Holiday snacking made healthier. It’s totally possible with CVS.

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Holiday snacking made healthier. It's totally possible with CVS. | Dearest Geeks of EarthMountains of hand-mashed potatoes covered in rich giblet gravy, green beans smothered in creamy mushroom soup and crunchy frizzled onions, sweet potatoes nestled under a blanket of toasted marshmallow goodness, turkey basted in its own rosemary-and-thyme scented drippings, warm goat cheese covered in cinnamon apples, decadent dessert coffee spiked with peppermint syrup and soul-warming spirits – the season of overindulgent eating is definitely upon us if my preliminary Thanksgiving menu planning is any kind of indicator.

I guess I think of Turkey Day feasting as a way to treat the family I’m so thankful for – an edible expression of love best enjoyed with roomy Thanksgiving pants.

And while eating all the things is fine the day of, it’s the week or two of leftovers afterward that give me pause.

My kids love snacking on re-heated holiday goodness (homemade pumpkin pie is a totally legit breakfast food), but allowing them to binge on so much fat and sodium for an extended period of time is out of the question. Their normal snacking habits revolve around fresh fruit, hard cheeses, baked snack crackers, pretzels, and limited after-school sweet treats (lemon-filled sandwich cookies are a current fave), and trying to keep them on that track during the holiday season can be tricky.

CVS (yes, as in the pharmacy chain) recently introduced a line of better-for-you products under its new Gold Emblem Abound label, including snack bars, trail mixes, dried fruit, popcorn and rice chips.

Holiday snacking made healthier. It's totally possible with CVS. | Dearest Geeks of EarthEach of its more than 40 (!) snack options is free from artificial flavors and preservatives and contains no trans fats. What’s more, a lot (thought not all) are gluten-free, sodium-free, cholesterol-free and peanut- and tree-nut free, and many contain great sources of protein, fiber, potassium, probiotic cultures, and omega-3s from yogurt, African baobab, dark chocolate, chia seeds, sea salt and other power-packed ingredients.

Holiday snacking made healthier. It's totally possible with CVS. | Dearest Geeks of Earth

Holiday snacking made healthier. It's totally possible with CVS. | Dearest Geeks of EarthHoliday snacking made healthier. It's totally possible with CVS. | Dearest Geeks of EarthHoliday snacking made healthier. It's totally possible with CVS. | Dearest Geeks of EarthHoliday snacking made healthier. It's totally possible with CVS. | Dearest Geeks of EarthWe sampled a number of the Gold Emblem Abound snacks – because research – and have yet to try one that we didn’t like. What’s more, prices range from a very affordable $2.19 to $10.99, and coupled with the CVS Extra Care Program, we’ve found that healthier snacking isn’t the only benefit.

The program, which is a free-to-join rewards and savings plan, gives you 2% back in ExtraBucks Rewards (use them like free CVS money) on everyday purchases, with personalized coupons available online, in-store and on your receipt.

Looks like I’ll be adding a few more things to my Thanksgiving shopping list. I want to prepared for when the food coma hits after all. Maybe I should get some ibuprofen too.

Disclosure: DGOE is a compensated CVS Gold Emblem Abound Snackurday leader. Join the conversation at #CVSAbound and #Snackurday.

  6 comments for “Holiday snacking made healthier. It’s totally possible with CVS.

  1. Divina
    11/30/2014 at 9:00 PM

    I am addicted to the CVS Emblem snacks. The salted crackers and the almonds are my favorite and really happy that we have new snack options from CVS.

    • Dearest Geeks of Earth
      12/02/2014 at 10:56 AM

      Who knew CVS could throw so much deliciousness into the ring!

      When we think about drug-store snacks, it’s usually the cheap junky stuff, but this line has been a total game changer. That food allergies have been a consideration in their formulation had us sold from the get go too.

  2. Krystyn @ Really, Are You Serious?
    12/02/2014 at 9:56 PM

    Those are some good looking snacks! I need to be better about eating dried fruit instead of chips!

    • Dearest Geeks of Earth
      12/05/2014 at 8:59 AM

      If you really like salty snacks, Krystyn, you should check out the Gold Emblem Abound Heavenly Popcorn and Rice Chips. SO. GOOD. And way more interesting from a flavor standpoint than boring old potato chips!

  3. maryanne @ mama smiles
    12/05/2014 at 1:10 PM

    Great snack suggestions! I am always looking for healthy snacks with four kids, and I love CVS.

    • Dearest Geeks of Earth
      12/05/2014 at 7:41 PM

      Healthy eating habits start young! So glad you enjoyed our suggestions

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