Bite of the Best

V8 V-Fusion Concord Grape Raspberry is packaged in 8-ounce cans and provides a serving of both vegetable and fruit.

TruMoo chocolate milk has no high fructose corn syrup both,  is produced in regional dairies and contains 15 to 20 percent less sugar than traditional chocolate milk.

The fat-free TruMoo milk is available to schools and contains 130 calories per serving and 10 grams added sugar; the 1% milk (available in stores) has 150 calories and 10 grams added sugar.

Ocean Spray has created Sparkling Juice Drinks that come in slim 8.4 ounce cans. The Ocean Spray Sparkling Juice Drinks have both regular Cranberry and Pomegranate as well as Diet Cranberry and Pomegranate Blueberry. The Diet Ocean Spray Sparkling Juice Drinks contain 8-to-12-percent-juice-containing and artificial sweeteners, while the regular Ocean Spray Sparkling Juice Drinks contain contain 70 percent juice.

Zola’s Açaí with Pomegranate Juice is an antioxidant featuring the juice of the Açaí berry with a splash of tart and tangy pomegranate that rounds out the flavor. Available in two sizes: 12-oz. and 32-oz. value-size. Zola’s Açaí is available in select natural food and grocery stores, and online through the Bite of the Best store.

A new line of 100% natural, low-calorie waters, infused with fruit and herbs, in three flavors, Cucumber Lemon Rosemary, Grapefruit Sage and Orange Basil. Aura is the only low-calorie water on the market to also include an entire serving of fruit in each bottle. Each flavor infuses water with real fruit and real herb extracts, yielding a crisp flavor. Each 15.2 oz. bottle delivers a full serving of fruit, with no added artificial flavors or sugar. Each serving of Aura delivers 45 calories and packs an assortment of vitamins, including 50% of the recommended daily value of Vitamins B3, B5, B6 and B12, as well as 100% of the recommended daily value of Vitamin C.

Celestial Seasonings recently introduced three new flavorful and functional products as part of their new Antioxidant Max Green Tea Line. These teas contain more flavonoid antioxidants than any other flavored green tea. Combining the health benefits and smooth taste of Celestial Seasonings green tea with delicious, nutrient-rich superfruits, these new wellness blends contain 35% more free radical-fighting flavonoid antioxidants than other leading flavored green teas and provide 20% of the recommended daily intake of Vitamin C with each serving.

V8 V-Fusion + Tea offers three varieties, each with a half a cup of fruit and veggies, 100 percent of the daily recommended value (DRV) of vitamin C and 15 percent of the DRV of vitamin A, with only 70 calories in an 8-ounce serving. The varieties of V8 V-Fusion + Tea are Raspberry Green Tea, Pomegranate Green Tea, and Pineapple Mango Green Tea. The V8 V-Fusion + Tea are available in supermarkets nationwide and retail between $1.79 – $3.99 depending on size.

The Formula, by Cirqua Customized Water, formulates a gallon of distilled water into the water for brewing a cup of tea or coffee. These packets are a patented blend of minerals, which when mixed with distilled water recreates the same water used in restaurants and coffee/tea shops.

One dose of The Formula, plus a gallon of distilled water is all it takes to reach the optimum mineral balance needed in the extraction of coffee, tea, cooking bread, pancakes or pizza dough. Each 2-tube packet includes on or more of the following minerals: Calcium Chloride, Potassium Bicarbonate, Sodium Bicarbonate and demineralized water

Guayaki Pure Body Peach Immune Support Blend is made completely from plant-based ingredients and is fortified with the immunity-boosting herbs Schisandra berry, Astragalus and Echinacea. Yerba mate, a nutrient-rich source of natural energy, contains 24 vitamins and minerals, 15 amino acids and a trio of stimulants (caffeine, theophylline and theobromine)

Guayakí Pure Body Peach Immune Support Blend contains 40 calories and only 40 milligrams of caffeine per serving – caffeine levels comparable to bottled iced tea or half a cup of coffee. As an added benefit, yerba mate is thermogenic and produces metabolic stimulation, which can help reduce appetite.

Pomegranate Blueberry is the newest flavor of Fruit2day, a healthy, on-the-go chilled fruit snack product. This all-natural snack offers consumers a convenient way to enjoy the goodness of fruit with two full servings in each bottle. With no added sugar and natural juices, Fruit2day has captured the imaginations of health-conscious consumers who are actively looking to get more fruit in their diets. Fruit2day comes in five flavor combinations: Cherry Grape, Mango Peach, Pineapple Banana, Strawberry Orange and Pomegranate Blueberry. The suggested retail price is $2.99 for a 2-pack and $1.49 for a single-serve.

