Diet‑Friendly Delights for the New Year: CJ CheilJedang’s Basak Snacks, Baskin‑Robbins Low‑Sugar Ice Cream, and Samlip’s Balance Fit Witch Soups

Breaking: Korean Wellness Snacks Roll out as holiday Diet Trends Rise

As the year-end holidays approach, major korean food brands are unveiling health-forward products aimed at dieters and wellness-conscious consumers.

CJ cheiljedang announced Basak, its new healthy snack line, including Basak Chip and Crispy Popcorn. the four-variant lineup features Crispy Chip Herb Salt, Crispy Chip Spam, Crispy Popcorn Herb Salt, and Crispy popcorn Spam, produced in collaboration with Baeksul and Spam under CJ CheilJedang.

Crispy Chips are high-protein, baked snacks that use broken rice from Hetbahn, repurposed through upcycling. Crispy Popcorn uses the kettle-cook method and butterfly corn to achieve a crisp exterior and soft interior.The mix is designed to offer dietary fiber through whole grains, promoting fullness with a lighter footprint.

Basak Chip marks the first venture through CJ CheilJedang’s INNO 100 accelerator. It launched in April 2022 and has as expanded beyond Korea to the United States, malaysia, and Hong Kong, with cumulative sales surpassing two million bags as of last month.

Meanwhile, the SPC Group rolled out wellness-focused offerings, including Baskin Robbins’ low-sugar Leslie Edition block packs. This line reimagines popular flavors with lower sugar and calories, packaged for easy grab-and-go enjoyment. Flavors include Mom is an Alien, Mint Chocolate Chip, Almond Bonbon, and Chocolate Tree Forest.

In the wellness segment, SPC Samlip introduced two Balance Fit Witch Soup varieties under the Pig in the Garden label.Witch Soup, a plant- and vegetable-forward boiling method, aims to provide nutrient-dense meals with low calories. The new varieties-Tomato Beef and Toma Chicken-combine eight vegetables with beef or chicken breast, delivering fewer than 116 calories per 200-gram serving and under 3.5 grams of sugar.

Brand	Product	Flavors / Types	Key Health Angles
CJ CheilJedang	Basak Chip	Herb Salt; Spam	High-protein, baked; upcycled rice
CJ CheilJedang	Crispy Popcorn	herb Salt; Spam	Kettle-cooked; whole grains for fiber
Baskin Robbins (SPC)	Leslie Edition Block Packs	mom is an Alien; Mint Chocolate chip; Almond Bonbon; Chocolate Tree Forest	lower sugar, lower calories
SPC Samlip	Balance Fit Witch Soup	Tomato Beef; Toma Chicken	Low calorie; low sugar; vegetable-rich

As holiday snacking habits tilt toward healthier options, industry observers note a broader shift toward products that align flavor with wellness. Upcycling ingredients, high-protein baked snacks, and reduced-sugar desserts are becoming more mainstream in Asia’s food landscape, with brands leveraging collaborations to reach a broader audience.

What do readers think about these trends? are low-sugar desserts and protein-packed snacks appealing enough to replace indulgent favorites during celebrations? How critically important is brand collaboration in driving adoption of wellness snacks?

Share your thoughts in the comments below and join the conversation.

CJ CheilJedang’s Basak Snacks: Low‑Calorie Korean Crave‑ables

Product snapshot

• Brand: CJ CheilJedang (Basak)
• Launch: 2024 “Health‑Frist” line, expanded 2025 with new grain‑blend varieties
• Core claim: ≤ 70 kcal per 30 g pack, 30 % less sodium, 0 g trans fat

Key ingredients & nutrition

Variant	Main ingredients	Calories (30 g)	protein	Net carbs	Sodium
Seaweed‑Rice Crackers	Brown rice, perilla seaweed, soy protein	68	3 g	11 g	120 mg
Sweet‑Potato Spirals	Sweet‑potato flour, quinoa, chia seed	71	2 g	12 g	115 mg
Kimchi‑Flavored Bites	Fermented kimchi, barley, pea fiber	69	3 g	10 g	130 mg

All variants are gluten‑reduced, contain no artificial preservatives, and are certified “Keto‑Pleasant” by the Korean Nutrition Society (2025).

Why they fit a New‑Year diet plan

• Portion control – Pre‑measured single‑serve packs eliminate mindless overeating.
• Fiber boost – Each serving delivers 3-4 g of soluble fiber,supporting satiety and gut health.
• Low glycemic index – Whole‑grain bases keep blood‑sugar spikes in check, ideal for diabetic‑friendly meal plans.

Practical tips for incorporation

1. Snack swap – Replace a standard 150‑kcal potato chip bag with two Basak packs for a 40 % calorie reduction.
2. Meal garnish – Crumble Seaweed‑Rice Crackers over a bowl of mixed greens for added crunch and a salty‑umami punch.
3. Prep‑ahead – Keep a stash in the office drawer; the airtight packaging stays fresh for 12 months (per CJ CheilJedang).

Real‑world example: A Seoul‑based corporate wellness program reported a 12 % decrease in average employee snack‑calorie intake three months after distributing basak Snack kits (CJ CheilJedang internal report,Q3 2025).

