I must confess, whenever I encounter a marketing scheme that involves “healthy snack,”  catered to children I probably look like the eye-rolling emoji. My scrutiny and cynicism are  a byproduct of one too many “healthy snacks” purchased and cataclysmically consumed that end up being: a) full of preservatives or ingredients that I can’t pronounce, b) leave my child ravenous, c) resemble cardboard in taste and/or texture, or d) all of the above.

You can imagine my surprise, then, when proposed healthy snack Rise Buddy, infiltrated my healthy snack sarcasm barrier. Not only do these snacks described as a healthy hybrid of brown rice meets chip fulfill the criteria for healthy, satisfying snack – taste yummy, are satiating and made with %100 whole grain brown rice – the flavors truly reflect what they say. 

Our test box included “Sea Salt,” “BBQ,” “Pizza,” and “Sour Cream and Onion.” Each member of our 5-person household tested the various flavors. All agreed, from ages 8, 10 and – well, older, that these chips are delicious. 

I can say in all honesty that I would NEVER typically opt for pizza-flavored anything, least of all in a healthy version of something (bad, I know), but that was my chosen flavor after sampling one from the kids’ bag. Tasty, little crunchy pizzas in every bite – now, that is my kind of healthy snack.

Look, I wouldn’t call myself a health nut, but I think like most parents, I want to provide my children with healthier options whenever possible … but you know what’s really telling about Rise Buddy snacks? 

Even though my kids don’t have sensitivities to gluten (these snacks are gluten free), and although these goodies are baked, not fried, my girls (all 3), snagged the remaining Rise Buddies and packed them in their own lunches – despite there being another popular chip package in the pantry.

Rise Buddy has earned the privilege of “healthy snack” and a 5/5 rating (plus the packaging is cute and clever)

If you want to power your pantry with Rise Buddy snacks, they are available on Amazon in cases of 12 and 36 bags.