What’s better than plunder? Pirate’s Booty…

If you’re unfamiliar with this snack food (which I still think Trader Joe’s should carry, c’mon – perfect fit!), Pirate’s Booty is a delectably crunchy, baked snack made from all-natural ingredients; it is gluten and trans-fat free (two rarities in snack food land). It’s really one of the ‘better-for-you’ snack foods around.

Pirate’s Booty was actually developed by a commodities trader named Robert Ehrlich who would watch an endless parade of his colleagues purchasing cheese puffs at the local delis. His distaste for the artificial ingredients he watched being consumed led him to use only natural ingredients in his food; creating a healthier alternative to other snack foods.

I’ve been a big fan of the line for a while (aged white cheddar specifically), but it’s one of the newest Pirate’s Booty flavors that has got me writing today. Bermuda Onion really got my palate tingling; with subtle seasoning of garlic, green chives and sweet Bermuda onions…  the entire bag was gone a bit too quickly (thankfully only 130 calories in the entire 26g bag!).

Pirate’s Booty is made from puffed rice and corn. The line has a number of great flavors like Aged White Cheddar, Barbecue, Veggie (which is actually vegan), Bermuda Onion, Sea Salt & Vinegar and even Caramel.  All of the Pirate’s Booty flavors are surprisingly low in fat and have no cholesterol.

The Pirate’s Booty line was developed  in 1986 specifically for children – well before the concept of ‘healthy’ snacks even hit the modern marketplace.  The motto at Pirate’s Booty is something that I think we can all agree upon: “no matter the age – tot to teen – children need to learn how to eat healthy and balanced to sustain good eating habits for life”.

On that note, A few lunchbox tips from Pirate’s Booty for all the parents out there (heck, all of us!)

· Trade in the white bread for slices of wholegrain or a whole wheat instead.
· Expand the range of foods to include grains, protein, dairy, fruits and vegetables.
· Avoid sugary snacks and you will help avoid energy crashes and weight gain.
· Lower the Salt – Super salty snacks can dehydrate anybody (especially children).

Look out for Pirate’s Booty six packs at your local supermarket – the one ounce bags are the perfect addition to a healthy lunch for those of us that still enjoy some snacking.

-bryan