Connect with us

Entertainment

10 Healthy and Realistic Snack and Soda Swaps to Make ASAP — All on Amazon on September 14, 2023 at 6:36 pm Us Weekly

Published

on

Us Weekly has affiliate partnerships so we may receive compensation for some links to products and services.

Confession time: We’re snackers. Big snackers. Does a day even count if it isn’t filled with salty, crunchy chips and sweet cookies and candies? How can we deny ourselves our favorite bubbly sodas? We simply won’t do it!

What we can do, however, is make some lower-calorie, better-for-you, protein-packed swaps. And no, we’re not going to tell you to switch to organic fruit or plain water. You already know about those. We’re here to offer some realistic options that can actually sate your cravings!

Best Swap for Cheesy Puffs: Better Than Good Baked Cheddar Protein Puffs

Amazon

Advertisement

Top Highlights:

Keto-friendly, gluten-free
15G protein
Two servings of fruits and vegetables

With over 4,000 reviews, these cheesy puff snacks are capturing snackers’ hearts everywhere. These natural, veggie-infused snacks have a satisfying crunch and a savory baked cheddar flavor!

Best Swap for Hot and Spicy Chips: Love Corn Hot & Spicy Crunchy Corn

Amazon

Top Highlights:

Vegan, kosher, gluten-free
Popular for the Mediterranean and South American diet
Minimal ingredient list

If you love the tingle of hot chips on your tongue but want a healthier option, consider Love Corn. These habanero crunchy corn snacks are shockingly addictive, and we love that the ingredients list is short enough for Us to list here: corn, sunflower oil, habanero chili and sea salt!

Advertisement

Best Swap for Soda: Poppi Sparkling Prebiotic Soda

Amazon

Top Highlights:

25 calories and 5g sugar per can
“No fake stuff”
Contains natural prebiotics for gut health

Advertisement

Who knew a can of soda could feel so healthy? Poppi has become a serious sensation thanks to its variety of flavors, some of which closely replicate your favorite name brands, while others explore a fruity, creative twist. These prebiotic sodas feel heaven-sent for the bubbly pop lover who struggles to stay satisfied with seltzer!

Best Swap for Buttered Popcorn: LesserEvil Himalayan Gold Salt Organic Popcorn

Amazon

Top Highlights:

Advertisement

Air-popped
No inflammatory oils
Vegan, kosher, gluten-free

No movie night is complete without popcorn, but eating regular buttered popcorn is undeniably not the best choice for your health. This LesserEvil version uses a blend of organic coconut oil and plant-based butter flavor, plus Himalayan pink salt for a delicious snack that won’t leave you feeling guilty!

Best Swap for Stroopwafels: Rip Van Wafels Dutch Caramel & Vanilla

Amazon

Advertisement

Top Highlights:

A Hailey Bieber favorite!
Individually packaged
No artificial colors, flavors, preservatives, trans fat, soy or high fructose corn syrup

While one of the leading brands that makes stroopwafels features 11 grams of sugar and 0 fiber per serving, these Rip Van Wafels have 3 grams of sugar and 6 grams of fiber. Big shoutout to Bieber for the recommendation! Anyone with a sweet tooth will love this pick!

Best Swap for Tortilla Chips: Sieta Grain-Free Tortilla Chips

Amazon

Top Highlights:

Vegan, gluten-free, paleo-friendly
Made with 100% avocado oil
Grain-free, soy-free

Whether you like to snack on chips and salsa or want to prepare some awesome nachos for Monday Night Football, these salty chips are the way to go. They come in a bunch of different awesome flavors too, in case you want to try a guacamole or jalapeño lime version!

Advertisement

Best Swap for Teddy Bear Snacks: Kodiak Cakes Bear Bites

Amazon

Top Highlights:

5g protein per serving
Made with 100% whole grains
Three flavors

Advertisement

These yummy graham cracker bear snacks may be fierce, but they’re so, so lovable. This variety pack comes with honey, cinnamon and chocolate variations, each of which will help fill you up and keep you happily crunching whenever, wherever!

Best Swap for Sandwich Cookies: Simple Mills Cocoa Cashew Crème Sandwich Cookies

Amazon

Top Highlights:

Advertisement

Made with nut flour and nut butter
No artificial ingredients
Gluten-free, grain-free, vegan

We’ve all been there — we’re snacking along, and suddenly we realize we’ve eaten an entire sleeve of sandwich cookies (or more). They’re one of life’s simple pleasures, however, so instead of cutting them out, try out this nut butter, coconut sugar alternative!

