Are Harvest Snaps Healthy? A Nutritional Deep Dive

5/5 - (2 votes)

When it comes to snacking, many of us crave that perfect combination of crunchiness and flavor. Harvest Snaps, with their tantalizing taste and distinctive crunch, have gained popularity in the world of snacks. But are Harvest Snaps healthy? Let’s take a closer look at the nutritional aspects of these intriguing pea-based snacks.

Contents

The Pros and Cons at a Glance
What Are Harvest Snaps?
Where Can You Find Them?
Harvest Snaps Review (Lightly Salted Baked Pea Snacks)
Ingredients
Nutrition
Are Harvest Snaps Healthy?
Are These Dietitian Approved?
Would I Buy Harvest Snaps Again?

The Pros and Cons at a Glance

Before delving into the details, here’s a quick summary of the pros and cons of Harvest Snaps:

Pros:

Delicious taste
Relatively healthy compared to other processed snacks
Satisfying portion size

Cons:

Strong green pea flavor (not suitable for those who dislike peas)
Relatively pricey
Some snacks may appear a bit oily

Now, let’s explore what makes Harvest Snaps a unique snack choice.

What Are Harvest Snaps?

Harvest Snaps belong to the Calbee family, a company that offers a variety of snacks. Among their snack options are those made from green peas or lentils, which often resemble chips or Funyuns®. For this review, we’ll focus on their arguably most popular snack: the Harvest Snaps Baked Green Pea Lightly Salted Snacks. These snacks mimic the shape of snap peas still in their pods but have a chip-like texture.

Where Can You Find Them?

You can find the lightly salted variety of Harvest Snaps at various retailers, including:

The Harvest Snaps Website
Walmart
Costco
Target
Whole Foods
Amazon (affiliate link)

Harvest Snaps Review (Lightly Salted Baked Pea Snacks)

Taste

Many find Harvest Snaps absolutely delicious. They offer a satisfying crunch, although not as intense as traditional potato chips. These snacks have a pronounced green pea flavor, so if you enjoy green peas, you’re likely to appreciate them. They don’t taste excessively salty.

Interestingly, some liken the flavor to edamame, although opinions may vary. One minor drawback is that some snacks can be a bit oily, making them potentially messy to eat. However, the overall taste is so delightful that it’s easy to consume them in abundance.

Portion

Harvest Snaps come in visually appealing portion sizes, with approximately 22 pieces per serving. Each crisp is slightly longer than half the length of a forefinger, making for a satisfying snack. You can enjoy them as a standalone snack, or for added satiety, pair them with a protein source like baked tofu.

These snacks also make an excellent side dish to a meal, complementing options like a protein-packed veggie burger.

Price

One consideration is the cost of Harvest Snaps, which may seem relatively high. Prices can vary, but here are some examples:

Walmart: $3.25 USD for 6 ounces (54 cents per ounce)
Target: $1.99 USD for 3.3 ounces (60 cents per ounce)
Costco: $8.49 USD for 20 ounces (42 cents per ounce)

It’s worth noting that prices may fluctuate, and special deals or membership discounts (as in the case of Costco) can affect the final cost. For example, I purchased Harvest Snaps on sale at Costco, bringing the price down to $5.49 USD for 20 ounces (just 27 cents per ounce).

Ingredients

Let’s take a closer look at the ingredients in Harvest Snaps Lightly Salted Green Pea Snacks:

Green peas
Vegetable oil (canola oil, safflower and/or sunflower oil)
Rice
Salt
Calcium carbonate
Rosemary extract (for freshness)

The presence of green peas as the primary ingredient is noteworthy. While these peas are processed to achieve a chip-like texture, their nutrient content, particularly protein and fiber, remains intact. The vegetable oils used are not hydrogenated, making them a healthier fat choice compared to saturated or hydrogenated fats. Rice likely balances the pea flavor, calcium carbonate adds a touch of calcium, and salt enhances the overall taste.

