Foods at the Natural Foods Expo

Attending the Natural Foods Expo in Los Angeles last week was like an adult Disneyland.  Finding new foods and products was like a treasure hunt in waiting.

Since many companies exhibit their wares, navigating what is really healthy can be tricky.  For this blog I decided to mention the finds that were both interesting and helpful to your health with links to the sites so you can see them for yourself.

My favorite food of all time is peanut butter but with all the nut allergies in children I set out to find a replacement.  I happened upon Once Again Nut Butter, a Sunflower Butter, made of organic sunflower seeds which has a smooth consistency with a nice buttery taste perfect on an apple or banana.  It makes a great alternative to tree nut butters for those with allergies.

Next on my list was searching for interesting beverage choices free of sugar, sweeteners or fake sweeteners.  I met the regional manager, Jason Webb, for HINT water – a favorite of mine – which are waters with exotic flavors of strawberry-kiwi, mango-grapefruit, and others which nothing but water and natural flavors – a surprise treat taste.

The other beverage I found appealing was a line of iced teas called Tea’s tea.  On my road trip to a conference in Denver I was amazed at the lack of iced teas available without sweeteners or sugars.  I tasted the Golden Oolong and felt like I was in a Japanese restaurant enjoying authentic tea.  They have 9 flavors, all without sweeteners or additives.  The company claims they are brewed from premium loose teas.  From what I tasted I can believe it, being the tea snob that I am.

Next I stumbled upon nicobella dark chocolate truffles.  Registered Dietitian Nichole Dandrea moved from New Jersey to California last year to start her own company and now has a line of 6 decadent all natural dark chocolates that create a burst of natural chocolate and infused flavors in your mouth all at once.  You can learn more about her story and passion for healthy treats on her site.

And with all my preaching about getting your omega 3’s I happened upon Carrington Farms organic ground flax seeds.  They have little portion sized vacuum sealed packets perfect for travel.  Since ground flax seed needs to be refrigerated to maintain the freshness of the oils, the vacuum sealed packets are necessary.  Best of all you don’t have to miss this important ALA supplement when you go out of town.

I found some other interesting products along my journey but I am saving them for future blogs so stay tuned!