Best Swap for Brownies: Nature’s Bakery Double Chocolate Brownie Bars

Amazon

Advertisement

Top Highlights:

Vegan, kosher, nut-free
Made with real cocoa and dates
No cholesterol, 0g trans fat

We’ll never give up brownies, but we are definitely willing to give up the super unhealthy ones in favor of these Nature’s Bakery brownies! This is the perfect type of midday pick-me-up to keep in your bag for whenever you deserve a little treat!

Best Swap for Frozen Treats: DeeBee’s Organics Non-Dairy Gelato Pops

Amazon

Top Highlights:

Organic, plant-based, gluten-free
No refined sugars
No artificial colors, flavors or preservatives

When you’re craving some ice cream, gelato or a sugary ice pop, turn to these gelato pops instead. They have a satisfying, creamy texture and are sweetened solely with organic fruit juice concentrate. Each one is 35 calories or less!

Advertisement

Looking for something else? Explore more grocery and gourmet food at Amazon here and don’t forget to check out all of Amazon’s Daily Deals for more great finds!

Not done shopping? See more of our favorite products below:

Advertisement

Related: 33% Off! Burn 700 Calories in 30 Minutes With This Weighted Hula Hoop

Us Weekly has affiliate partnerships so we may receive compensation for some links to products and services. Isn’t exercising fun? Said no one ever. At least not when it comes to traditional workouts. One of the reasons weight loss is hard is because it requires finding an activity we can actually look forward to. If […]

Advertisement

Related: 10 of the Best Shapewear Bodysuits for Larger Busts

Us Weekly has affiliate partnerships so we may receive compensation for some links to products and services. Buying shapewear for larger busts can be complicated. Sure, you can just stick with shaping shorts, briefs or leggings — but if you want more full-body shaping or don’t want to deal with waistbands rolling down, a bodysuit […]

Related: Get Fit on the Go With These Celeb-Approved Bala Bangles

Advertisement
Us Weekly has affiliate partnerships so we may receive compensation for some links to products and services. Keeping up with celebrity fitness regimens is quite the investment. Luxury workout classes cost a pretty penny, like membership-only gym Equinox or the Tracy Anderson Method. And booking a private session with a personal trainer is even more […]

This post is brought to you by Us Weekly’s Shop With Us team. The Shop With Us team aims to highlight products and services our readers might find interesting and useful, such as wedding-guest outfits, purses, plus-size swimsuits, women’s sneakers, bridal shapewear, and perfect gift ideas for everyone in your life. Product and service selection, however, is in no way intended to constitute an endorsement by either Us Weekly or of any celebrity mentioned in the post.

Advertisement

The Shop With Us team may receive products free of charge from manufacturers to test. In addition, Us Weekly receives compensation from the manufacturer of the products we write about when you click on a link and then purchase the product featured in an article. This does not drive our decision as to whether or not a product or service is featured or recommended. Shop With Us operates independently from the advertising sales team. We welcome your feedback at ShopWithUs@usmagazine.com. Happy shopping!

Us Weekly has affiliate partnerships so we may receive compensation for some links to products and services. Confession time: We’re snackers. Big snackers. Does a day even count if it isn’t filled with salty, crunchy chips and sweet cookies and candies? How can we deny ourselves our favorite bubbly sodas? We simply won’t do it! 

​   Us Weekly Read More 

Advertisement
Continue Reading
Advertisement
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Entertainment

DJ Shinski Brings AfriqueFest To Life

Published

on


AfriqueFest: Pan-African Musical Experience — World Cup Edition is set to take over Noto Houston on Sunday, June 28, bringing together East, South, and West African sounds in one immersive celebration of music, culture, and connection. Presented by Experience Noir and Bolanle Media, the event is designed as a cinematic night for the culture, blending global energy with Houston nightlife in a way that feels elevated, intentional, and deeply rooted in African creativity.

Spotlight on DJ Shinski

At the heart of this year’s experience is DJ Shinski. Born and raised in Nairobi, Kenya and now based in Houston, DJ Shinski has built an international name off high-energy sets that move effortlessly across Afrobeats, Amapiano, hip‑hop, dancehall, reggae, and electronic sounds.

He has also become Africa’s most‑subscribed DJ on YouTube, crossing the 2‑million‑subscriber mark and turning his mixes into a global destination for music lovers.

DJ Shinski’s style is precise but unpredictable: one moment it’s classic Afrobeats, the next it’s East African anthems, then a run of throwback hip‑hop or R&B that still feels fresh. That ability to read a room and connect multiple worlds in a single set is exactly why AfriqueFest is building so much of the night’s energy around him.

At AfriqueFest, DJ Shinski helps drive the Safari Grooves segment, representing East and Central Africa from 4 PM to 6 PM. Expect a journey that moves from Nairobi to Dar es Salaam, Kampala, Addis, and beyond, all filtered through his signature “vibes on vibes” approach behind the decks.