Nutrition

Here are some key nutritional highlights from a 1-ounce serving (as indicated in the provided image):

Calories: 130
Total Fat: 5 grams
Saturated Fat: 0 grams
Trans Fat: 0 grams
Sodium: 75 milligrams
Total Carbohydrates: 16 grams
Dietary Fiber: 4 grams
Added Sugars: 0 grams
Protein: 5 grams
Potassium: 200 milligrams
Iron: 0.9 milligrams

Harvest Snaps offer several nutritional advantages when compared to similar processed snacks:

Fiber: With 4 grams of fiber per 1-ounce serving, Harvest Snaps provide a significant amount of this essential nutrient. Fiber is crucial for digestive health, and many Americans fall short of their recommended daily intake. Most other processed chip-like snacks offer just 1 gram or less of fiber.
Sodium: These snacks are low in sodium, with only 75 milligrams per serving. This is remarkable when compared to other savory snacks like pretzels and potato chips, which often contain 200 milligrams of sodium or more per serving.
Protein: At 5 grams per serving, Harvest Snaps offer a noteworthy protein content for a snack. Protein enhances satiety, making these snacks more filling.
Saturated and Trans Fat: Harvest Snaps contain 0 grams of saturated and trans fats per serving, promoting heart health.
Added Sugars: These snacks contain no added sugars, helping to reduce the overall sugar intake.
Minerals: Harvest Snaps provide essential minerals, including a decent amount of plant-based iron for a chip-like snack.

Are Harvest Snaps Healthy?

Yes, when compared to many other processed snacks on the market, Harvest Snaps Lightly Salted Baked Green Pea snacks can be considered a healthier option. Here’s why:

Fiber: With 4 grams of fiber per serving, they offer a substantial amount compared to other snacks.
Fats: They contain no trans fats and are low in saturated fats, which is favorable for heart health.
Sodium: These snacks are low in sodium, a rarity in the world of savory snacks.
Protein: With 5 grams of protein per serving, they contribute to satiety and make for a more balanced snack.

Here’s a comparison between Harvest Snaps Lightly Salted and two popular alternatives:

Product	Saturated Fat	Fiber	Sodium	Protein
Harvest Snaps Snack Crisps Lightly Salted	0 grams	4 grams	75 mg	5 grams
Veggie Straws Sea Salt	1 gram	0 grams	220 mg	<1 gram
LAY’S® Lightly Salted Potato Chips	1.5 grams	1 gram	65 mg	2 grams

As you can see, Harvest Snaps Lightly Salted Green Pea snacks offer the most favorable overall profile. They provide a balanced snack with fiber and protein, making them a healthier alternative to traditional chips.

Are These Dietitian Approved?

If you’re looking for a crunchy snack to replace regular potato chips or similar items, Harvest Snaps Lightly Salted Green Pea snacks are indeed a dietitian-approved choice. However, it’s essential to remember that whole foods like actual green peas would be an even better option when available.

While processed foods like Harvest Snaps can be convenient and tasty, whole foods are typically richer in antioxidants and other nutrients. A diet that primarily consists of minimally processed whole foods, including fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, healthy carbohydrates, and protein sources, is generally recommended. However, occasional indulgence in processed snacks can be part of a balanced diet.

Processed foods can also offer additional nutritional value through fortification, such as vitamin B12 in certain fortified foods and calcium in fortified plant-based milk and cheese.

If you have specific dietary concerns or questions about incorporating processed snacks like Harvest Snaps into your diet, it’s advisable to consult a registered dietitian for personalized guidance.

Would I Buy Harvest Snaps Again?

Absolutely! The lightly salted variety of Harvest Snaps is a delightful snack that I would purchase again. However, I would keep an eye out for sales or discounts, as they can be relatively expensive. If you have a Costco membership, you might find them at a more affordable price. Remember that the overall quality of a snack can extend beyond its nutritional content, and personal taste preferences play a crucial role in snack selection.