustard wasn't enough and the dill pickle was basic. But this cacophony of flavors settles together to give you a garlic bread vibe in a significantly healthier package. And garlic bread, it must be noted, rules. This was a bit of a big swing, but this and a punched-up honey mustard would serve Kindling well. There's potential here, even if the current lineup is a bit boring. Would I eat it instead of a Hamm's? This a pass/fail mechanism where I compare whatever I'm drinking or eating to my baseline cheap beer. That's the standby from the land of sky-blue waters, Hamm's. So the question to answer is: on a typical day, would I take a bag of Kindling Protein Pretzels over a cold can of Hamm's? A different vibe, certainly. But if we're talking a one-to-one comparison... gimme the Hamm's. This is part of FTW's Beverage of the Week series. Here, we mostly chronicle and review beers, but happily expand that scope to any beverage that pairs well with sports. Yes, even cookie dough whiskey.
Fox News
28-01-2025
- Health
- Fox News
Healthy, satisfying alternatives to potato chips: 'You'll adjust'
Ever reached into a bag of potato chips and found yourself unable to put them down? There's a psychological reason for this behavior — but there are healthier alternatives that can satisfy the same cravings. "When under stress, the body releases cortisol, which then increases desire for comfort food, such as sweets and salty foods," Jonathan Alpert, a New York-based psychotherapist and author, told Fox News Digital. "These foods then lead to a feeling of satiation or even indulgence, providing a temporary reprieve from negative or difficult emotions, such as stress and anxiety," he said. Performance coach and wellness expert Jacob Zemer, also in New York, shared some of his favorite alternatives to potato chips – snacks that are salty and satisfying, but with a side of added nutrients. "There's nothing wrong with potatoes, and that's a common misconception," Zemer said. "The problem comes when you start to fry things. Then you're adding fat plus carbohydrates — which is a recipe for diabetes." Potato chips, he said, "basically are saturated fat, combining refined carbohydrates." Zemer added, "Potato chips are highly palatable and that's the term we use to describe them on a nutrition level. And that happens when you have something that has both carbs and fats in it. And [potato chips] are very savory because of that salty element." When seeking alternatives to chips, Zemer said he looks for products that pass the "protein test" – having at least 10 grams of protein for every 100 calories. In particular, Zemer counts himself as a fan of Quest Chips and Legendary Chips, both of which pass this test, he said. Zemer also looks for salty foods that contain a high level of fiber, which helps create a full feeling. "You're less likely to binge on those," he said of those types of foods. "There's a great pretzel alternative that's found currently at Costco," Zemer also told Fox News Digital. "It's called Crisp Power. And they actually have high protein and high fiber, and they're essentially pretzels." In addition, Zemer said he recommends what he called "single-ingredient foods" that can be salted, such as edamame. "Only keep foods that are good options in your house." These are a "great solution" that can satisfy a salty craving without empty calories, he said. For more Lifestyle articles, visit While making dietary changes can be a challenge, Zemer said he encourages people to hang in there when adjusting to a new situation. He shared his three biggest tips for adopting new habits, especially with food. "I think the biggest thing is to find something in the meantime that actually satiates that salty craving," he said. Once that item is found, then get rid of the unhealthy options. "The reality is, over time, you'll adjust to it." "Only keep foods that are good options in your house," Zemer said. "Don't bring the potato chips home. Don't bring them with you. Give yourself the options." The third piece of advice, he said, is to stick with it. "Taste buds shed about every 30 days," he said. "So, even if at first you're not in love with something, the reality is, over time, you'll adjust to it."
