Guilt-Free Goodness: Where to Buy Healthy Snacks in Metro Manila

I’ll be honest: I used to be one of those people who’d roll my eyes at those who meticulously count their calories, monitor their macros, and rave about brands that offer sugar-free, low-calorie healthy snacks in Metro Manila. I sincerely believed in living by the “See Food” diet — you know the one: I see food, I eat it, end of story. No need to be guilt-tripped about my great love for  carbs and sweets, thanks.

But when you keep eating as much as you’d like without a thought in the world, it’s all bound to catch up on you. Case in point: Me, trying my best to work out daily, and seeing barely any results — all because I refused to touch my diet! Eventually, I got off my high horse and decided to learn why people cared so much about all the things I used to roll my eyes at. And as someone with a huge sweet tooth, I realised that watching what you eat can truly deliver significant results.

Counting calories and monitoring what you eat doesn’t mean depriving yourself of the good stuff, either — it just means enjoying them in smaller quantities, or choosing to make the switch to healthier options. Fortunately, there are a whole bunch of stores that offer healthy snacks in Metro Manila. From vegan treats to sugar-free delights, these brands show that choosing to be healthier doesn’t have to equate to giving up the good stuff!

Also read: These Pinoy Trainers Will Get You in Shape This Quarantine

Where to buy healthy snacks in Metro Manila

1. Mad Batter Co.

Must-try menu items: Mini Healthy Banana Loaves, The Elvis, Vegan Dark Chocolate Cookies

“How is this only 110 calories?!” Basically what everyone says after biting into one of Mad Batter Co.’s delicious mini healthy banana loaves. They’re moist, fluffy, and packed generously with chocolate chips — pretty much everything anyone with a sweet tooth looks for in a healthy snack. To top it all off, they’re also gluten-free, grain-free, and made without any butter or sugar!

Not into chocolate chips? Check out The Elvis: a healthy banana loaf stuffed with scrumptious (yet unsweetened and unsalted!) peanut butter. Mad Batter also offers Vegan Dark Chocolate Cookies, along with Sugar-Free Chocolate Chip Cookies. Choosing healthier options has never been this tempting!

For more information, visit Mad Batter Co.’s official Instagram or Facebook pages.

2. Snack Hack

Must-try menu items: Ube Halaya Protein Pancakes, Morning Coffee Protein Pancakes

Need an extra protein boost? Or perhaps you simply love starting your day with a stack of pancakes! Snack Hack is changing up the breakfast game with their protein pancake mixes — because scrounging around for ingredients in the morning can become quite a chore (anyone who’s attempted to make their own protein pancakes knows).

Snack Hack’s flavours make starting the day with a healthy breakfast all the more inviting, too! Their offerings include Ube Halaya, Morning Coffee, Simply Chocolate, and Classic Vanilla pancakes. Who knew switching up your diet to get those #gainz could be this satisfying? 

For more information, visit Snack Hack’s Instagram or Facebook pages.

3. Love, Chef

Must-try menu items: Vegan Power Brownies, Banana Cinnamon Oatmeal Cookies

Real talk: One of my friends and I just about fainted when we first laid eyes on Love, Chef’s Vegan Power Brownies. How could these fudgy, chocolatey brownies possibly be guilt-free? Well, this online store has been serving up meal plans and healthy snacks in Metro Manila since 2019, so we can definitely trust that they know just how to create treats that offer the perfect balance of healthy and delicious!

Each of these mouth-watering brownies are palm-sized and have a whopping 21 grams of protein; they’re also vegan-friendly and packed with fibre. Sounds like the best of both worlds, right? Love, Chef’s Banana Cinnamon Oatmeal Cookies are sinless snacks you won’t want to miss out on, either!

For more information, visit Love, Chef’s Instagram or Facebook pages.

4. Dessert Pots

Must-try menu items: Healthy Pots, Keto Basque Burnt Cheesecake

During quarantine, many of us were introduced to the wonder that is basque burnt cheesecake. But did you know you can enjoy your fill of this Spanish dessert, minus the guilt? Dessert Pots has done the diet-conscious a favour by whipping up a keto-friendly (less carbs and sugar!) version of this crowd favourite.

Dessert Pots is also known for their Healthy Pots, which are perfect for breakfast or dessert! Choose between Overnight Oats, Chia Pudding, and Greek Yogurt Parfait — each a delicious mix of fruits and more sinless sweets!

For more information, visit Dessert Pots’ Instagram or Facebook pages.

Also read: 10 Desserts on Instagram We Can’t Stop Thinking About

5. Earth Desserts

Must-try menu items: Vegan BCF (Brownie-Cookie Fusion), Vegan GF Fudgy Brownie, Vegan Mega Choco Chip Cookies

Earth Desserts’ menu is basically a chocolate lover’s dream come true. Offering healthy snacks in Metro Manila since 2015, their vegan menu items are loaded with more than enough goodness to satisfy your sweet tooth — minus that guilty, heavy feeling that usually comes after indulging yourself in something sweet!

