The Vegan Junk Food Getting Me Through This Pandemic
Dear Reader,
I’ll admit it. I’ve been snacking my way through this pandemic. I’m like a bear preparing for winter, eating and drinking nearly nonstop. My body is all sorts of confused. She doesn’t know what’s happening, when it’s happening, what time it is, what day it is, so let’s load up and brace ourselves.
But I keep telling myself that it’s ok. It’s ok if I have more cravings than usual. It’s ok if the walks to the fridge are more frequent. It’s ok if I’m finding comfort in carbs.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again; Now is not the time to beat myself up over anything. Now is the time to be super loving, kind and compassionate towards myself. Now is the time to just feel my feels. But most importantly, now is the time to snack my friends.
Vegan junk food is the only thing giving me life these days. That and every episode of Money Heist. Coupled together on top of my bed, and it feels like everything is ok in my little world.
I know. I don’t need your “Just because it’s vegan doesn’t mean it’s healthy” lecture. I didn’t title this “The Healthy Vegan Food Getting Me Through This Pandemic.”
I know it’s so bad, but so good. It’s bad because junk food is still junk food, usually loaded with sugar, salt or both. Anything overly processed and packaged in plastic is never going to be the best option. Fresh fruits and vegetables will always outdo vegan and gluten-free packaged goodies in the health game. But, in my humble opinion, if you’re craving ice cream and nothing on God’s green earth is going to stop you from attacking a pint, you’re better off reaching for the vegan version of Ben and Jerry’s.
With a little research (like this here post), you can find even better alternatives to your favorite junk food classics. There are conscious food brands out there offering vegan junk food that is organic, non-gmo, vegan, gluten-free, and all that good stuff.
If you’re going to indulge, might as well munch on snacks made with high quality ingredients.
Without further ado, here is the best vegan junk food that have been getting me through this pandemic:
The Safe + Fair Food Company Birthday Cake Granola
I call it crack granola because that’s exactly what it is. My mom walks in with this one day and I didn’t think much of it because it was missing the key ingredient I live for these days; chocolate. I had no expectations when I opened the bag and jammed my hand right in there.
Mind. Taste Buds. Heart Center. BLOWN.
It’s legit birthday cake in a crunchy, granola nugget of a bite. It’s super sweet, so you’ll be satisfied after a few bites. But also, the entire bag can easily disappear in one sitting if you’re not careful. Crumble this atop some vegan vanilla ice cream. We done here.
Found at Costco.
Barnanas Plantain Chips
Could I really call myself a Cuban if I didn't have an endless supply of plantain chips in my pantry at all times? I’ve tried them all, and this is by far my favorite plantain find. These chips are not overly salty, so you can enjoy a hint of the plantains natural sweetness. I love that they’re sprinkled with Himalayan pink salt and cooked in coconut oil for the perfect crunchy bite. Plus, they’re organic and non-gmo. Pair this with some homemade guac for salty, creamy indulgence!
Found at Costco and Whole Foods Market.
E&C’s Heavenly Hunks Oatmeal Chocolate Chip
Chocolate. It’s my choice of drug and I cannot, will not live without it. These heavenly cookie chunks of oatmeal and chocolate chips compacted into the perfect square of chewy goodness satisfies my chocolate craving each and every time. They’re vegan, gluten-free, non-gmo and made with love and real ingredients.
Found at Costco.
source: onegreenplantet.org
Whole Foods Made in House Sriracha Chips
Another one of my mother’s unassuming finds. I didn’t think much of it and ended up eating nearly the entire bag in one sitting. Why in the world did we not get these sooner? Freshly flash fried potato chips lightly seasoned with salt and heavily seasoned with sriracha. I need to stress the words “Made in House”. This means the chips were made at the store, not in a facility two weeks ago. This is as fresh as chips can get, unless you want to fry your own chips at home, which if you do, send me your address.
The combo of salty, spicy and crunchy is what chip dreams are made of. If you find me with one hand in this bag and another in the birthday cake granola, do not judge me. I’m handling myself.
Found at Whole Foods Market (every Whole Foods offers different Made in House products. Check your local prepared foods department for selections. Grab whatever chips you can find labeled “Made in House”. They’re all delicious!)
Sweet Loren’s Cookie Dough
I’m sorry if most of my best vegan junk food recs are full of sugar. Not sorry. I don’t have a sweet tooth. I have sweet teeth, and this latest find has me living my best, sweet life. Sweet Loren’s Cookie Dough has got to be the best cookie dough out there. But the fact that it’s the best is not even the best part! It’s vegan AND gluten-free!
Are you aware of the magnitude of this miracle? A vegan AND gluten-free cookie dough that actually tastes divine!? Fresh out of the oven, these cookies are gooey, soft, insanely satisfying. Pair this with a tall, cold glass of oat milk and you’ll foodgasming within seconds.
Found at Publix (Double Chocolate, my fave, Chocolate Chip and Sugar) and Whole Foods Market (Chocolate Chip and Sugar).
So Delicious Salted Caramel Cluster Ice Cream
Once you start eating cashew milk ice cream, there’s no need to consume ice cream made from cows that have been artificially inseminated. This stuff isn’t just as good, it’s better. Having tried pretty much every alternative ice cream out there, cashew milk is by far the creamiest, most delicious version.
This So Delicious Salted Caramel Cluster Ice Cream is the right amount of sweet, salty, nutty and chocolatey. Basically, everything a spoonful of ice cream should be. Scoop a little of this in between two of those Sweet Loren’s freshly baked cookies. You are oh so welcome.
Found at Whole Foods Market.
Did you just gain 10 pounds with me? What is the best vegan junk food that’s been getting you through the pandemic? Share with me in the comments below. I would love to hear from you!
