Bite of the Best

Planters has put a new twist on peanut butter with NUT●rition Energy Mix available in three varieties: Banana Granola Nut, Berry Nut and Cinnamon Raisin Granola Nut.

Each 1-ounce serving contains 180-190 calories, 2-2.5 grams saturated fat ( of 13-15 grams total), 130 milligrams sodium and 6-7 grams protein.

- Alyssa Tucker, Bite of the Best Intern: I loved the granola and nut pieces and how they gave the peanut butter a crunchy, yet flavorful, texture. I also love putting one of these new peanut butters on a bagel or muffin in the morning, making for an easy nutritious breakfast.

Crunch Pak has introduced apple slices infused with natural flavoring available in three flavors: Peach Mango, Grape and Strawberry Vanilla Cream.

These apple slices are a great source of vitamin C and each 2-ounce serving contains 35 calories, 0 grams total fat and  5 grams sugar.

- Alyssa Tucker, Bite of the Best Intern: I loved the convenience of the pre-cut apple slices in the small bag. Each added flavor was not over powering, so you can still taste the freshness of the apple.

Nut-allergies are on the rise and Skeeter Snacks is dedicated to providing nut-free snack options  made in a nut-free facility. Available in three flavors: Chocolate Chunk, Golden Oatmeal and Skeeter Doodle.

Each 1.4-ounce, two-cookie serving contains 170-190 calories, 3.5-7 grams saturated fat (of 0-7 grams total), 120-230 milligrams sodium and 14-21 grams sugar.

Saffron Road has introduced  new line of Frozen Phyllo Hors D’oeuvres in four flavors.

Each 2.75-ounce serving size contains 160-270 calories, up to 7 grams saturated fat (of 8-15 grams total), 160-240 milligrams sodium and 4-6 grams protein.

Good Food Made Simple has introduced  egg patties available in whole eggs or egg whites, that are ready in 80-seconds.

Each 2-ounce serving of the whole eggs contains 70 calories, 1.5 grams saturated fat (of 4 grams total), 140 milligrams sodium and 6 grams protein; the egg whites 35 calories, 0 grams saturated fat (of 0 grams total), 140 milligrams sodium and 6 grams protein.

 - bonnie: These egg patties make for a super-quick breakfast on the run prepared in less time than it takes to toast an English muffin. It’s especially for those who don’t want to dirty a pan cooking an egg.

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Capri Sun has expanded it’s line to include a fruit and vegetable drink that is available in three flavors: Apple, Berry and Fruit Punch. Each is 3/4  fruit juice and 1/4 vegetable juice. Each 177ml pouch contains 70 calories, 0 grams fat, 20 milligrams sodium and 14 grams sugar.

- Alyssa Tucker, Bite of the Best Intern: As a kid, I always loved Capri Sun, and now I love them even more because of this great tasting fruit and vegetable drink. The Apple is my because it is full of flavor and did not leave a chalky feeling in my mouth like other fruit drinks. It tasted like biting into a fresh apple.

Garden Lites makes side dishes, offering nine flavors of gluten-free, vegetarian, soy and nut-free, and certified kosher vegetable souffles.

Each 7-ounce serving contains less than 200 calories, 1-2 grams saturated fat (of 2-4 grams total), 135-650 milligrams sodium and 8-12 grams protein.

Surf Sweet introduced Spooky Spiders gummies made with organic fruit juice and sweeteners, available in four flavors: cherry, blueberry, tangerine and lime. These Halloween treats are allergy friendly, gluten free and a portion of each sale goes to EcoMom Alliance, a non-profit organization nurturing, connecting and empowering mothers to create a healthy and sustainable world.

Each serving of about 1.5-ounces contains 130 calories, zero fat, 15 milligrams sodium and 19 grams sugar.

- Alyssa Tucker, Bite of the Best Intern: These generously sized spider-shaped gummies had a very chewy, sweet taste. I liked how each spider is a little bigger than a quarter, so it doesn’t take a lot of spiders to satisfy my sweet tooth.

Pepperidge Farm Caramel Apple flavored Swirl Bread is available only through November 2012.

Each 1.3-ounce serving contains 120 calories, 0 grams saturated fat (of 2.5 grams total), 130 milligrams sodium, 7 grams sugar and 4 grams protein.

Fiber One has introduced Nutty Clusters and Almonds loaded with fiber.

Each serving of about 2-ounces contains 180 calories, 0 grams saturated fat (of 3 total), 230 milligrams sodium, 11 grams fiber and 23 grams whole grains.

- Alyssa Tucker, Bite of the Best Intern: I loved the crunchy texture of the cereal, as well as the rich flavor.

Mediterranean Snacks Lentil Crackers, the first bean-based snack, have recently hit shelves in three  flavors; Sea Salt, Rosemary Herb and Cracked Pepper. Each serving of about 1-ounce contains 110 calories, 0 grams saturated fat (of 3 grams total), 200 milligrams sodium and 5 grams protein.

- Alyssa Tucker, Bite of the Best Intern:My favorite of the line was Cracked Pepper because of their strong, almost spicy, pepper flavoring. Their slender, rectangular shape also makes them great to use with dips.

The Bites Company Biscotti Bites are bite-sized treats that satisfy sweet-tooth cravings without guilt. The Biscotti Bites are made from scratch, all-natural, with no preservatives, trans fat, or salt, and are available in six flavors.

