Nutritionally balanced traditional snack foods

Abstract

Appealing traditional nutritious snacks and mixes from which consumers can prepare appealing traditional nutritious snacks are disclosed. These snacks and mixes offer an alternative to appealing but unhealthy snacks. The nutritious snacks of the present invention are traditional in form, provide a balanced mix of an amino acid source, fat, and carbohydrates and typically have an appeal similar to that of unhealthy snacks of similar form. Thus, the snacks and snack mixes of the present invention resolve the dilemma that consumers are currently faced with—healthy eating or enjoying what you eat. Processes for making and methods of using appealing traditional nutritious snacks and mixes from which consumers can prepare appealing traditional nutritious snacks are also disclosed.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 ) A nutritionally balanced, traditional snack food having a water activity of less than 0.90; and comprising on a 30 gram basis: 
 a) at least 5 grams of an amino acid source;    b) less than 3 grams of digestible fat; and    c) a carbohydrate that provides at least about 2.5 grams of dietary fiber.    
     
     
         2 ) A nutritionally balanced, traditional snack food having a water activity of less than 0.90; and comprising, on a 40 gram basis: 
 a) at least 5 grams of an amino acid source;    b) less than 3 grams of a digestible fat; and    c) a carbohydrate that provides at least about 2.5 grams of dietary fiber.    
     
     
         3 ) A mix system for producing the nutritionally balanced, traditional snack food of  claim 2  said mix system comprising a mix that comprises: 
 a) at least about 18.5% amino acid source;  
 b) no more than about 5.0% digestible fat;  
 c) a carbohydrate that provides at least about 8.7% dietary fiber.