Having worked with over 600 health brands, sampling over 1.5 million products and taste-testing well over 1000 of those herself over the years, you could say Peta Shulman, founder of GoodnessMe Box, knows her stuff when it comes to what’s good and what’s not in the wellness world.
For those who might not be familiar with the concept, GoodnessMe Box is a monthly subscription service that gives you the unique opportunity to try out some of the most sought-after health food products on the market, all of which get the tick of approval by various healthcare practitioners.
Through her journey of recovering from an autoimmune condition, Peta became obsessed with finding and trying new wholefood products with only the best quality, natural ingredients and was inspired to share her discoveries with the world.
Here, we’ve asked the self-confessed food label bandit to list some of the snacks she’s currently loving—there’s a great mix of both sweet and savoury options in there and better yet, they’re all office-friendly!
“The perfect snack contains three things: protein to keep your blood sugar levels stable, good fats to fill you up, and fibre to give you a boost of slow and steady energy,” says Peta. “To stay on track with my healthy eating, I always have snacks handy at the office.” —Peta Shulman
1. Dates stuffed with Pic’s Peanut Butter
“Whenever I’m craving something sweet, I cut a Medjool date in half and stuff it with 1 tsp of nut butter and a sprinkle of sea salt,” says Peta. “Anyone who knows me knows I love peanut butter,I usually use Pic’s Peanut Butter.”
“It’s all-natural, and contains exactly one ingredient: peanuts! The nut butter is a source of protein and good fats, and the date is packed with potassium and fibre. It’s low-GI, too, so it stabilises my blood sugar levels and keeps me full until my next meal.”
Don’t like dates? You could also smear nut butter on apple slices and top with cinnamon!
2. Ceres rice cakes
“When I’m peckish between meals, I fuel up with Ceres Organic Brown Rice Cakes. They’re light and crunchy, and literally have two ingredients: brown rice and tamari (the gluten-free version of soy sauce). That’s it!”
That’s it! I could munch on them as they are, but I usually top two cakes with avocado, tuna and a drizzle of Dibble Vegan Mayo. It’s made with Aquafaba (water and chickpeas), lemon juice and salt, and it’s still one of my favourite finds. Otherwise, I’ll slather them with Everymite, avocado and a boiled egg.”
3. MorLife turmeric latte (with almond milk)
“I’m obsessed with turmeric lattes – also known as ‘golden lattes.’ I’ve been managing an autoimmune condition for years, so I’m very conscious about reducing inflammation in my body. Enter: turmeric.”
“It’s incredible for inflammation. Along with the vibrant yellow spice, these lattes are filled with warming Ayurvedic spices that are easy on digestion, such as cinnamon, ginger and black pepper. I love MorLife Turmeric Latte because it also contains prebiotic fibres. I add a little unsweetened almond milk (like Nutty Bruce), and sip away!”
4. Chibbs chickpeas
“On any given day, I have a packet of Stamina State Chibbs Lightly Puffed Chickpeas in my desk drawer. These babies are packed with plant protein to lift my energy, as well as zinc, iron and fibre.”
Whilst many commercial brands roast their chickpeas and coat them with preservatives, Peta shares that Chibbs dry heat and puff the chickpeas before covering them with healthy herbs and spices. “They have a few flavours on offer and my favourite is sweet tomato.”
5. The Daily Bar in Salted Caramel
“With cashews, mulberries, mesquite and a drizzle of salted caramel, this sweet-yet-salty bar hits the snack spot every time. It’s free from refined sugar, gluten, dairy, grains and so, and high in fibre and plant-based protein for a burst of energy. It tastes so decadent – yet it has one of the cleanest ingredients lists I’ve seen.”
6. Pure Snack Kale Chips
“I’ll often make my own kale chips when I’m home – but at work, these are a lifesaver. These kale chips are topped with garlic and zesty spices such as cayenne, and then slowly dehydrated to preserve all the nutrients, vitamins and enzymes. Then, they’re fermented with vegan probiotics!”
“There are a range of flavours to choose from, such as Garlic & Spices and Dill & Onion. But my pick is the Cashew Vegan ‘Cheese.’ I grew up munching on cheese and onion chips, and these taste even better!
7. Undivided Food Co Bone Broth
“When I was diagnosed with an autoimmune condition, I drank Undivided Food Co’s 100% Certified Organic Chicken Bone Broth every single morning for a year, and I truly, truly believe that it helped me to heal faster.”
“Now, I keep some in the fridge at work, and whenever I’m feeling tired or sluggish, I pour myself a bowl,” Peta tells Amodrn. “As well as alleviating some of the symptoms associated with autoimmune conditions, it boosts energy, immunity and digestion, detoxifies the liver, and improves bone strength. Bone broth is also brimming with collagen and other skin-loving ingredients, which is a bonus!”
8. Hart & Soul Soups
“I’m super picky when it comes to ready-to-eat soups,” shares Peta. “They have to contain veggies, fibre and a source of lean protein, and be free from nasties, like GMOs, trans fats, and artificial ingredients.”
“Hart & Soul ticks all the right nutritional boxes. I love Asian cuisine, so my go-to is the Hart & Soul All-Natural Supergrain Panang Curry. It’s a vegan curry with coconut milk, carrot, chickpeas, peas, shallots and kaffir lime for that traditional Thai flavour. It’s creamy and slightly spicy, and the gluten-free grains (like brown rice and quinoa) lift my energy. The brand has yummy Nasi Goreng and Lentil Dahl soups, too.”
Heading to Sydney? Be sure to check out the GoodnessMe Box Wholefood Night Markets at The Grounds in Alexandria. For more info and to purchase tickets, click here.