DJ Tunez and the rest of the night

Supporting that energy, DJ Tunez leads the Gold Coast Beats chapter from 8 PM to 10 PM, bringing his own Nigerian‑American Afrobeats pedigree to the stage. Together with the Diamond Rhythms segment (South) and a curated roster of DJs, the night stretches across the continent in three distinct musical chapters, all connected by a single dance floor.

Hosted by @chris_gone_crazy, @kingdrewwskyy, @roselynomaka, and @samsnewleaf, AfriqueFest is positioned as more than a party—it’s a celebration of sound, style, and Pan‑African identity in Houston, with DJ Shinski anchoring the experience from the moment doors open.

Brought to you by Bolanle Media & Experience Noir

Brought to you by Bolanle Media and Experience Noir, this World Cup edition of AfriqueFest is crafted as a night where global DJs, storytellers, and music lovers collide and create a shared cultural memory. With DJ Shinski front and center—and DJ Tunez helping close the night—guests can expect a show that reflects both the future of African nightlife and the power of the diaspora to create unforgettable live moments.

Advertisement

If you want to experience DJ Shinski live at AfriqueFest, now is the time to lock in your spot. Purchase your tickets now at AfriqueFest.com and get ready for a night of music, movement, and culture at Noto Houston.

Advertisement

Continue Reading

Entertainment

STREAMING PREMIERE · JUNE 13, 2026

Published

on

Laughter Meets Inspiration: Our Ladies Show Lands on The Roku Channel

A bold new sketch comedy series for women premieres June 13 across the U.S., U.K., and Canada — arriving on the back of a festival-winning run that has critics and audiences already paying attention.

It isn’t every day a brand-new comedy arrives already wearing a row of trophies. Our Ladies Show does. The seven-episode inspirational sketch comedy series — created, written by, and starring Christin Jezak — begins streaming on The Roku Channel on Friday, June 13, 2026, available free to viewers in the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada.

Produced in partnership with global media services leader Encompass Digital Media, the series sets out to do something rare in today’s streaming landscape: make women laugh out loud and leave them lifted. In a media moment crowded with noise and cynicism, Our Ladies Show is a deliberate counterweight — comedy with a conscience, built for women of every age and background.

A Show Built Around Real Life — and Real Laughs

Each of the seven episodes opens with a monologue from one of the cast members introducing the theme, then rolls into three or more sketches that hit the subject from every comedic angle. The series tackles the things women actually carry: holding grudges, comparison, beauty, patience, gift giving, the importance of community, and dealing with anxiety.

The comedy comes from a place of warmth rather than mockery — a “laugh at ourselves” spirit that runs through a gallery of unforgettable characters: a nosey neighbor, an overwhelmed mom, relentlessly optimistic flight attendants, beauty pageant winners past their prime, and a crew of unruly campers with a counselor who simply cannot hold it together.

Advertisement

Then the show does something most sketch series don’t. In the final segment of every episode, the cast gathers in a living-room setting and invites the audience in — sharing real inspiration drawn from the theme, the sketches, and their own personal stories. It’s the moment the laughter turns into something that stays with you.

The Women Behind the Show

Our Ladies Show brings together three performers with serious range:

  • Christin Jezak — creator, writer, and star (Miracle at Manchester, Raising Hope, Jimmy Kimmel Live!)
  • Hillary Hawkins — (Primal, Nick Jr.’s Play Along, Gullah Gullah Island)
  • Sarah Hernandez — (Nefarious, Unplanned, House of Payne)

“In a world with so much division and depression, I hope women of all ages and backgrounds will watch this show, laugh, be reminded of how beautiful, unique, and loved they are, and remember how much we need each other.”— Christin Jezak, Creator & Star

Already a Festival Favorite

The series’ recurring long-form sketch, Neighborhood Watch, didn’t arrive quietly. Originally released as a web series and revamped for Our Ladies Show with new footage, sound, and music, it has been sweeping the festival circuit:

  • 🏆 Best Webseries — 2026 New Media Film Festival (Los Angeles)
  • 🏆 Best Web/TV Series — Paris Film Awards
  • 🏆 Best Web Series — Dallas Movie Awards
  • 🏅 Additional wins at the London Movie Awards, Florence Film Awards, and Hollywood Gold Awards
  • 🎬 Official Selection — 2026 Harvard Divinity School Film Fest
  • ⭐ Finalist — Houston Comedy Film Festival
  • 📣 Three nominations — 2025 Content Christian Media Conference, including Best Actress in a TV and Web Series nods for both Christin Jezak and Sarah Hernandez

Where and When to Watch

Our Ladies Show premieres Friday, June 13, 2026, streaming on The Roku Channel — the home of premium and free entertainment — in the U.S., U.K., and Canada. All seven episodes deliver the series’ signature blend of sharp sketch comedy and genuine encouragement.

