The Daily Chomp

Our Blog March 07, 2024

18 High Protein Snacks That Are Under 100 Calories

Explore 18 low calorie, high-protein snacks. Satisfy cravings, manage weight, and stick to your goals with these healthy and nutritious options. READ MORE

Our Blog March 04, 2024

How to Find Your Daily Protein Goal

Are you unsure about how much protein you should be eating in a day? You’ve probably heard many different answers ranging from percentages to grams. If you feel confused about how much you need, you’re not alone! As a registered dietitian, I’m here to share a simple way to determine how to find your daily protein goal. How to Find Your Daily Protein Goal Protein is key for maintaining optimal health, supporting muscle growth, and overall well-being, so understanding how much you need to thrive is crucial. A fool-proof way to find your daily protein goal is to multiply your body weight by 0.5 to 0.7. For instance, if you weigh 150 pounds, your recommended protein intake would range between 75 to 105 grams per day. Factors that Affect Protein Needs Aside from your weight, needs also vary depending on your activity level, age, and health goals. Athletes and individuals engaging in regular exercise may require a higher protein intake to support muscle growth, repair, and recovery. On the other hand, older adults may benefit from more protein to preserve muscle mass and prevent osteoporosis and sarcopenia. How to Reach Your Daily Protein Goal Meeting your daily protein goals is easier than you think! With a little planning and choosing protein-rich foods, eating enough protein is easily attainable. Here’s an example of how you can reach a target of 105 grams of protein throughout the day: 2 eggs: 14g 1 cup Greek yogurt: 23g 3.5 oz grilled chicken breast: 32g 1 Turkey Chomps: 12g 3.5 oz shrimp: 24g Tips for Eating More Protein When choosing ingredients, consider choosing your protein source first and building the rest of your meal around it. Some high-protein foods include chicken, turkey, beef, salmon, tuna, and Greek yogurt. Snacking on protein-packed options like Chomps, hard-boiled eggs, or dried edamame can help drive up your daily protein intake, helping you reach your goal without having to consume large amounts of protein at meals. A little planning goes a long way when it comes to ensuring you have enough protein foods on hand throughout the week. Choosing at least five different high-protein foods to enjoy throughout the week can help you crush those daily protein goals. Hopefully this post has made you feel confident knowing exactly how much protein you need in a day, and how to reach your individual goal. Whether you're aiming to build muscle, maintain weight, or simply stay well, incorporating adequate protein into your diet is a vital component of a healthy and balanced lifestyle. READ MORE

Our Blog February 16, 2024

Allergen Free Foods: Snacks Ideas for Common Allergies

Navigating food allergies can be challenging, especially when it comes to finding nutritious snacks. Find tons of allergy-friendly foods, free from common allergens. READ MORE

Our Blog January 26, 2024

Sugar Detox: What to Expect and How to Detox from Sugar

Explore sugar detox benefits and learn how to successfully detox from sugar with our comprehensive guide. Start your journey to a healthier lifestyle now! READ MORE

