Did you know that February is National Snack Food Month? It’s the time to celebrate snacking! They come in all shapes, sizes, and flavors. Some snacks are really good for you, and others…not so good. One of the healthiest and tastiest snacks are…yes, you got it right, pretzels!
Pretzels are not just delicious and versatile, but they’re also timeless. When Catholic monks created the first pretzels from leftover dough it was serendipity in its purest form. The unique knot shape represented the Holy Trinity and pretzels had a significance far beyond being just a snack. For example, during the 17th Century pretzels symbolized the bond of marriage. Couples broke the pretzel like a wishbone, made a wish, and then ate it to symbolize their unity.
There are both soft pretzels and hard pretzels. Today, soft pretzels are popular at carnivals, sporting events, and festivals. Hard pretzels are a relatively recent addition to the pretzel family, and are readily available at grocery stores and specialty markets.
As legend would have it, in the 1600s, a Pennsylvania baker forgot a batch of pretzels in the oven. When the baker sampled the over-baked treats, he found them to be dark and hard, but crunchy and delicious. And the hard pretzel was born! Today, hard pretzels are one of the most popular snack foods in the United States.
While, quite often, snacks have a bad reputation for being unhealthy, there are plenty of snacks that are good for you. Certain snacks are a great source of fiber, vitamins, minerals, proteins, healthier fats, and carbohydrates. Unsalted pretzels made of whole wheat flour with added protein and vitamins are a great and healthy snacking option. So, the next time you’re shopping in the snack food aisle, you just need to be more aware of the ingredients and quality of your snack foods.
You can also think of snacks, especially pretzels as a mini meal. Pretzels are high in both taste and nutrition and when you snack on pretzels between meals it gives your body that sustainable energy needed to make it to that next meal. And, when you pair pretzels with cheese, yogurt, or some other protein source, they take on a whole new level of health.Here are some of our favorite pretzel snacks!
While pretzels are low in fat and protein and high in carbs, they also contain some fiber and B vitamins. This is because most pretzels are made of wheat flour, which is mostly composed of carbs. It is important that while you do not eat too many carbs, you eat the right amount. This is because your body breaks down carbs into sugars that it uses for energy. Also, fiber improves gut health and relieves digestive conditions such as constipation.
At OMG! Pretzels, our pretzels are made of sourdough, which has more nutritional value. While sourdough bread and snacks are made from the same flour as other types of bread and snacks, the fermentation process improves its nutritional value in several ways. It is a whole grain bread, and so contains a good amount of minerals, such as potassium, magnesium, phosphate, and zinc.
There are several ways you can celebrate pretzels during National Snack Food Month. You can eat pretzels. You can go to your local bakery for chewy pretzels or to your grocery store for hard pretzel sticks. Or you can shop OMG! Pretzels for ridiculously delicious gourmet flavored pretzels. We have 8 flavors in all, including our newest additions Salty Butterscotch Pretzels, Lemon Pepper Pretzels, and Sweet Chili Pretzels.
If you want to get creative, make your own pretzels or add some of our pretzels to your favorite recipes. How about baking a cheese-stuffed pizza pretzel? The recipes for homemade pretzels are only limited by your imagination. And don’t forget to make the accompanying dip or sauce as well!
OMG! Pretzels will fulfill all those pretzel cravings and make National Snack Food Month more fun and delicious. Based in Pennsylvania, OMG! Pretzels was founded by a mother-daughter team. Our ridiculously delicious pretzels are responsible for our growth. So, the next time you want to order a batch of scrumptious pretzels, shop online or a retail store near you for your favorite flavors and enjoy the taste and experience like no other. After all, that’s what snacking during National Snack Food Month is all about!
For more information about sourdough pretzels and other products, contact OMG at contact@omgpretzels.com or visit our website.
