When I was a kid, any cookies or brownies that had nuts in it was automatically bleeech even though nuts-alone suited me just fine (just don't tell the other kids, 'kay?) I enjoyed making the Sassy Sunpops recipe earlier this summer (which has nuts and flaxseed.) I ate them. The kids ate them. It was great.

Shortly thereafter, the kind folks at Snacktrition sent me a great spread:

Yummy, yummy!

When they contacted me, I specifically asked for cashews, since the Cat is allergic to almonds, but they also have almond varieties of their suped-up nuts (such as the divine-sounding "Calcium Smoked Almonds.") But these nuts aren't suped-up with artificial preservatives, crazy fake flavors, or other additives that would spoil the nut experience. Quite the contrary, the ingredients listed are cashews, inulin, sea salt, black pepper, and canola oil (on the "Fiber Salt & Pepper Cashews" variety.) The "Calcium and Fiber Fruit & Nut Mix" understandably has more ingredients since it has lots of fun things inside, like blueberry and yogurt chips. But the list of ingredients doesn't contain any of that nasty stuff: No BHA. No BHT. No TBHQ. No artificial flavors. No artificial colors.

So what's with this "added fiber?" Well, according to the Snacktrition website, "Some researchers have calculated that if Americans double their intake for fiber, they could cut 100 calories from their daily diet, which could shave 10 pounds off their weight, yearly."

And you may have caught "inulin" on the list above - what is that? Well, apparently, "Inulins are a group of naturally occurring polysaccharides (several simple sugars linked together) produced by many types of plants. They belong to a class of fibers known as fructans... Most plants which synthesize and store inulin do not store other materials such as starch." And "IInulin contains a third to a quarter of the food energy of sugar or other carbohydrates and a sixth to a ninth of the food energy of fat. It also increases calcium absorption and possibly magnesium absorption, while promoting the growth of intestinal bacteria. Nutritionally, it is considered a form of soluble fiber and is sometimes seen as a prebiotic." Apparently, too much inulin can cause gas, but it is a better alternative than starch, and contains less fat. Truth be told, I don't know anything about inulin other than what I just read, but my experience with eating the nuts hasn't left me bloated, farty, or otherwise ill. Quite the contrary, I've really enjoyed snacking on these tasty nuts!

But what about the Cat and Splig? Well, I received the package while Splig was in preschool and the Cat was over at my parents' house. I ate the entire sample bag of "Fiber Salt & Pepper Cashews." Fortunately, I had another carton available for the boys to try. Not surprisingly, Splig loved them. He enjoys flavorful food. The Cat, meanwhile, declared them "too spicy," but for me (and Splig) spice is the point. The Cat much preferred the "Fiber Sea Salt Cashews."

Honestly, I hadn't heard of Snacktrition until I heard from them. But I am definitely intrigued since I've enjoyed tasting their products. The food is good, and doesn't contain oil or the dreaded preservatives. And then part of their proceeds benefit The Mama Cares Foundation, a group that has worked both internationally and nationally to feed and shelter those in need.

These nuts really are tasty - and they aren't dry, which is what one would expect of nuts that weren't made with heaps of oil. Thank you Snacktrition for introducing me to a yummy snack that I can feel good about enjoying, and that I feel comfortable about giving my kids in their school lunches.