Click Here To Get Tickets

Watch the trailer now on your platform of choice:

For more information, visit www.ourladiesshow.com and follow @ourladiesshow on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.


About Christin Jezak

Christin Jezak has worked for over 15 years in the entertainment industry. She created and stars in Our Ladies Show and the award-winning web series Neighborhood Watch. She produced the EWTN TV program For the Sake of the Gospel and the all-women web series Ladies Keepin’ It Real, played Dr. Sam in Miracle at Manchester (starring Dean Cain, Daniel Roebuck, and Eddie McClintock), and voices Agnes in the podcast Confessions of a Catholic Single. She held a lead role in a short film for NTT Data directed by Academy Award–winning cinematographer Janusz Kamiński, has co-starred on Raising Hope, and appeared in Jimmy Kimmel sketches and a Grubhub Super Bowl commercial.

About The Roku Channel

Roku pioneered streaming on TV and is the #1 TV streaming platform in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico by hours streamed (Hypothesis Group, Dec. 2025). The Roku Channel is the home of premium and free entertainment, alongside Roku’s Howdy and Frndly TV services. Roku is headquartered in San Jose, California.

About Encompass Digital Media

Encompass Digital Media is a global managed services company — technology-driven, software-defined, and people-powered. Trusted by world-leading broadcasters, networks, sports rights-holders, and OTT platforms, it processes over 25,000 hours of content daily, serves 850 channels to 84 countries, distributes over 243,000 live events annually, and reaches 400 million radio listeners weekly worldwide. Learn more at www.encompass.tv.

Media & Interview Requests: To interview creator Christin Jezak or the cast, contact Christin at cjezak@p2ptheatre.com.

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Entertainment

What Filmmakers Should Actually Steal From Euphoria

Published

on

Most of the talk about Euphoria asks one question: was it realistic? That’s the wrong question if you make films. The better one is simpler. How did Sam Levinson get an audience to feel addiction from the inside? And what did it cost him to end the show the way he did?

Strip away the noise and Euphoria is a clinic in three choices: point of view, style, and the ending. Here’s what’s worth taking — and what isn’t.

1. Put the Camera Inside the Character

Most shows about drugs watch from across the room. Euphoria doesn’t. When Rue is high, the camera is high too. Walls breathe. Floors tilt. Time skips. You’re not watching her — you’re stuck inside her head.

That’s the lesson: point of view is a decision you make with the camera and the cut, not a mood you add later in color. Levinson builds it into the lens, the blocking, and the edit.

So before you shoot a scene through a character’s eyes, ask one thing on set: whose eyes is this lens standing in for? Then make every cut respect that.

2. Your Style Has to Mean Something

The glitter. The slow push-ins. The impossible club lighting. Euphoria‘s look got copied everywhere. That’s the trap.

Advertisement

The style worked because it carried weight. The beauty wasn’t decoration — it was the lie addiction tells you, the reason the next high looks worth it. The camera made self-destruction gorgeous on purpose.

The copies missed that. A thousand music videos took the look and left the meaning behind, and you can feel how hollow they are. So here’s the test: if your signature style could be swapped onto any other project and still “work,” it’s not a style. It’s a filter. Every choice should have a reason behind it.

3. The Ending Tells the Audience What It All Meant

When Euphoria ended for good in Season 3, Levinson killed Rue — an accidental, fentanyl-laced overdose. He called it “the honest ending,” saying he wanted to tell a true story about addiction and grief in a time when one mistake can be the last one. Reportedly, that wasn’t the original plan; the death of Angus Cloud, who played Fezco, changed the script.

Forget whether you agree with the choice. Study how it works. An ending is the last instruction you give your audience about how to read everything before it.

By ending on consequence instead of recovery, Levinson reframed seven years of beautiful chaos as a story about cost — not a celebration of it.

It’s also the show’s most debatable move, and that’s worth noticing too. A show that spent years making pain look beautiful had to fight to make that pain land as loss. Did it earn the ending, or enjoy the wreckage too long to stick it? Smart filmmakers will disagree — and that argument is exactly what a good ending is supposed to start.

Advertisement

What Not to Take

The neon grief is the most copied part. It’s also the least useful. Take the surface — the colors, the slow-mo, the trauma-as-texture — and you get the costume without the body.

The real craft is underneath. Commit your camera to a real point of view. Make every stylistic choice earn its place. Treat your ending as the point of the whole thing. Do that, and your work won’t look like Euphoria. It’ll do what Euphoria did.


This piece touches on addiction and substance use. If you or someone you know is struggling, support is available through the SAMHSA National Helpline at 1-800-662-4357.

Continue Reading

Trending