Did you know? Things that are healthy can also taste good!
Don’t get us wrong, there are plenty of products out there that don’t fall into that category… but Moonshot crackers have worked hard to make sure that we aren’t one of them. We set out to prove that we can make a healthy cracker that tastes good, and that we have a positive impact on the health of humans and our planet.
To do that, we took a close look at what the key components of the best healthy crackers are, and we’d love to share everything we’ve learned with you!
The Best Crackers Are Plant-Based
If you’re looking for healthy crackers that are also good for the environment, they should be vegan and plant-based.
A plant-based diet is one that omits animal-based products. This includes meat, eggs, and dairy. Even if you don’t follow a completely plant-based diet like veganism, eliminating some animal-based products from your diet can significantly improve your health.
Did you know: some studies show eating less meat can lead to a longer life!
Plant-based diets have also been linked to health benefits like lower cholesterol, blood pressure, and blood sugar, as well as lower body weight overall. Ultimately, those benefits can also lead to a decreased risk of developing heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and obesity.
So, plant-based crackers are good for your health -- but how are they good for the planet’s health?
Did you know: cow farts are making a HEFF-ty impact on our global emissions!
There is an enormous environmental impact that results from the livestock industry.
From the impact of farming the food that these animals eat, the deforestation of the Amazon in Brazil to clear land for raising livestock, and yes, cow farts, the meat industry accounts for around 15% of global emissions. Cows, in particular, are major contributors to the amount of methane and carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
When you cut animal-based products out of the equation, you also throw out all of that added environmental stress on the planet (here are some tips on eating Planet Positive!). And, the best part is, you don’t lose anything in terms of taste.
Same crunchy, delicious crackers but much more climate-friendly!
Look For Crackers Without Added Sugar
Carbon is the base of all organic matter. Water is in (just about) every living thing. Sugar is in virtually all the foods we eat. Yes, you heard us right. Sugar, refined or raw, is a part of the Nutrition Facts for most foods on grocery store shelves -- it acts as a preservative and makes food taste good.
Did you know: sugar is literally addictive. When you eat it, it causes your brain to release dopamine, serotonin, and opioids that make you feel good and make you come back for more to satisfy that craving!
The more sugar we eat, the more it’s absorbed into our bloodstream, and the more insulin our bodies create to process the sugar. This means that over time, we need to eat more sugar to experience that same delicious feeling. And when you don’t get enough, you can crave sugar.
As with other addictions, sugar is bad for you. It can lead to tooth decay, obesity, gout, diabetes, high blood pressure, and many other problems -- not to mention sugar crashes and the uneven energy spikes and dips you’ll feel as a result. Reducing the amount of sugar you consume is good for nearly every part of the body.
However, even with all that information and all that scientific research, the food industry has only ramped up the amount of sugar that can be found in nearly every product out there. Even unexpected foods like bread and spaghetti sauce can contain surprising amounts of sugar in them.
It can be incredibly difficult to reduce your sugar consumption, even though the recommended amount of sugar that we should be eating (per the American Heart Association) is no more than 6 teaspoons a day for women and 9 teaspoons a day for men.
When we created our crackers, we made sure to do so without any added sugar. You may have noticed that some other crackers have sugar in their ingredient list to make them taste better.
Because we use the freshest and highest quality ingredients with amazing flavor, we don’t need to (mic drop).
Flour Power
There’s a reason that crackers sometimes get a bad rap -- most all purpose white flour has been bleached and processed to remove its nutrients to extend its shelf life.
That’s why Moonshot uses stone-milled wheat flour -- it has a higher bran percentage than white flour, and is more nutritious and more flavorful than most other flours on the market. We also mill our flour right before using it to make Moonshot’s crackers, so it’s at its peak freshness.
Our better-for-you stone-milled flour comes from our friends at Cairnspring Mills, who are committed to completely traceable, identity-preserved grains, bought from farmers who are equally committed to soil health, ultimately making for flour that is more flavorful and nutrient dense.
The result? Crackers that are equally as nutritious as they are delicious.
Organic and Non-GMO
We’ve heard from you that it’s hard to know what organic and non-GMO actually mean. We’ll break it down and share why you should look for products that are organic and non-GMO.
First of all, let’s define the terms. Being able to call something “organic” is actually a complex process that is run by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Individual products are then organic certified by USDA-certified accreditation agencies. For example, Moonshot crackers are certified organic by the Washington State Department of Agriculture.
Did you know: all organic products are also non-GMO! Products must be non-GMO to be Organic, but products that are non-GMO are not necessarily Organic.
In order to be able to earn the organic label, a product must meet fairly strict criteria. First, they have to be produced without using any of the “excluded” methods (like genetic engineering, radiation, etc.). This means that all organic products are also non-GMO! They also have to adhere to a list of “allowed” substances, and be overseen by an authorized agent. Most notably, organic food cannot use any artificial chemicals like pesticides. This certification process means that not just anyone can use the “organic” label and make claims that they can’t back up.
Non-GMO, or non-genetically modified organisms, are products that are not the result of any genetic engineering. While that is one of the criteria to be considered organic, it is also something that should be considered on its own because a product can be non-GMO but not certified organic (much like a square is a rectangle but a rectangle is not a square!).
So, why is organic and non-GMO worth keeping an eye out for? It all comes down to how they’re healthy for both humans and the planet.
When we grow our foods under these criteria, we’re minimizing the amount of pesticides that can end up a little too close to our pantries for comfort. While there are strict regulations in place to try and keep pesticides away from our dinner plates as much as possible, issues with pesticide residue is unfortunately a real thing. Instead of synthetic chemicals, organic farmers use natural substances and physical, mechanical, or biologically based farming methods.
Similarly, by restricting what kinds of fertilizers and other chemicals are allowed into the soil, organic food promotes healthier soils. It also helps to protect farmer’s health because they don’t apply hazardous substances to their fields! All the chemicals that get introduced into the soil eventually absorb into the ground or runoff into waterways, so by supporting farming practices that only use natural methods, our planet ends up with a cleaner bill of health.
Ultimately, when choosing a healthy cracker, look for one that is both organic and non-GMO to make sure you are eating the best foods.
Climate-Friendly
Moonshot took a lot into account when cooking up our crackers. We are shooting for the moon with crackers that are not only delicious and perfect to eat alone or paired with any dip or cheese, but also organic, non-GMO, and made without any animal-based products or added sugar.
Now you know! Your snacks can be healthy and delicious! Don’t believe us? Try Moonshot for yourself -- we’re here to prove it!
Sources:
What Science Says About the Health Benefits of Plant-Based Diets | Discover Magazine
Cows and Climate Change | University of California, Davis
The sweet danger of sugar | Harvard Health
How much sugar is too much? | The American Heart Association
Our Process | Cairnspring Mills
Organic Labeling | Agricultural Marketing Service
Glyphosate contamination in Food Goes Far Beyond Oat Products | Environmental Working Group (EWG)
