Vegan Snack Staples

I know a lot of people who work in TV and film. The term I am about to use is something they are quite familiar with: craft services.

Because we are working superhuman hours and standing/running/sulking all day we need a constant inventory of snacks on standby. These range from healthy fruits and nuts to Cheetos and gummy worms to gum and Altoids.

I have worked the crafty table on numerous occasions. Most of the time I try to project at least some sense of health consciousness and 9 times out of 10 I’m greeted with a “where’s the junk food?! RABBLE RABBLE RABBLE.” Since some of my peers did not care for my selections I began hoarding my own healthy snacks.

An accurate depiction of craft services on a high-budget film set: 

So I guess offices have similar set-ups, a room where people eat whatever they want and their snacks are up for scrutiny. Well rest assured that even if people have something to say you aren’t going to care because you are eating something that will make you full, not throw you off track. (And when they crash from the 20-second high of their Fruit Roll Up and Pepsi who’s laughing then?! Muahaha!)

Here are some snack staples I la-la-love:

1. Apples (please don’t accept any from strangers)
I grew up eating an apple a day. When I was a kid my grandma would cut one up for me and sprinkle it with cinnamon and a little sugar and give me a toothpick so I could feel like I’m at some fancy cocktail party and not have to eat with my hands like a peasant. Now that I’m not 6 I can just sprinkle slices with cinnamon.

They’re also a great canvas. You can dip it in a fat free yogurt or a nut butter- just remember to give yourself a set amount of nut butter, a spoonful-and-a-half is my guideline, because it’s easy to go overboard.

2. Carrots/Carrot Juice
Dude, I love carrots in not just one but two forms… Oh and cake form. Mmmm. When I’m completely on the go and can’t even sit (go figure, a lot of people with kids tend to have this problem) I keep a small bottle of carrot juice on standby. It’s a great way to keep the pangs of hunger at bay before a real meal/you rip someone’s head off. In their solid state carrots are even more versatile than apples. Try dipping it in peanut butter- I dare you. Or if feel like “playing it safe” have a couple tablespoons of hummus or greek yogurt on standby.

3. Kale chips (pictured above is a GREAT brand and me “hiding in hippy shame.”)
Ok ok ok. I promise you don’t have to be vegan to enjoy these. Kale chips are available in a lot of health food stores. If you can’t find them make them yourself! Raw kale, olive oil, seasoning of your choice, and oven.. Boom. It is SO much healthier than munching on potato or corn chips and because kale is a dark leafy green it HAS PROTEIN! You seriously get to eat salty tangy chips and get nutrients. I think it’s worth the hippy comments.

4. Pistachios
While nuts are a little risky to snack on because you can eat so darn many, I have grown to love shelled pistachios. At first I refused to buy into the gimmick “oh you eat less if your hands have something to do” but IT’S TOTALLY TRUE. I find myself wanting to eat something when I’m stressed or annoyed. I keep a bag of these babies around because by the time I’ve fiddled with 5 or 6 of them the urge passes. Try to avoid the salted ones- nuts really don’t need salt and once you get in the habit of eating them plain you won’t care for the taste of anything else.

5. Oranges/”Cuties”
Same reason as above. Sometimes just something as simple and methodical as peeling an orange and eating it piece by piece sets the mind at ease. Cuties are little pieces of happiness. I will forever remember a middle-aged DP on set asking me,  ”Did you buy these?”, me being slightly worried and admitting I did, and his adorable childlike wonder when he smiled back and said “I really like these. They’re great snacks,”.

6. Avocados
I am frustrated with the bad rep avocados get. It seems to be the unhealthiest person that points out “how fattening” they are. Your body needs fat. Let it have it. I mash up half an avocado (save the other half for tomorrow or the next day) with some salt and pepper, maybe onion or tomato if one is around. I have eaten a bowl of this by itself but it’s also a tasty dip for carrots or wheat/rice crackers.

7. Soup (please, Mr. Soup Nazi? I’m so hungry..)
Not just for meals! Sometimes around 11am I find myself getting cravings and at first I thought “no, that’d be weird” and ignore them. I quickly realized “why not?” The liquid of it really fills you up and if you get a healthy brand or make it yourself (I wish I was that cool) why not have it at any time of the day? Just make sure you check sodium levels and calories if you’re counting- vegetable soups are my go-to and I avoid the major brands because they use chicken broth and buckets of salt.

8. Pure Bars/Larabars
I try to avoid names of things because they can be a pain in the butt to find but these are awesome. What I love about these specific bars is that the ingredient labels are so short and sweet.  Both offer a texture chewy-yet-cakey texture my inner fat kid adores. They’re pretty filling too and get bonus points for portability.

I hope you get a kick out of the suggestions I offered. Whether you’re vegetarian or a blood-hungry beast these snacks could make your day a little better.