Natural Products Expo East 2014
I love my job! I recently returned from 4 days of trendspotting at Natural Products Expo East 2014 in Baltimore, Maryland. After walking miles around the trade show floor and tasting WAY too many samples, I’ve chosen my 5 favorite products from Expo East 2014. These are in no particular order:
1. Drop2O water enhancer:
Do you or members of your family have difficulty drinking the recommended daily amount of water? You are not alone. However, until now the water enhancers on the market have been filled with food dyes, sugar or artificial sweeteners. I’m a girl who loves flavored seltzer/sparkling water but not chemicals or dyes. Drop2O is the answer! Just a small squirt in your water bottle adds great flavor and none of the guilt. The first mint leaf based water enhancer is available in 6 flavors, each bottle contains enough flavoring for 24 water bottles. Available flavors are Strawberry Mint, Pomegranate Mint, Orange Mint, Peach Mint, Orange Mint and Spearmint Mint. Which would you choose?
2. Way Better Snacks: (www.gowaybetter.com)
Sprouted grains are all the rage. The sprouting of grains increases many of the key nutrients, including B vitamins, vitamin C, folate, fiber, and essential amino acids often lacking in grains, such as lysine. Sprouted grains may also be less allergenic to those with grain protein sensitivities. Read more about them at the whole grains council website here. Some like it hot, and Way Better Snacks offers Simply Spicy Sriracha Corn Tortilla Chips which are delicious and nutritious. Ingredients include organic sprouted flax and quinoa, kale, non-GMO corn, sea salt and sunflower/safflower oil. YUM! Another favorite of mine is their Pumpkin Cranberry Tortilla Chips available as a seasonal flavor. They are certified gluten free, non-GMO project verified, Kosher and vegan. Woo-hoo!
3. Good Food Made Simple: (www.goodfoodmadesimple.com)
We all love the convenience of microwavable meals from time to time, some more than others. Good Food Made Simple is a brand that offers really tasty oatmeal, breakfast bowls, entrée wraps and burritos, and several varieties of mac and cheese. The upside- NO artificial or chemical preservatives, additives, artificial colors, artificial flavors, artificial sweeteners, sugar substitutes or hydrogenated oils. No orange powder in their mac and cheese either, instead, when you need a fix you will enjoy real Cabot cheese. Check out their unacceptable ingredients list to see all the bad stuff you won’t find in Good Food Made Simple products. There’s something for everyone in your family.
4. Better ‘n Peanut Butter (www.betternpeanutbutter.com)
With 85% less fat and 40% fewer calories than peanut butter, Better ‘n Peanut Butter is a dieter’s dream. I’ve loved it for years, yet many are just discovering this versatile product line. Think way beyond PB and J, and enjoy some on your apple or as a lower calorie substitute for peanut butter in your favorite PB recipe. A 2 tablespoon serving contains only 100 calories, 2g sugar and less than 3 grams of fat vs 16g in traditional peanut butter. The big bonus? Better’n Peanut Butter contains no preservatives and is gluten free, dairy free, Kosher and non-GMO project verified! Flavors include: Original, Low Sodium, Chocolate, Banana, Maple Bacon, Chocolate Cinnamon, Chocolate Raspberry, and Chocolate Coconut. Think of the culinary possibilities! Which flavor do you want to try?
5. Wild Planet Foods tuna, sardines and anchovies: (www.wildplanetfoods.com)
Wild Planet Foods offers sustainably caught seafood high in omega 3s and significantly lower in mercury than other brands. Their pole & troll caught tuna is considered a “Best Choice” for sustainability by a consensus of environmental organizations, including the Monterey Bay Seafood Watch Program. This 100% albacore tuna averages 1300mg of omega 3s per 2 ounce serving which is 4-6 times more than conventional brands. The other major benefit- no need to drain the tuna! The natural juices absorbs quickly once you mix it in a bowl. Try their sardines and anchovies as well! So easy, delicious and healthy!
*Disclosure: Wild Planet Foods is a client of Nutrition Starring YOU, I was not compensated for this post.
It was so difficult to choose only five products! Which one sounds the most interesting to you? Please leave a comment if you have enjoyed any of the items included in my review. Would love to know what you think!
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