Snack Time, Reimagined: Nostalgia Meets Nutrition

Written by Marta Bertran

From neon Gushers and Dunkaroos in the ’90s to today’s smarter, better-for-you snacks. Snack time has seriously leveled up! As a mom of two, I love that treats can now be both tasty and wholesome and yes, we still happily sneak in chocolate too.

I still remember those afternoons after school when my parents, or more often my grandparents, would pick me up and we would stop by the corner store for a treat. Maybe it was a bag of Dunkaroos, some Fruit Roll-Ups, or any of those processed baked goods we saw on TV. Back then snacks were all about fun, flavour, and bright packaging, not necessarily what was in them.

Fast forward to now, and it is pretty amazing to see how much the snack world has changed.

As a mom of two, I would say it is definitely for the better. I have become so much more aware of what goes into my kids’ food. It is not just about keeping them full between meals anymore. It is about fueling them with real ingredients that taste good and actually do good. Gone are the days when “snack time” meant a sugar rush followed by a crash. Today there are so many brands reimagining what snacks can be, using whole ingredients, skipping the additives and refined sugar, and making nutrition feel fun instead of forced.

And of course, we still love the sugar, the chocolate, and all those sweet little moments that come with them.

There are no restrictions here, just balance.

But it is refreshing to see the snack industry becoming more creative and thoughtful and giving parents options we can feel good about and I wanted to share a few of our family favourites.

Pod Squad Snacks
These mini waffle crisps are a total kid magnet. They are made from organic beans, oats, and flax seeds, so they feel like a smarter choice without losing the fun crunch. They are baked instead of fried and free from artificial colours, flavours, and preservatives.

OHME!
This Vancouver-based brand makes freeze dried fruits and yogurt crunches that taste like tiny bursts of fruit joy. They use simple, clean ingredients and everything is non GMO, plant based, gluten free, and free from added sugar or preservatives. They quickly became a family favourite. You can use code 1MARTA10 for 10% off!

Wellness Monster Snacks
These fruit bites and protein bites are made from simple plant based ingredients with no refined sugar or anything artificial. Many of their fruit bites use only fruit and veggie ingredients, which makes them a naturally sweet, good feeling kind of snack that works for both kids and grown ups.

Chiwis
Chiwis makes crunchy fruit chips using whole fruit, often upcycled from produce that might otherwise go to waste. Their kiwi chips, orange chips, pineapple chips, and tropical blends are naturally sweet, tangy, and totally addictive in the best way.

SmartSweets
SmartSweets makes candy that tastes like the stuff we grew up loving, only with way less sugar. They keep the fun without the sugar overload, which is a win for everyone.

Wise Bites
A Canadian favourite. Wise Bites makes cookies, muffins, and bars that are plant based, gluten free, nut free, and safe for most school environments. They use high protein and high fibre flours, yet everything still tastes like a treat. They are perfect for busy mornings and lunchbox days.

It is interesting to see how much snacks have changed, from the treats we grew up with to options that actually nourish our families. The best part is that we can still enjoy them together, and now they are choices we can feel good about sharing.