Our Blog October 23, 2023

Field Trip Snacks: 11 Healthy Field Trip Snack Ideas

Field trips are some of the most memorable educational activities school-aged children partake in, but they’re not the easiest trips to pack food for. Typically, bagged lunches and snacks are required on field trips. It may sound like a tall order to find healthy snacks that travel well, fit inside a lunchbox or backpack, and are something your child actually wants to eat. We’ve scoured the snack aisles and done the homework for you. Here are some of our favorite healthy, field trip snacks for your child to enjoy on their next excursion. Snacks for Field Trips It can be easy to pass field trip snacks off as just for fun or a treat, but they hold so much more value. Snacks help energize children between meals and can contribute valuable nutrients, like protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals, to their daily intake. That’s why it’s important to choose healthy snacks. Lots of snacks contain added sugars, salt, or unhealthy fat that don’t benefit a child’s nutrition. Instead, we recommend looking for snacks that are made with wholesome ingredients and contain under 5 grams of added sugar per serving. Snacks that contain protein and fiber help kids stay fuller longer, so they can have fun on their field trip. In addition to nutrition, snacks for field trips should ideally be easy to eat, produce minimal waste, and shelf-stable without the need for refrigeration. Field Trip Snack Ideas Here are 11 ideas to help you plan healthy snacks for field trips. 1. Beef Jerky If you’re looking for a protein packed snack for a field trip, jerky is the answer. Chomps makes mini versions of our original meat sticks, called Chomplings, that are perfect for snacking. Chomplings are available in two protein choices: 100% grass-fed and finished beef or antibiotic-free turkey. They contain 0g sugar, no weird additives, and are flavored with simple ingredients, like garlic, salt, and pepper. 2. Fruit Snacks Most kids enjoy the sweet taste and chewy texture of fruit snacks, but not all brands are created equal. Look for fruit snacks that contain real fruit and are low in added sugar, like Annie’s Organic Fruit Peel-A-Parts. The pull apart design makes this a fun to eat snack, plus they’re naturally colored with fruit and vegetable juice, and contain just 4 grams of added sugar per serving. 3. Fruit Chips For kids who love sweet snacks, chips made from fruit are another great natural option. Bare Baked Fruit Chips come in snack-size packs of either apple, banana, or coconut chips. The apple and banana chips contain just one ingredient: baked fruit. The coconut chips do contain some added sugar, but it’s just 4 grams per serving.Try mixing fruit chips with dry cereal, nuts, and/or chocolate chips to create a sweet and savory trail mix. 4. Applesauce Pouches Fruit pouches are easy for young children to eat, but they also make an excellent field trip snack for kids of all ages because most don’t require refrigeration. You can find plain applesauce, cinnamon, and applesauce blended with other fruits and even vegetables. GoGo Squeez Fruit & Veggie pouches blend carrots, sweet potatoes, and more with applesauce for several tasty flavors with no added sugar or junk ingredients. 5. Fresh Fruit Many fresh fruits are easy to pack as is and require no refrigeration. Think: bananas, apples, grapes, and oranges. To make it more fun, pair fruit with individually packaged dips, like Brainiac Brain Butter, which are nut butters made with choline and omega-3 fatty acids to support brain health. Be sure to check whether your child’s class and/or school allows nut-containing foods, as some children are highly allergic. 6. Popcorn Popcorn counts as a whole grain and is a good source of fiber. The healthiest popcorn is popped in quality oil and free from added sugar and additives, like artificial flavorings and color. LesserEvil is a great choice for individual snack-sized bags of popcorn. Their popcorn is 100% organic, popped in coconut oil, and seasoned simply with Himalayan pink salt. One serving delivers 4 grams of fiber. 7. Fruit Snack Bars While granola bars are a portable snack option, most contain a good deal of added sugars. A healthier option is to choose snack bars made with dried fruit, which is naturally sweet and eliminates the need for extra sweeteners. Skout Snack Bars are made with 100% organic ingredients, like dates, almonds, seeds, and berries, and contain zero added sugar. They come in a ton of kid-friendly flavors, like Apple Pie, Chocolate Brownie, and French Toast. We recommend Chocolate Peanut Butter, which has 4 grams of protein and 3 grams of fiber per bar. 8. Peanut Butter and Jelly PB&J sandwiches are a classic kid favorite and totally count as a snack. If you’re making your own, try sandwiching natural nut butter and reduced sugar jelly on whole grain bread and slicing it into finger sandwiches. You can also spread it on sandwich crackers or a tortilla, roll, and slice it into pinwheels for bite-sized snacking. If your child’s class does not permit peanut butter, try sunflower seed butter. Chubby Snacks has healthier individually sealed and packaged sandwiches made with peanut, almond, or sunflower seed butter, naturally sweetened jam, and organic bread. One sandwich packs 8 grams of protein and 6 grams of filling fiber. 9. Roasted Chickpeas For students who prefer crunchy, salty snacks, roasted chickpeas are a great alternative to less nutritious chips and pretzels. Chickpeas are a good source of plant-based protein, fiber, and iron. You can roast chickpeas at home or try The Good Bean, which are Project Non-GMO Verified, available in individual snacking packs, and come in flavors like Sea Salt, Classic Hummus, and Sweet Sriracha. 10. Veggie Crisps Healthier chips and crisps made with veggies and legumes make it easier to sneak some added nutrition into your child’s lunchbox, while still being fun to eat. Off The Eaten Path Veggie Crisps are made with simple, non-GMO ingredients, including green and yellow peas, black beans, rice flour, and sunflower oil. A single snack-sized pack provides 4 grams each of protein and fiber. 11. Smoothie Pouches Typically, smoothies aren’t an easy to take on-the-go snack, especially for kids who are prone to spills. You can solve that problem with individual smoothie pouches — yes, the same kind you see toddlers sipping from. Noka Superfood Smoothie Pouches are 100% organic and non-GMO and made with wholesome fruits, brown rice protein, and “superfoods” like flax seed, camu camu, and acai for a punch of antioxidants. Each smoothie contains 5 grams of protein and 5 or 6 grams of fiber. Pack the Best Field Trip Snacks Field trips are a special occasion for school-aged kiddos. Packing your child nutritious snacks from brands that prioritize wholesome ingredients, like Chomps, helps fuel your child’s adventure and gives them something fun to munch on their big day out. Chomplings are the perfect portable Non-UPF Certified snack for kids. Check out our selection of healthy options for field trips and more. READ MORE

