The health food market is always being inundated with new products but occasionally, a few foodie finds stand out. I highlight three of my favs.
Kevita is a certified organic, non-dairy, non-GMO, gluten free and vegan line of probiotic drinks sans the dairy. What are probiotics?
Probiotics are beneficial bacteria that reside in the gut. Intestinal health depends, to a large extent, on having an ample supply of these beneficial bacteria in the digestive tract. Research indicates that probiotics may support immune and digestive health.
In today’s world our daily stress levels can be so high! Stress undermines our healthy digestive flora. A combination of a poor diet, medications, stress, environmental toxins and chemicals wreak havoc on our digestive tracts. Many believe that our bodies thrive with a constant influx of probiotics to replenish the gut and counteract these negative effects.
With tasty flavor combinations like Strawberry Acai coconut, Pomegranate, Lemon ginger, and Mojito, I’m pretty sure you’ll find one you like. There are a total of 8 flavors and I will make to have everyone just because. So far, I’ve tasted the Pomegranate Coconut, Lemon Ginger Cleanser, and Coconut. All of them were equally good. It is a quick way to get your digestive eco-system in check.
Sprouted grains and flours have been coming onto the scene in the last three years. Why sprouted grains? “Sprouted grains are richer in vitamin A, vitamin C, B vitamins, calcium, iron, magnesium and potassium, with fewer calories and carbohydrates.” And subsequently are the flours made from these grains.
One Degree touts a line of organic and veganic products ranging from flours to organic breads and seeds like flax and hemp. What make this co even more attractive is that by scanning the QR codes on the back of your One Degree package, your able to trace who grew and cultivate the grains for your product. Now you get to really know where your packaged food product is from.
Now that I don’t consume sugar, I was itching to find alternatives that provided a level of sweetness that would satisfy cravings but also I could use minimally and not fall down the sugar hole again.
Xyloburst makes both Coconut Palm Sugar and Xylitol. Coconut Palm Sugar looks like sucanat but less of the molasses flavor. It is an unrefined sweetener that is made from the nectar of coconut palm trees. It is high in potassium, magnesium, zinc, and iron and is a natural source of vitamins B1, B2, B3, B6 and vitamin C. With a glycemic rating of 35, it is slowly absorbed by the blood stream.
Xylitol is another sweetener that you will frequently see in sugarless products such as gum. Unlike sugar, xylitol does not promote tooth decay. It was originally derived from birch trees but many other xylitol companies on the market have been deriving it from corn. I prefer my xy from Xyloburst since it is still derived from birch. It has 40% fewer calories and 75% fewer carbohydrates then sugar and has a glycemic index of 7. When using it as a replacement for sugar in recipes, the ration is 1 to 1. I feel as though it is more readily absorbed when used in foods but be mindful using too much in drinks like tea, as it can cause stomach problems and diarrhea if you use too much. And I really mean too much. So far, it has been great in my baked goods. I’ll be posting recipes over the next few weeks using both sweeteners.
What are some of your fav new health products?