Each serving size is 9 cookies provides 120 calories, 0.5 gram of fat and 1 gram sugar.

All natural, vegan, and gluten-free tortilla chipsmade with whole grains are now available in six flavors from Way Better Snacks.

One ounce of Way Better Snacks contains 130 calories, 0.5 grams of saturated fat (of 6 to 7 grams total), 80 to 100  milligrams sodium and 1 to 2 grams protein. Each serving has between 190-420 milligrams of healthy Omega 3 essential fatty acids and 17 grams of whole grains.

Bitsy’s Brainfood offers kids’ snacks that have an excellent source of iron, calcium, vitamins A, B 12, B6, D  and folic acid. All four flavors — Zucchini Gingerbread Carrot, Orange Chocolate Beet, Lemon Broccoli and Sweet Potato Oatmeal Raisin — are made with organic ingredients and all natural fruits and veggies and without preservatives, trans fat, artificial colors or flavors. They are in the shape of letters.

Each serving of about 1-ounce contains 110-120 calories, 2 grams saturated fat (of 4-4.5 grams total), 100 milligrams sodium and 2 grams protein.

- Alyssa Tucker, Intern with BiteoftheBest.com: I tried the Sweet Potato Oatmeal Raisin, liked the crunchy texture and found it surprisingly delicious.  I could taste mainly the oatmeal raisin flavor, which I love, but couldn’t discern the taste of sweet potato.

Alpina Restart is traditional Swiss yogurt combined with gluten free granola that contains a good source of protein and an excellent source of calcium.

The yogurt is available in Vanilla, Peach, Strawberry and Blueberry.  The yogurt contains 100 calories, 0 grams saturated fat ( of 0 grams total), 40 milligrams sodium and 11 grams protein per each 5.3-ounces;  the granola with 60 calories, 0 grams saturated fat (of 3 grams total), 35 milligrams sodium and 2 grams protein.

- Alyssa Tucker, Bite of the Best Intern: The strawberry flavor, a great flavorful breakfast option, was not too sweet like some yogurt flavors.  I loved the smooth texture of the yogurt with the crunchiness of the granola. I thought the serving size was perfect because it was just enough for a snack, but satiated me for a few hours. 

The brand that brought you Wonderful Pistachios, now offers Wonderful Almonds.

Each 1/4-cup serving of the Roasted and Salted contains 180 calories, 1 grams saturated fat (of 16 grams total), 100 milligrams sodium and 7 grams protein.

Tree Top Reduced Sugar 100% Fruit Juice is made without artificial sweeteners. Instead Tree Top blends  apple or grape juice with coconut water. It is available at select stores, currently mainly on the West Coast.

Each 8-fluid ounce serving of Apple and Grape juice contains 90-100 calories, 65 milligrams sodium and 17-18 grams sugar.

Belvita introduces new flavors of crunchy breakfast biscuits in Chocolate and Cinnamon Brown Sugar. 

Every pack of 4 biscuits contains 230 calories, 1.5 grams saturated fat (of 8 grams total) and 19 grams of whole grains or slightly more than one serving of the three recommended daily with 12% fiber.

Pacific Natural Foods has expanded it’s line of soup starts to include Organic Tortilla and Organic Tom Yum.

Each 1/2 cup, or 120 milliliter, serving size of the Tom Yum contains 10 calories, 0 grams saturated fat ( of 0 grams total), 330 milligrams sodium and 1 gram protein; the  Tortilla contains 15 calories, 0 grams saturated fat ( of 0 grams total), 290 milligrams sodium and 0 grams protein per 1/2 cup, or 120 milliliter, serving size.

Each base is gluten and fat free and the Organic Tortilla Soup base is dairy free and vegan approved.

- Alyssa Tucker, Bite of the Best Intern: The tortilla soup starter was a convenient, fast starter that still maintains the authentic, Mexican flavor. It was the perfect balance of spices, without being too spicy. 

Nature’s Own has introduced Oatmeal Toasters, a new breakfast option of whole grain squares available in Cinnamon Raisin or Cranberry Orange flavors.

Each 2.3-ounce square contains 160-170 calories, 0 grams saturated fat (of 1.5-2 grams total), 210-220 milligrams sodium, 4 grams fiber and 20 grams whole grains.

- bonnie: These are tasty — and somewhat filling — whole-grain on-the-run breakfast options.

Belle Chevre Pimento Cheese is a  handcrafted Alabama goat cheese made with a blend of spices and sweet red peppers. It’s available in a convenient 6-ounce package.

Each 1-ounce serving contains 100 calories, 6 grams saturated fat (of 8 grams total fat), 140 milligrams sodium and 6 grams protein.

- bonnie – We at Bite of the Best are champions of this small company. We recommend Belle Chevre’s goat cheese, featuring their Belle Go “Fig”ure Chèvre Breakfast Cheese in 2010.

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Breakfast burritos made from nitrate-free meats and without the use of hydrogenated oils are now available from Good Food Made Simple. Available in three varieties: Egg, Cheese & Canadian Bacon, Egg, Cheese & Turkey Sausage, Egg, Cheese & Potato

Each 5-ounce burrito contains 300-310 calories, 5 grams saturated fat (of 13-14 grams total), 460-650 milligrams sodium and 14-17 grams protein.

- bonnie: I like the clean labels of Good Food Made Simple products such as these burritos.   Meaning, these contain no chemical.  Sadly, though, there was too much dough for the filling, and the filling’s flavor was merely okay.