Our Blog September 20, 2023

Complete Guide to a Low-Carb Diet

Embark on a low-carb journey with our comprehensive diet guide. Learn the principles, benefits, and delicious recipes to achieve your health and weight goals. Kickstart a healthier lifestyle today! READ MORE

Our Blog July 24, 2023

Happy Plate Method: Alternatives Ways to Build Positive Childhood Eating Habits

The “Happy Plate Method” also called the “Clean Plate Club” is probably the way many of us were taught to eat as children. The rule was that you eat everything on your plate, no matter what. When your plate is clean it’s considered to be “happy”, and only then you can leave the table or get dessert. While this method of forcing children to eat vegetables and other healthier foods was common practice in the past, newer methods may be more effective. The happy plate method can encourage power struggles, teaches children to ignore natural hunger cues, and may create other issues around food. Instead of setting strict rules around mealtime, there are several alternative ways to help your child build healthy eating habits. Teaching kids about healthy food now can help set them up for a lifetime of better choices and an improved relationship with food. Building a Positive Relationship with Food Helping your child develop a positive relationship with food should involve the whole family. Here are some tips to get started. Stay positive It's easy for mealtime to turn into a power struggle. To keep things positive make meals a family affair. Eating meals together allows you to model healthy eating behaviors. Start by showing your child how much you are enjoying your food. Let them see you be excited to try new foods and cuisines and maybe the excitement will rub off. If they start whining or complaining, ignore the negative behavior and change the subject to something more positive. Start with veggies Vegetables are usually the most challenging food for kids to eat. They have more sensitive taste buds than adults, particularly for bitter foods. Start with vegetables as an appetizer and always offer them as seconds. Children tend to like raw or crunchy vegetables more than cooked or mushy ones. Dipping veggies in ranch, hummus, or another yummy dip can help encourage them to eat more. Let your kids serve themselves Serve meals family style so everyone is able to serve what and how much they want. Offer at least one item that the child enjoys, so they can make a choice of what they want to put on their plate. Let them decide how much they will eat, so they will learn to listen to their body's hunger cues during meal times. Get your kids involved Meal planning and prepping should be a family affair. Let your child choose what they will eat for dinner from a selection of a few healthy options. Grocery shop together and allow them to pick the veggies for the week. When you get home, involve them in meal prepping as well. When they are engaged in the meal planning process they are more likely to enjoy what is on their plates. Meal Prep Ideas for Picky Eaters If you are struggling with a picky eater, what are some things you can serve them that they might enjoy? Here are some of our meal prep ideas for picky eaters: Make it a pizza night Even picky eaters typically like pizza. A pizza night is a great way to sneak in some veggies (at least in the tomato sauce) and let your kids feel in control of what is on their plate. Mini Pizza Bagels are a great way to encourage kids to try new toppings. Play a game to see who can make the most colorful mini pizza by adding as many veggies, cheeses, or meats as possible. Snack or picnic dinners Kids like to pick what they eat and a picnic-style dinner can help them feel more in control. Grab a muffin pan and fill each hole with a different type of fruit, veggie, cracker, cheese, or their favorite Chomps flavor. This is a colorful way to encourage your child to eat a variety of foods while having fun! Nacho night Like pizza, nachos are a great way to sneak in veggies and protein. Let your child choose what they want on their nachos. Get creative with the toppings. Offer shredded cheese, beans, tomatoes, olives, sour cream, guacamole, and peppers. This Sheet Pan Nacho recipe uses our Chomps sticks as a protein source (such as Original, BBQ, Turkey, or Venison), along with other delicious ingredients. Dipping cups Think outside the box (or plate) when it comes to serving veggies. These Crudite and Ranch Cups are an alternative way to serve veggies in a yummy dip in a more creative way. Start with your kid’s favorite crunchy veggies and toss in some cheese or Chomplings into the cup to add some color and protein. While ranch is typically a kid favorite, other dips like hummus, guacamole, or mild salsa are good options as well. Deconstructed salad bowls To give your child more control, try a deconstructed salad or burrito bowl. To start, chop up all of the ingredients and allow your child to select what will go in the bowl. Cheeseburger Salad is a yummy way to serve the healthiest ingredients of a cheeseburger as a salad instead. Burrito bowls are another alternative. This Whole30 Burrito Bowl does not include rice and beans, but they could be added as a high-fiber ingredient. Need more ideas? We have some healthy lunch options for when you need to pack lunch for a picky eater. Laying the foundation for healthy eating and a balanced relationship with food starts in childhood. While it can be frustrating to deal with a picky eater, don’t give up! Stay positive and continue to encourage them to try new foods. Some children take longer than others to develop their palate, so keep offering a variety of foods and encouraging them to explore. READ MORE

