Trends: Gluten-Free

millet chia gluten-free bread

Gluten-free products were everywhere at Natural Products Expo West. If you haven't noticed a sharp increase in the number of gluten-free products available at health food or grocery stores, you will if this show was any indication. If you aren't familiar with gluten-free foods, they are used by people with Celiac disease and gluten intolerances, but also by people who on certain diets and those who want to get a variety of grains in their diet. Of the gluten-free breads I sampled, I liked the Millet-Chia bread by Udi's. Flavorful but not too strong tasting. Hopefully my kids will like … [Read more...]

Trends: Raw Food Products

flax crackers

There are many new raw food products on the horizon. At Natural Products Expo West, I was happy to see several raw flax and hemp seed crackers (heating has an adverse effect on the essential fatty acids in the seeds). I tried these crackers, by a new company called Doctor in the Kitchen, and thought they were good. Go Raw's Flax Snax and Spirulina Super Chips were also very good. … [Read more...]

Trends: Cocoa Products

cocoa supplement

There were many new cocoa products at Natural Products Expo West. You may have noticed a greater variety of cocoa products, such as raw cocoa powder and cacao nibsĀ in health food stores. At my local grocery store, there is a large display of cocoa nibs by the checkout area. Unsweetened cacao nibs are bitter. I would love to find out how people use them in snacks or recipes. Cocoa was also found in supplements at Expo West, as there is interesting research suggesting that cocoa flavanols may improve cognitive performance and reduce inflammation in people at risk for heart disease. … [Read more...]

Trends: Superfruits

goji berries

Everything from maqui berry, acai, Saskatoon berries, goji berry to elderberry and the classics (blueberries, cranberries, etc), superfruits were everywhere at Natural Products Expo West. They were available in many forms, such as powdered, dried, and liquid (in beverages). Lots of freeze-dried berry snacks this year. … [Read more...]

Trends: Vegan Protein Powder

vegan protein powders

Good news for people who follow a vegetarian or vegan diet or those looking for an alternative to whey protein powder: there are some great vegan protein powders coming on the market. These would work well in smoothies. I have yet to try the samples I received atĀ Natural Products Expo West, but one that looks promising is Vegan Proteins+ by Genuine Health. The protein sources are pea, sprouted brown rice, cranberry, alfalfa and hemp. The hemp protein powder by Manitoba Harvest also looked good and it comes in vanilla and chocolate flavors. … [Read more...]