Most of us are creatures of habit, and that includes food prep. I tend to go down the same aisles at the supermarket and buy the same things week in and week out. Occasionally, though, I find or notice something for the first time, and it turns out to be a winner!

My most recent find is seaweed Snacks. I know they’re hardly new, but I had not tasted them until recently. Now I am hooked! The small packages of dried, seasoned seaweed have only 30 calories each. They’re not as filling as some snacks, but they taste good and are definitely better for me to munch on than a lot of other crunchy snacks!

Have you found any new products or new-to-you ingredients recently? What are they, and do you use them in recipes? Share your great finds here!

Freeze dried Edamame at Target is my new crunchy snack. It's their Simply Balanced brand and found with the other dried fruits and vegetables. I like these much better than roasted soy nuts - taste much more like steamed edamame.

Freeze dried Edamame at Target is my new crunchy snack. It's their Simply Balanced brand and found with the other dried fruits and vegetables. I like these much better than roasted soy nuts - taste much more like steamed edamame.

I love these! I don't have too much though since the brand I eat has pretty high sodium content.

Carrot chips- It's a carrot, it's a chip! Seriously though, I love these way more than baby carrots because I can put "stuff" on them like Greek yogurt dip or PB just as you would a potato chip but it's still just a carrot.

Here are some food staples I now keep in my kitchen at all times:

* Irishgold Dubliners cheddar cheese - wow! Just wow!

* Sara Lee whole wheat or multigrain bread - 45 calories/slice (has 6 grams Protein and 5 grams fiber)

* Litehouse chunky bleu cheese dressing - it's full-fat and high-calorie, but when you dip romaine lettuce hearts in it (and use only a little) it's just amazing! With that much taste you don't need a lot.

* Caltrate chocolate truffle chews - yes, it's a Vitamin, but it's also an after-dinner treat. 20 calories. Mmm mmm good!

* Smuckers sugar-free strawberry jam -- goes great with cheese on toast -- only 20 calories, but 7 grams of Fiber in only 2 tablespoons!

* Doctor Kracker Three Seed Crackers - HAVE ONLY EATEN THESE SINCE I BEGAN MAINTENANCE! They have such flavor and texture, as well as 5 grams of protein and 3 grams of fiber. I mostly eat them with tasty, full-fat cheeses and sugar-free jam (see above).

Hellman's Light Mayonnaise - this spread is more satisfying (fattier) to me than Miracle Whip, but not nearly as high calorie as full-on mayo. Only 70 calories for 2 tablespoons.

Starbucks ground espresso coffee -- I don't drink a lot of coffee anymore, but the first half-cup of this grind that comes out of my Mr. Coffee is very *shot*-like and, with heated skim milk, makes for a pretty darned delicious home-made skinny latte.

Not a snack, but a great food to have in your freezer is Trader Jors Riced Cauliflower.

I make faux fried rice with it and if you add enough seasoning, it almost passes for the real thing.

I sauté onions, peppers, and mushrooms in a little EVOO in a PAM coated pan. Them toss in one bag of "rice" that I've already warmed up in another pan.

Once it's warm, I add soy sauce and a little sesame oil, s&p until it looks right.

1/4 serving is probably a full cup and under 100 calories.

@@Cape Crooner I can't wait until we have Trader Joes where I live. It should be sometime this year. Seems like I will be able to buy lots of WLS friendly things there.

Fairlife milk (double protein)

P28 (protein) bread products in the health market section in the freezer

Fage Greek yogurt. I use the 2%, but numbers are similar in the 0 fat and whole unflavored versions. 23g of protein per cup. Even better, no additives, just milk and yeast cultures.

Oh and I love these new yogurt dressings by Bolthouse! I just found them and they are great. I have been using them baked with cheese on top of chicken for a great low-carb dinner option (3g). I am really fond of the Salsa Verde Avocado. YUM!

http://www.bolthouse.com

@@MzB I'm going to have to try this!

@@Kindle I've been looking for non perishable food, so I'll have to try these. I tried Quest chips and didn't like them, maybe I'll like these!

Quest chips are ok in a pinch.

My favorite "chip" is Mr. cheese O's. I eat them as my post-swim snack. I get mine from Amazion. They aren't cheap.

I also like some of the Kay's Naturals Protein bites.

Are any of these chips soy based?? I am soo allergic to the nasty stuff...

Here is the label from the Mr. cheese O's (cheddar flavor). I don't see soy.

I LOVE those mr cheese o's! You can get them for a good price at Costco. But way too easy for me to eat too many of them!

Here is the label from the Mr. cheese O's (cheddar flavor). I don't see soy.

ImageUploadedByBariatricPal1456886276.779436.jpg

ImageUploadedByBariatricPal1456886322.505003.jpg

ImageUploadedByBariatricPal1456886342.367448.jpg

Thank you, my friend. I will check them out. What is your opinion of the crispy pork rinds?

Here is the label from the Mr. cheese O's (cheddar flavor). I don't see soy.

ImageUploadedByBariatricPal1456886276.779436.jpg

ImageUploadedByBariatricPal1456886322.505003.jpg

ImageUploadedByBariatricPal1456886342.367448.jpg

Thank you, my friend. I will check them out. What is your opinion of the crispy pork rinds?

You are welcome.

I don't eat pork rinds so have no opinion. I have never tried them and don't have a desire to.