Their Vegan BCF is a fusion of their two best-sellers, Mega Choco Chip Cookies and Fudgy Brownies, with a dollop of chocolate in between. (Brb, drooling.) These brownies-slash-cookies are moist, fudgy, and made with three types of vegan chocolate. It’s a little hard to believe they’re not as heavy on calories as your average dessert! The great news? You can enjoy their cookies and brownies separately, too!

For more information, visit Earth Desserts’ Instagram or Facebook pages.

6. Baba Bake

Must-try menu items: Sinless Double Chocolate Hazelnut Cookies, Sinless Chocolate Dream Cookies

Choosing sugar-free has never looked this good! Baba Bake’s Sinless line of cookies make the idea of switching to healthier snacks so much less intimidating. In fact, just check out the drool-worthy shots of their Sinless Chocolate Dream and Singless Double Chocolate Hazelnut Cookies — you won’t even have to think twice about snacking on these keto-friendly treats!

Those who monitor their calories and macros (a.k.a. macronutrients — carbs, fat, and protein) will also be happy to know that Baba Bake shares these in their order form. Despite their desirable macro count, know that they taste every bit as good (or even better) than more sinfully loaded desserts!

For more information, visit Baba Bake’s Instagram or Facebook pages.

Also read: 15 Best Cookies in Manila and Where You Can Find Them

7. Super Scoops Dairy-Free

Must-try menu items: Coffee Cashew Crumble, Choco Brownie Madness, Milky Matcha, Strawberries & Cream

Ever tried vegan ice cream before? Once you try Super Scoops’ dairy-free ice cream, you may even consider going vegan — at least when it comes to choosing your dessert! Those who’ve tried it swear it tastes like regular ice cream, despite that it’s made with coconut milk and unrefined coconut sweeteners. Each flavour is made with no less than premium ingredients, too!

Indulge in creamy, guilt-free goodness with tempting flavours like Choco Brownie Madness and Milky Matcha, just to name a few. Pair yours with your turon, fresh fruits, or your fave baked goods! *Stomach grumbles*

For more information, visit Super Scoops’ official website, Instagram or Facebook pages.

8. Kelsea Bake

Must-try menu items: Cinnamon Rolls, Dark Chocolate Chip Cookies

Vegan cinnamon rolls and chocolate chip cookies? Sounds almost too good to be true — but thankfully, Kelsea Bake’s are 100% legit. 

After one of my best friends developed an intolerance for dairy, it seemed like the end of the world; we were pretty sure she had to bid goodbye to cakes, chocolates, and cookies. But thankfully, stores that offer healthy snacks in Metro Manila allow us to continue indulging in sweets as we make lifestyle changes. Kelsea Bake’s cookies and cinnamon rolls made her believe in life after dairy, that’s for sure! 

For more information, visit Kelsea Bake’s Instagram page.

9. Healthy Bean

Must-try menu items: Vegan Snickers, Fudgy Double Chocolate Chip Cupcakes, Salted Peanut Butter Brownies

One of the best things we learned while scrolling through Healthy Bean’s online store? Vegan Snickers are the thing, and they’re absolutely guilt-free! Those with a great love for sweets won’t want to miss out on their mouth-watering menu items — all of which are plant-based, gluten-free, and vegetarian- and vegan-friendly.

Afraid of crossing over to the healthy side? Healthy Bean’s goodies are a good place to start. We swear you won’t even notice the difference; and you’ll be consuming less calories while you’re at it!

For more information, visit the Healthy Bean’s official website, Instagram, or Facebook pages.

10. Made by Maxine

Must-try menu items: Cacao Hazelnut Almond Butter, Roasted Almond Butter, Vanilla Cashew Butter

It was late in life that I realised that things like almond butter and cashew butter even existed (boy, have I been missing out).  On my search for healthy snacks in Metro Manila, I stumbled upon Made by Maxine’s Instagram page — and instantly, my list of things to buy was suddenly filled with various types of nut butters!

Made by Maxine’s nut butters are locally made with all-natural ingredients; what’s more, they’re vegan-friendly and dairy-free, too! Their Cacao Hazelnut Almond Butter is particularly loved by those with a liking for Nutella, while their Vanilla Cashew Butter is a perfect ingredient for healthy banana muffins. One more thing I love about this brand? They share loads of delicious recipes you can try once you get your hands on their products — yum!

For more information, visit Made by Maxine’s Instagram or Facebook pages.

Also read: Intermittent Fasting Basics: Fun Facts & How to Make It Work

Who knew there were so many online stores selling healthy snacks in Metro Manila? Join me as I attempt to try them all — and don’t forget to tag @tripzillaph when you post photos of your guilt-free snack haul on Instagram while you’re at it. Make sure to use our hashtags #TripZillaPH and #LifesATrip, too!