The first time someone over at the Trying Low Oxalates Group mentioned Snapea Crisps, I thought she had misspelled snap peas and had totally bombed on the oxalate content (sugar snap peas are high oxalate at 25.8 mg. per half cup). Then I learned she was referring to a puffy snack food made from green peas and I was sure she was joking.
These guys like Snapea Crisps so much it's the only snack they're serving at Game Night!
She wasn’t.
There really is a puffed snack food made from peas that is low oxalate. In fact, Snapea Crisps only have 2.3 mg. per oxalate per one ounce serving, so if you eat the whole bag in one sitting (3.3 ounces), which I have been known to do, you haven’t bombed your whole day’s oxalate content.
A number of gals over at the Trying Low Oxalate Group rave about Snapea Crisps, so I knew I had to give them a try. The verdict?
I’m not going to rave, but if you are looking for a crunchy, salty snack that’s low oxalate and relatively healthy, then Calbees Snapea Crisps just might be the snack for you. The bag advertises them as “snack salad” which is kind of weird, but you basically are eating peas in a bag so maybe you are snacking on salad. The bag also advertises Snapea Crisps as delicate and tasty. I give Snapea Crisps an “A” for texture. I’m not sure if delicate is an accurate description, but they do have a fabulous texture–light, crispy, crunchy and “puffy” (like a corn puff or a rice puff). As for tasty, perhaps that’s a bit of a stretch. I initially gave them a “C” for taste, but their taste grows on you and since I couldn’t stop eating them, they worked their way up to a “B minus.” Snapea Crisps are a little bland and yes, you can taste the peas, although it’s not overwhelming. To me, it was like eating a corn puff that someone stuck a little pea flavor into. Slightly weird, but pretty good once I got used to it. I also give Snapea Crisps an “A” for appearance, because how crazy it to design a snack food that’s light green and shaped like a sugar snap pea? I love these little crisps just for that, although I fully realize it’s sure to be a turn-off for some of you. I love my weird, green little snacks!
The other good thing about Snapea Crisps is that they don’t contain wheat (although they are processed in a plant that processes wheat, so they are not safe for people who are gluten-free because of celiac disease, a wheat allergy, or a severe sensitivity). Plus, the ingredient list is pretty benign–with no artificial colors or flavors and only a few simple ingredients that are all completely pronounceable like green peas, rice, salt and corn oil. (Click on this link to the company’s product page for full nutrition information)
If you like salty, “puff” snacks and green peas, you will probably love Snapea Crisps. I also recommend you give these a try if you are looking for a passable low oxalate snack to satisfy an occasional urge for something salty and crunchy. They just might surprise you. If you are a potato chip addict, however, and you’re still grieving your loss, then these little crisps are probably not going to do it for you.
Let us know what you think about Snapea Crisps in the comments section below.
Where to buy Snapea Crisps in North America: Most of my US and Canadian readers should be able to find Snapea Crisps in natural food stores or in the natural food section of their big chain grocery store. Some grocery stores even carry Snapea Crisps right along with the Lays, although this is rare in the Midwest USA. US readers may also order Snapea Crisps on-line here. The company website claims they are not yet available in Mexico and does not take direct orders, but North American customers can contact them here if your natural food store is willing to give them a try and wants to make an order.
Where to buy Snapea Crisps in the UK and other countries: According to the company website, Snapea Crisps are only sold in the US and Cananda, but I did find some for sale on-line at Amazon.co.uk, so they may be starting to sell some abroad. Only the Snapea Crisps Caesar Flavor is available in the UK at this time, but if you read the ingredient list at the company website, you can see that it should also be low oxalate. Since I’m not a fan of “flavored” snack foods, I haven’t tried this flavor yet, but if you do please let the rest of us know how it is in the comments section below. You may also want to try back at Amazon.co.uk, occasionally to see if they’ve gotten some of the original flavor in.
Photo credit goes to Jennlang for Game Night 1.
{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }