Top 5 Snacks from the 2014 Snack Attack Showcase

Over 20 different brands showed off their new snacks at the recent 2014 Snack Attack Editor Showcase. There was a little of everything, from drinks to chips to pre-packed lunches. After sampling a little of each, we rounded up our top five favorites that kids will love for the taste, but parents will love for the nutrition! Check out these healthy and innovative snacks below.

Pasta Chips
Made from semolina flour, Italian herbs, spices, and cheeses, this snack is basically pasta baked into chips! They have about 60 percent less fat than regular potato chips, but plenty of classic Italian taste. Pasta Chips come in Alfredo, Garlic Olive Oil, Sea Salt, Marinara, and Spicy Tomato Herb. Your kids can bring a bag to school, or you can even use them in recipes available online. While not yet widely available, you can place an order on their website. pastachips.com

Applegate HALF TIME
Sometimes it’s hard for busy parents to find the time to pack lunch for the kids. But before you reach for Lunchables, try this new healthy alternative from Applegate. HALF TIME is a pre-packed lunch (or snack) that comes in three varieties: Bologna and Cheese, Ham and Cheese, and Turkey and Cheese. Their antibiotic-free meat and hormone-free cheese are served on crackers, and come with Stonyfield organic yogurt and snacks. applegate.com

Boulder Canyon Arise Cereal
A welcome change from all the sugary cereals kids are eating these days, Boulder Canyon’s Arise Cereal has only 5-7 grams of sugar and 130 calories per serving. They come filled with either real Greek Yogurt or Dark Chocolate, making it not only healthy but a sweet treat too! Gluten-free and a good source of fiber and whole grains, this cereal is a great way for the whole family to start the day off right, or snack guilt-free. bouldercanyonfoods.com

NAPSI-certified Maple Water
This one may not be a snack per se, but if your child doesn’t like drinking plain water, this drink may be the one for them. NAPSI-certified Maple Water is 100% pure maple water, made from fresh sap. Low in sugar but with a faint, sweet taste, Maple Water is a great way to stay hydrated, with all the nutritional benefits of drinking maple sap straight from the tree! The NAPSI certification guarantees that this maple water is Natural, Authentic, Pure, Sterile, and Undiluted. napsi.ca

Ocean’s Halo Seaweed Chips
Seaweed Chips may sound like a strange snack, but you and your kids are sure to love them. Made entirely from seaweed and other natural ingredients, these baked chips are as healthy as they are tasty. Seaweed is a super food, so these chips are packed with vitamins and minerals! They come in four flavors: Chili Lime, Sea Salt, Korean BBQ, and Hot & Spicy. The flavors Sweet Onion and Texas BBQ are coming soon, so be on the look out! oceanshalo.com

Manhattan Mandarin

Manhattan Mandarin runs the Mandarin after-school programs at over 40 schools nationwide, including St. Bernard's, Chapin, Allen-Stevenson, and Buckley. Whether in schools, students' homes, in the office, online, or on our beloved China trips, our teachers and tutors have helped hundreds of students of all ages master the Mandarin language on their own unique paths to fluency. Our philosophy has always been to make private lessons and classes perfectly tailored for each individual student. We look forward to working with you. - Jamie Keyte, Founder

Chickenshed NYC

Chickenshed is an inclusive theatre company that began in the UK in 1974. Chickenshed NYC is a young organization bringing that same ethos and unique methodology to the USA. Chickenshed&rsquo;s mission is to create entertaining and outstanding theatre that celebrates diversity and inspires positive change. Chickenshed's model of Inclusive Theatre is based in the belief that everyone can flourish when everyone is included. At Chickenshed everyone is welcome, everyone is valued, and together we produce remarkable theatre. We want to break down barriers between people to create a world without labels and where differences no longer divide. At Chickenshed, support is given to those who need it, and given by those who can . We believe that creative activities, self-expression and performance should be available to anyone who has the desire, no matter their background or circumstances. We know that when everyone has the opportunity to shine, amazing things happen. Chickenshed NYC provides programming for little ones, children and youth through semester-long activities and performances.

British Swim School - Long Island

The premier learn-to-swim provider for people of all ages, offering programs for children ages 3-months through adults.&nbsp; British Swim School uses gentle teaching methods and a survival-first approach to help people of all experience levels become safer, stronger swimmers. British Swim School&rsquo;s safe, fun, and effective instructional program has made it the preferred choice for parents and students for over 40 years. Come see the British Swim School difference!