The world’s first organic ready-to-drink meal replacement. Formulated by Dr. Andrew Abraham, to be the “healthiest drink in the world”, Orgain contains:
- 16 grams of organic protein, complex carbohydrates, fiber, and a synergistic immune and vitamin blend
- The antioxidant equivalence of 10 servings of fruits and vegetables, with ingredients that include  kale, beets, spinach, tomatoes, carrots, blueberries, bananas, acai and raspberries

Orgain retails for $3.59 per bottle and is available in Whole Foods, Wegman’s, and small natural/specialty grocery stores nationwide

Kefir is a healthy, drink/yogurt shake, and a staple in much of Europe. In recent months, Kefir has received praise in the US for its nutritional benefits and can be found in Target, Whole Foods, and all other leading grocery stores. Lifeway Kefir, a dairy drink, and Lifeway SoyTreat, its non-dairy cousin, have their roots more than 2,000 years ago in the Caucasus Mountains. The cultures in Lifeway Kefir alleviate the unpleasant side effects that can be associated with milk consumption, even in people who are lactose intolerant. Kefir also provides “good” bacteria in the form of 10 live probiotic cultures. Studies show that these bacteria enhance the immune system, promote gastrointestinal health, aid in vitamin and mineral absorption, cancer prevention, and may help lower blood cholesterol.

Crystal Light Pure Fitness is the brand’s first low-calorie fitness beverage mix with no artificial flavors, colors, preservatives or sweeteners. It’s sweetened with evaporated cane juice and Truvia, an all-natural, calorie-free sweetener derived from the stevia plant.

With 15 calories per 8-ounce serving and electrolytes to aid hydration, Pure Fitness provides an option for women on-the-go. Each packet will transform a 16.9-ounce bottle or glass of water into a light beverage. Pure Fitness is caffeine and gluten free, and one 8-ounce serving contains three grams of sugar.

The 8-ounce slim cans of V8 V-Fusion juice are part of Campbell’s North America Foodservice division’s effort to expand its line of beverages that meet the Alliance for a Healthier Generation’s nutritional requirements for products served in schools. Campbell added two new, on-trend varieties of V8 V-Fusion: Cranberry Blackberry and Acai Mixed Berry Light which are available in a variety of sizes, including 46-ounce bottles. The addition of these new varieties brings the V8 V-Fusion juice portfolio to 12 juices and juice drinks, including Goji Raspberry, Passionfruit Tangerine, Acai Mixed Berry, Pomegranate Blueberry, Pomegranate Blueberry Light, Strawberry Banana, Strawberry Banana Light, Peach Mango, Peach Mango Light and Tropical Orange.

Zola, maker of the first bottled Açaí juice, launched: Zola LIGHT Açaí, the world’s first low-sugar, low calorie, Açaí juice. Naturally sweetened with Stevia, Zola LIGHT Açaí uses Açaí pulp available to deliver just as many antioxidants (over 4,000 ORAC per bottle), Omega-3, 6 and 9 EFAs and energy as its Original Açaí Juice, but with 50 percent less sugar and nearly 50 percent fewer calories.

Bols Genever, considered to be one of the ‘original spirits’ from the 19th century cocktail era, will introduce modern-day drinkers to this reemerging and unique spirit category. Bols Genever is a blend of the unique multi-grain distillate called maltwine with a carefully selected and secret blend of botanicals; the result is a superior quality malty spirit with a unique smooth character at 42%. Imported by Cattani Imports, the re-birth of Bols Genever, considered to be one of the ‘original white spirits’, will introduce modern day drinkers to this re-emerging and unique spirit category.

Fruit2O Essentials is a zero-calorie water fortified with some of the vitamins, minerals and fiber found in two servings of fruit. There is no fruit juice in these bottles, only purified water with added vitamins, electrolytes, minerals and fiber. Fruit20 Essentials fortified water is available in six varieties, and is sold in supermarkets and retail stores nationwide for $1.29 to $1.49 per 18-oz bottle.

R.W. Knudsen’s non-alcoholic celebratory beverages are packed in champagne-style bottles. R.W. Knudsen beverages do not contain added sugar, artificial flavors or preservatives. The celebratory beverages are available nationwide at natural food stores and the natural section of your local grocery store.

SUSTA is a natural, low calorie, low-glycemic, antioxidant sweetening system that supports healthy blood sugar levels & energy. The SUSTA sweetener is available online and in select supermarkets and retail stores nationwide.

Honest Kids Appley Ever After is a light and refreshing apple variety of Honest Kids organic thirst quenchers. The Appley Ever After variety is available starting Fall 2009 and will retail at Whole Foods markets for between $3.99 to $4.99 per eight 6.75-oz pouches.

Naked Juice announced that it has become the first nationally-distributed brand to transition to a 100 percent post-consumer recycled plastic. The Naked Juice reNEWabottle is currently available nationally in a 32-oz bottle.

Ayala’s Herbal Waters are the first nationally available USDA-certified Organic flavored water on the market with zero calories, zero artificial additives and zero preservatives. Ayala’s herbal waters are available nationwide in 16-oz bottles.

Capri Sun Sunrise Juice Drink contains no artificial colors, flavors or preservatives and contains 100% Vitamin C and 10% Calcium. The new Capri Sun Sunrise drinks are available in a variety of new flavors.

Pacific Natural Foods Simply Coffee, Simply Tea and Simply Mate have released 12 new ready-to-drink organic beverages served in a one-of-a-kind aseptic prisma package. The new beverages are available as of June 2009.

Fruit2O Essentials is a zero-calorie fortified water that provides the nutrients found in two servings of fruit, in every bottle. Fruit2O Essentials are available in 18-oz bottles and in a variety of flavors.