27 Healthy Foods You Need to Try This Year
While all of us may be tempted to reach for the bright, shiny, and unfamiliar food products that are stocked in our grocery store shelves or spontaneously buy items spotted on Instagram, Brit + Co’s doing the hard part for you by taste-testing these new packaged foods to highlight only the good stuff. These options are for the health nut who may dabble in veganism or Whole30. While not everything on this list may be diet-approved, you can rest assured even the treats are notable for being organic and non-GMO. Let’s feast!
1. Alter Eco Dark Chocolate Coconut Clusters ($5): Salty-sweet toasted coconut flakes (sustainably harvested) and dried cherries are embedded in 70 percent fair-trade Ecuadorian chocolate. You can practically snack on these clusters like chips, because it only contains five grams of sugar per serving. And yet, these chocolatey snacks will quell any sweet cravings.
2. Après Sea Salt Chocolate ($6): The days of suffering through a Muscle Milk for fast, convenient recovery post-workout are over with this beverage which tastes like a French confection in chocolate milk form. Après contains 13 grams of plant-based protein (and only six grams of sugar) per bottle. In addition, electrolyte-rich coconut oil and filling organic virgin coconut oil make this packaged drink perfect for the girl on-the-go.
3. Alove Yogurt ($2): In Japan, yogurt with chewy aloe gel pieces is immensely popular, and now Morinaga, makers of silken tofu, are bringing the trend to America with Alove. Though the concept may sound strange, the texture is reminiscent of boba tea. The thick, slightly sweetened yogurt (made with California cow’s milk) contains little chewy cubes with a mild aloe flavor. Consider it a fun dessert alternative or post-workout snack when you need to cool down and rehydrate.
4. Beyond Meat: The Beyond Burger ($6): Alright, technically this product has been on the market for a little while at Whole Foods, Kroger, and Albertson’s and restaurants like TGI Fridays, Alamo Drafthouse, and Veggie Grill. Now, it’s officially mainstream and expanding to a location near you. The plant-based burger looks and cooks up just like raw beef, but it’s made from a blend of pea protein, coconut oil, and beets. Each patty contains an astonishing 20 grams of protein. The burgers char up nicely (with a pink interior) over a grill or stovetop (on a cast iron pan). Though it’s not identical to the flavor of beef, it’s the best vegan burger we’ve had and is filling to boot. Try it on a toasted pretzel bun if you know what’s good for you.
5. Cocavo Light ($11): Combine coconut and avocado oil and you have Cocavo, a new neutral-tasting, high-heat oil that you’ll want to slather on everything. Like coconut oil, Cocavo is solid at room temperature and yet has a green hue like avocados. We preferred the “Light” version which does not impart any flavor onto foods, just the rich mouthfeel. We can’t wait to try this when frying up tofu or roasting veggies, or even top it over cooked grains and psuedograins like quinoa.
6. Country Archer Turkey Stick Rosemary ($2): Attention, Paleo peeps: Snacking doesn’t have to be difficult. These meat sticks contain no sugar but they’re bursting with rosemary flavor and pack in a snack-sizable nine grams of protein.
7. Chuao Moon Bark Quinoa Berry Skies ($4): Calling all moon children; you’re going to want to get your hands on this new round bar from Chuao. The 72 percent dark chocolate features flamin’ ingredients like crispy puffed quinoa, tart goldenberries, and pink Himalayan sea salt for your snacking delight and “wandering spirit.”
8. GimMe Organic Seaweed Thins Almond Sesame ($4): If you already love nori snacks, you’ll be amazed by these salty-sweet, nutty snacks. Don’t be surprised if you eat the whole bag in one sitting, but that’s okay. These thins are actually low in calories and high in protein and fiber per bag.
9. Go Macro Dark Chocolate + Almonds ($3): A perfect post-workout snack, Go Macro’s new high-protein Macrobar line includes a new flavor you need to get your hands on. Peruvian dark chocolate and roasted almonds are swirled together with almond butter, brown rice syrup, and a blend of sprouted brown rice protein and pea protein. It tastes almost like healthy cookie dough and contains 10 grams of protein. Score!
10. Gr8nola ($8): Created by an athlete, this “clean” granola contains no soy, dairy, or refined sugars and is GMO-free. Our favorites from the line include Matcha Green Tea and Golden Turmeric. The unique flavors, distinct taste, and super crunchy texture keep us coming back for more. Try it with milk or topped over the yogurt of your choice.
11. Health Food Warrior Beauty Begins Within Dragon Fruit Chia Bars ($20 / 15 bars): These chewy chia bars star bright pink dragon fruit. The sweet-tart bars boast 1000 milligrams of Omega-3 (that’s at least twice your daily recommended value), so not only does this bar have a great flavor, it’ll actually aid in eye, skin, and mental health.
12. Impossible Burger ($16 at Umami Burger): For a meatless burger that really looks, tastes, smells, and sizzles up just like beef, get your hands on an Impossible Burger, available at restaurants only across the States, from burger chains like Umami Burger to smaller grills and upscale eateries. The blend of wheat, coconut oil, and potatoes doesn’t sound too far off from other veggie burgers on the market, but what makes the Impossible Burger authentically “meaty” is the addition of heme, an ingredient that is abundant in meat. However, Impossible Foods, makers of the burger, developed a way to extract heme from plants, ferment it, and add it to a veggie burger so that it looks like raw meat and cooks up just like it too (including achieving that coveted caramelized sear), and tastes practically indistinguishable from real beef. Forty Brit + Co employees had the chance to try the burger, loaded with 20 grams of protein, and even skeptical meat eaters loved the taste and said they would order it again — and even go vegetarian if they could eat this for every meal.
