My favorite kind of cake? Carrot cake. It’s moist, colorful, and you get to sneak in a serving of veggies (carrots, of course) plus protein (from the nuts). You obviously can’t have cake every day, but you can have the next best thing: Carrot cake bars!

Coconut water always gets me through tough times. I guzzle one down after a 90-minute Bikram yoga sweat session and the morning after one-too-many margaritas.

Hummus is a creamy dip that’s a favorite protein source for vegetarians and a popular appetizer at parties. It’s low in fat, cholesterol free, and is traditionally made with garbanzo beans and heart-healthy olive oil. You can also make hummus from black beans, white beans, edamame, and even lentils! But makers of the store-bought versions get really creative when it comes to flavored varieties of traditional hummus.

We know it can be hard to ignore treats like cookies, chips, and leftover holiday candy, but instead of giving in to a less-than-nutritious choice, why not look for a healthy alternative? Popcorn (if it’s not drenched in butter) can be a good snack option. A whole grain, popcorn contains 3.5 grams of fiber per 3-cup serving.

We love Kind bars, both for their natural fruit and nut ingredients and many flavors (over 15 different kinds), so we were excited to try Kind’s Healthy Grains, a blend of whole grains and other good-for-you ingredients like flax seeds, quinoa, and cranberries.

When it comes to fall treats, the high sugar content and calories can add up fast. Halloween candy, we’re talking to you! Yes, sweet cider and pumpkin bread are great once in a while, but the editors at Health have a new favorite–Kind Nuts & Spices.

 
First there were plain, fried white potato chips. Then they were baked. And most recently, they were popped. In between all that revolution were flavors far beyond BBQ and ranch, and expansion to bases like sweet potato and veggies.

Sometimes a good, hearty soup is all you need for a healthy lunch or dinner. Broth based soups are especially satisfying and packed with nutrients, but it takes a lot of simmering and stirring to get things right. You can make your favorite one-pot wonders on Sunday and enjoy throughout the week, or make quick, easy meals with a soup base. You’ll find soup base, sometimes called soup starters, in cartons in the soup aisle.

Fall fairs and harvest fests bring one of our very favorite treats: kettle corn. This simple snack has been popular for years. Dutch settlers in Pennsylvania enjoyed the famous combination of popcorn with sugar and salt way back in the 1700s! Popcorn is an all-natural whole grain that’s high in fiber. Although toppings are known to add fat and calories, kettle corn can still be a great choice if you’re craving a crunch.

Show us someone who never, ever eats an occasional chocolate chip cookie or a warm brownie, and we’ll show you a seriously grumpy dieter. So when Loren Brill, founder of Sweet Loren’s, dropped off some of her goodies, we couldn’t resist a mid-afternoon treat.