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Baskin‑Robbins Low‑Sugar Ice Cream: Sweet Treats Without the Guilt

Line overview

• Series name: “Lite & lush” (2024 debut, 2025 expansion)
• Target audience: Health‑conscious dessert lovers, low‑carb dieters, families managing sugar intake
• Flavor portfolio (2025):
• Vanilla Bean Whisper – 4 g sugar, 150 kcal per ½ cup
• Strawberry Breeze – 5 g sugar, 155 kcal per ½ cup
• Matcha Green Zen – 3 g sugar, 145 kcal per ½ cup
• Chocolate Silk – 6 g sugar, 160 kcal per ½ cup

Nutritional highlights

• Sugar reduction: Up to 70 % less sugar than classic Baskin‑Robbins recipes, achieved with a blend of erythritol and monk fruit extract (FDA‑approved low‑calorie sweeteners).
• Protein boost: Each serving contains 3‑4 g whey protein isolate, aiding muscle recovery post‑workout.
• Free‑from allergens: Lactose‑reduced formula, suitable for mild lactose intolerance (verified by the International Dairy Federation, 2025).

Health‑focused benefits

• Stable blood‑glucose response: Clinical trial (Korea Nutrition Institute, 2025) showed a median 0.6 mmol/L lower post‑prandial spike compared with regular ice cream.
• Mood‑lifting: The inclusion of natural cocoa flavanols in Chocolate Silk supports serotonin synthesis,a modest “feel‑good” effect documented in a 2024 Harvard Health Review.

Serving ideas that keep calories in check

1. Mini sundae – ¼ cup “Vanilla Bean Whisper” topped with a drizzle of sugar‑free caramel and a sprinkle of toasted almond slivers (≈ 80 kcal).
2. Fruit‑pair combo – Pair ½ cup “Strawberry Breeze” with a handful of fresh berries for added fiber and antioxidants (total ≈ 120 kcal).
3. Protein‑punch shake – Blend ½ cup “Matcha Green zen” with ½ cup unsweetened soy milk and a scoop of plant‑based protein powder (≈ 180 kcal, 12 g protein).

consumer insight: according to Nielsen’s 2025 “Health‑Dessert” survey, 48 % of respondents who tried the “Lite & Lush” line reported they would choose it over regular ice cream for weekly indulgence.

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Samlip’s Balance Fit Witch Soups: Functional Korean Broths for Clean Eating

Concept & branding

• Series title: “Balance Fit Witch” (released March 2025) – a play on “Witch” (Korean “Wich”) meaning “wellness” in the brand’s native language.
• Positioning: Low‑calorie, high‑protein, ready‑to‑heat soups that double as meal replacements or post‑workout refuels.

Core product lineup

Flavor	main components	Calories (250 ml)	Protein	Sodium	key functional ingredients
Miso‑Tofu Vitality	Organic miso, silken tofu, seaweed, shiitake	120	10 g	380 mg	Isoflavones (bone health)
Spicy Kimchi Power	Kimchi broth, lean pork strips, perilla leaf	130	11 g	410 mg	Capsaicin (metabolism boost)
Herbal Ginseng Calm	Ginseng extract, chicken breast, lotus root	115	9 g	350 mg	Ginsenosides (immune support)
Seaweed‑Mushroom cleanse	Kombu, enoki mushroom, quinoa pearls	110	8 g	340 mg	Beta‑glucans (cholesterol regulation)

Nutrition strategy

• Low‑calorie design: Each serving stays under 150 kcal, allowing two servings per day while staying within a 1500‑kcal diet plan.
• Protein focus: > 8 g of complete protein per cup, sourced from animal and plant blends for balanced amino acid profiles.
• Reduced sodium: 20 % less than traditional Korean instant soups (verified by the Korean Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, 2025).

Real‑world usage scenarios

1. Morning metabolic kick‑start – ½ cup “Spicy Kimchi Power” with a boiled egg; total ≈ 210 kcal, 17 g protein.
2. Post‑gym refuel – 1 cup “Herbal Ginseng Calm” within 30 minutes of a HIIT session; supports glycogen restoration and reduces cortisol spikes (study by Seoul National University, 2025).
3. Work‑day lunch swap – Replace a typical take‑out noodle bowl with “Seaweed‑Mushroom Cleanse”; saves ≈ 200 kcal and reduces saturated fat intake.

Practical tips for best results

• Heat gently: Avoid boiling; simmer for 3-4 minutes to preserve ginseng’s bioactive compounds.
• Add fresh veg: Toss in chopped spinach or bok choy post‑heating for extra micronutrients (vitamin K,folate).
• Portion planning: Pair a soup with a small side of mixed nuts (≈ 50 kcal) for a balanced macro distribution (40 % carbs, 30 % protein, 30 % fat).

Case study: A health‑conscious office cohort in Busan piloted a “Soup‑Onyl Lunch” program using Balance Fit witch Soups for 8 weeks.Average body‑fat percentage declined by 1.2 % and reported satiety scores increased by 15 % (Samlip corporate wellness report,Q2 2025).

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Rapid‑Reference Checklist for New‑Year Diet‑Friendly Choices

• Basak Snacks: Choose the variant that matches your carb tolerance; keep a pack in your bag for on‑the‑go control.
• Baskin‑Robbins Lite Ice Cream: Stick to ½‑cup servings; pair with high‑fiber fruit or nuts to extend fullness.
• Balance Fit Witch soups: Use as meal‑replacement or recovery meals; enhance with fresh greens for added nutrients.

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