Our Blog May 25, 2023

The Perfect Gluten-Free Snack for People with Celiac Disease

On a mission to find your favorite gluten-free snack? We can help with that. But first, what is celiac disease? READ MORE

Our Blog April 06, 2023

Rainbow Veggie Crudité Spread

Brighten up your table with a colorful and healthy rainbow vegetable platter - perfect for any occasion! Add in Chomps Original Turkey sticks for extra protein and tons of flavor. Ingredients: 6-7 Chomps Turkey Sticks, cut in half 3 carrots, peeled and sliced 10 oz bag of rainbow mini peppers 1 clementine orange, sliced in half 1 pint cherry tomatoes 1 cup white baby carrots 4-5 mini english cucumbers, sliced in 1/4ths 1 cup snap peas 4-6 stalks of asparagus, cut the bottom half of the stalks off 2 red radishes, sliced 8 oz cream cheese, softened 4 oz feta cheese 1 tbsp ranch seasoning 2-3 sprigs of parsley Edible flowers for garnish Instructions: In a mixing bowl using a hand mixer combine the cream cheese, feta, and ranch seasoning. Blend until smooth. Place a small dish of the ranch dip in the center of a large platter. One color at a time, arrange all of the vegetables and Chomps Original Turkey Sticks on the platter surrounding the dip. Garnish with a few sprigs of fresh parsley and edible flowers. Enjoy! Love this recipe? You’ll also enjoy our Rainbow Charcuterie Board and Chomps Cobb Salad creations! READ MORE

Our Blog February 06, 2023

How I Built This: Chomps' Co-founders, Pete Maldonado and Rashid Ali

Head here to listen to our co-founders Pete and Rashid on How I Built This with Guy Raz where they discuss how the company began originally as a mail-order service similar to Omaha Steaks and then shifted to individually-wrapped meat sticks. READ MORE

Our Blog February 06, 2023

Chompcast Ep. 13: Co-founders of 88 Acres, Rob Dalton and Nicole Ledoux

Every week on Chompcast, our co-founders Pete and Rashid interview industry leaders, aspiring and current business owners. READ MORE

Our Blog February 06, 2023

Chompcast Ep. 12: Co-Founder and COO of Verb Energy, Bennett Byerley

Every week on Chompcast, our co-founders Pete and Rashid interview industry leaders, aspiring and current business owners. READ MORE

Our Blog January 19, 2023

Chompcast Episode 11: Co-founder and Co-CEO of Beckon Ice Cream, Gwen Burlingame

Every week on Chompcast, our co-founders Pete and Rashid interview industry leaders, aspiring and current business owners for 15-30 minute ‘fireside chats’ READ MORE

Our Blog November 30, 2022

Chompcast Episode 10: Kaitlyn Kobida and Stacey Hartnett, Director and VP of E-Commerce

On this week's episode of Chompcast, Pete and Rashid did their second interview with members of their very own Chomps team. READ MORE

Our Blog November 30, 2022

Chompcast Episode 9: Founder of The Honest Kitchen, Lucy Postins

On this week's episode of Chompcast, Pete and Rashid interviewed Lucy Postins, The Honest Kitchen's Founder and Chief Integrity Officer. READ MORE

Our Blog November 30, 2022

Chompcast Episode 8: Registered Dietitian, Christina Chu

On this week's episode of Chompcast, Pete and Rashid interviewed a friend of Chomps and previous Chompian of the Month, Christina Chu, MS, RDN, LDN. She is a Chicago-based Performance Dietitian helping athletes achieve peak performance through food. READ MORE

Our Blog November 07, 2022

Chompcast Episode 7: Eli Weiss and Zoe Kahn on CX and Retention

On this week's episode of Chompcast, Pete and Rashid interviewed the Sr. Director of CX + Retention of Jones Road Beauty, Eli Weiss and CX Associate Zoe Kahn from Chomps to discuss all things Customer Experience and retention. READ MORE

Our Blog September 23, 2022

Chompcast Episode 6: CEO and Founder of Wellfare, Cole Riley

On this week's episode of Chompcast, Pete and Rashid interviewed the CEO and Founder of Wellfare, Cole Riley. READ MORE