Who says eating healthy has to be boring? The East Bay is full of nutritious and fun snacks if you know where to look. From smoothies to pickled veggies, here are some easy ways to add wholesome and delicious pick-me-ups to your routine this season.
Whether you’re a committed New Year’s resolution-maker with sights on a healthy refresh or just looking for an alternative to the occasional fast-food stop, Naked Foods RI may become your new favorite cafe this winter. The conscious eating-focused spot offers chef-prepared meal plan services and nutrition programs, as well as grab-n-go wraps, sandwiches, soups, salads, and more from their East Providence and Warren locations. “We make everyone's favorite dishes but cook them in a way that’s healthy,” says founder Mary Santana. So you can still enjoy baked chicken parmesan, but with whole-grain penne, or pasta primavera but with zucchini noodles.
For folks looking to forge a leaner lifestyle, Santana recommends a few tried-and-true tips: “Try to eat more vegetables, fruits, whole grains, lean proteins, and some low-fat dairy products, and keep portion sizes reasonable.” With meal prep options tailored to individual tastes and diets, Naked Foods RI takes the work out of portioning and grocery shopping – just choose your protein, carb, and veggies. Stop in and try their daily lunch special this month. NakedFoodsRI.com
If you’ve heard of juicing but never understood the hype, step inside The Power of Juice and you’ll become a believer. The Middletown cafe, juicery, and market boasts only 100 percent organic and sustainable snacks and bevvies, with Cordon Bleu-trained chef Brigid Rafferty at the helm. Juice Reboots – subscription services of perfectly portioned bottles – are a great introduction to the cleanse craze, with options like the Inflammation Buster and Green Antioxidant reboots targeting different health goals.
Prepared fresh and cold-pressed, each bottle is packed with vitamins and nutrients, perfect for combatting flu season. A line of autoimmune system-focused products include electrolyte replenishing coconut-water, metabolism-boosting kale, protein-filled nut milks, and more. No matter your nutrition goal, The Power of Juice probably has a blend for it – and winter means the return of Neuro Nut Milk (with a dash of nutmeg) and cranberry-forward Crantastic, best served with one of their vegan muffins. ThePowerOfJuice.com
Pickle lovers rejoice: Rhode Island’s specialty pickle maker is expanding with a new production facility in Coventry, and there’s a lot to relish. Pickily products can be found in over 50 stores in southern New England, including Tom’s Market in Warren and Sweet Berry Farm in Middletown.
“I've been making pickles since I was a little kid with my grandmother, and over the years, I started making all sorts of different pickled vegetables,” shares owner Sam Chesebrough. “At some point I realized that I wasn't seeing anything similar in grocery stores and felt like there was an opening in the market for a product like Pickily.”
The company started up in 2019 at Hope & Main and has grown into a four-person operation which produces a line of veggies ranging from cucumbers to beets. “Our brine is more sour than sweet and is made using only simple, clean ingredients,” says Chesebrough. “We've come a long way already but think that we are ultimately at the early stages of what Pickily can become.” Pickily.com
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