13. Izza Pop Strawberry ($4): Six clean ingredients transform into a tasty dairy-, gluten-, and soy-free pop. While vanilla and chocolate are excellent, the creamy, salty, fruity, and sweet strawberry is our fave.
14. Kayak Greek Frozen Yogurt: There may be poser Greek frozen yogurts on the market, but here’s one made by Greeks using authentic Greek strained yogurt. The sugar-free version uses a tad of stevia just to offset the tartness. The result is a luscious, thick frozen yogurt that begs to be topped with a drizzle of honey and fresh fruit, or whatever your heart desires.
15. Kevita Watermelon Rose Sparkling Probiotic Drink ($3): This non-alcoholic, fizzy pink drink tastes exactly like watermelon and rose water, but get this: it contains zero sugar or carbs. Despite being sweetened just a tad with stevia, it doesn’t taste artificial or cloying. You’ll want to sip this poolside.
16. My/Mo Mochi Cashew Cream Frozen Dessert ($7): One of the most exciting new vegan products on the market this year is this vegan mochi “ice cream” to be released in March. Unlike many dairy-free frozen desserts that rely on fragrant coconut cream for the base, this cashew cream treat is super smooth, rich, and neutral-tasting. We got a sneak peek sample and can vouch it tastes as good (if not better) than its dairy counterpart. As to be expected, the rice-dough wrapper is chewy and soft like marshmallows. The strawberry has a nostalgic taste, like Sanrio candy, and the vanilla is anything but boring. We’re waiting to try the salted caramel and chocolate, but we imagine the entire line is worth grabbing up.
17. Good Pop Orange N’ Cream ($6): Though the Cookies N’ Cream vegan pop is causing quite the stir, we really loved the Orange N’ Cream pop. With only nine grams of sugar, this coconut cream-based orangesicle is coated in an icy orange-and-carrot-juice shell for a little indulgence when you need it.
18. Nona Lim Shiitake Beef Bone Broth ($5): Made from bone broth, dried shiitake mushrooms, and ginger, this earthy soup comes in a convenient sip cup you can heat in the microwave then take on-the-go. Though it boasts six grams of protein and tastes comforting and wholesome on its own, we wouldn’t mind adding a little ramen or brown rice to the mix.
19. Pan’s Mushroom Jerky Zesty Thai ($9): Have you ever tried jerky made from mushrooms? Neither had we until this product. This recipe spans generations — the founder’s family is vegetarian and developed this unique method of seasoning and drying mushrooms so they mimic beef jerky. To top it off, this vegan jerky is certified gluten-free and Paleo.
20. Purity Organic Sparkling Watermelon ($5 / four cans): When it comes to sparkling water, Waterloo makes the best watermelon flavor. However, if you’re craving a soda and want a little sweetness in the mix, try Purity’s new sparkling drink, which gets its flavor from real watermelon juice. The can contains 15 percent juice, which amounts to roughly 20 calories and only three grams of sugar. Sweet!
21. Quinn Pretzels Classic Sea Salt ($4): These may be the best gluten-free pretzels we’ve ever encountered. Crunchy, just salty enough, and full of wholesomeness (i.e. all whole grains) you can taste, the GF pretzel twists will have you happily snacking indeed. Since sorghum’s the main ingredient, these taste ever-so slightly naturally sweet.
22. The Republic of Tea Apple Cider Vinegar Single Sips ($20): You’ve probably heard all the health benefits of drinking ACV, and now there’s a convenient way to get in on the good stuff on-the-go. Available on February 1, this Single Sips flavor tastes like slightly sweetened hibiscus tea with only a slight ACV tang. It’s an ideal workout drink or way to hydrate deliciously.
23. Ripple Greek-Style Yogurt ($2): We’ve tried many non-dairy yogurts on the market, and it’s been tough to find one that’s truly tasty. No surprise here; Ripple has cracked the code. This thick “Greek-style” yogurt, made from a pea protein base, clocks in at 12 grams of protein per container and has a similar texture, consistency, and tart finish to standard yogurt. All it needs is a sprinkle of granola, and you’ll be set.
24. Simple Mills Soft Baked Chocolate Chip Cookies ($5): Who knew a paleo cookie could actually taste so dang delicious? These soft and squishy cookies, made from almond flour, flax meal, and coconut oil, convincingly mimic conventional chocolate chip cookies. If you need a sweet fix but have dietary restrictions, these cookies may be for you!
25. Simply Balanced Kombucha Blueberry Grape ($3): Target now has its own line of kombuchas. Of the four flavors, Blueberry Grape is the one to pick up. Ultra fizzy, not too vinegary, and with a distinct blueberry-concord grape flavor, this kombucha tastes “simply balanced.”
26. Unisoy Mild Spicy Vegan Jerky ($7): While jerky has been all the rage in the last few years, 2018 is all about vegan varieties like Unisoy. Made with textured vegetable protein, the snack has the taste and texture of standard jerky, minus the meat and cholesterol. Both the Mild Spicy and Black Pepper flavors are our favorite, but you can’t go wrong with the Teriyaki either.
27. Wellnut Farms Salted Caramel Walnut Butter ($15): Fourth generation farmers decided to produce a nut butter from the walnuts they harvest from 50-year-old walnut trees. The results are insanely tasty, and salted caramel is our favorite from the lineup. With a texture that resembles buttercream frosting more than nut butter and a flavor that truly tastes like salty-sweet caramel, Wellnut Farms’s walnut butter needs to be in your cabinet for quick spoonful snacking. It’s brand new to the market, so if it’s not available at your supermarket, request it. Your taste buds will thank you.
For more snacking inspiration, keep coming back to this post — we’ll continue to update. In the meantime, follow us on Facebook for more food news.
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