Bite of the Best

Cape Cod  has introduced a new line of chef-developed kettle-cooked chips in two varieties, Chef’s Recipe Feta & Rosemary and Roasted Garlic & Red Pepper.

A 1-ounce 18-chip serving of  Roasted Garlic & Red Pepper one contains 140 calories, 0.5 grams saturated fat (of 6 grams total fat), 95 milligrams sodium and 2 grams protein; the Feta & Rosemary 140 calories, 0.5 grams saturated fat (of 7 grams total fat), 115 milligrams sodium and 2 grams protein.

Fresh Stacks are baked Ritz crackers, packed in smaller sizes to make the crackers accessible on the go. Each 5-cracker serving contains 80 calories, 1 gram saturated fat of 4.5 grams total fat, 105 milligrams sodium and 5 grams whole grains.

Lundberg Family Farms has introduced organic rice chips in two flavors Cracked Black Pepper and Spicy Black Bean made with USDA Certified organic brown rice. They contain 17 to 18 grams of whole grains, 0.5 grams of saturated fat of 6 grams of total fat and 2 grams of protein per 9-chip serving.  These chips made with organic ingredients and are gluten-free, wheat-free, vegan and non GMO verified.

- bonnie: These are truly yummy – crisp and flavorful – I only wish they had more fiber!
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Justin’s newly released Milk Chocolate Almond and Peanut Candy Bars are gluten-free and use organic chocolate.

Compared to Snickers, the leading competitor,  Justin’s candy bars have 25 percent less sugar, 50 percent more protein and 100 percent more fiber. The Dark Chocolate variety has 260 calories, 6 grams saturated fat (of 14 grams total fat), 21 grams sugar, 5 protein and 2 grams fiber; Milk Chocolate Almond has 280 calories, 5 grams saturated fat (of 16 grams total fat), 22 grams sugar, 5 protein and 2 grams fiber; and Milk Chocolate Peanut  270 calories, 6 grams saturated fat (of 14 grams total fat), 23 grams sugar, 6 grams protein and 2 grams fiber.

Peter Rabbits Organics has five new flavors of their fruit and veggies purees in 4.4-ounce pouches that are BPA-free as and resealable.

The new fruit flavors Peach and Apple (60 calories and 13 grams sugar), Pear and Apple (60 calories and 10 grams sugar) Banana and Apple (70 calories and 10 grams sugar), Pear and Pea  (80 calories and 14 grams sugar(, and Pumpkin, Carrot and Apple (70 calories and 9 grams sugar) per pouch.

Teddy Graham crackers introduced Soft Paws, a kid friendly cracker in two varieties. Made with no hydrogenated oil, high high fructose corn syrup, artificial flavors or colors, these are a good source of calcium, iron and zinc.

The Apple Cinnamon flavor contains 110 calories,  1 gram saturated fat of 2.5 grams total fat and 1 gram protein per ~1-oounce piece. Oatmeal Raisin contains 110 calories 1 gram saturated fat of 2.5 grams total fat and 2 grams protein per ~1-ounce piece.

Adding to their already existing line of gluten-free pretzel products, Snyder’s has introduced a 100-calorie gluten-free pretzel pack that are certified gluten-free by the Gluten-Free Certification Organization. They are also dairy-, casein-and egg-free pretzels. Each 0.9 ounce serving size contains 100 calories, 0.5 grams saturated fat (of 1.5 grams total fat) and 220 milligrams of sodium.

Dill, Sea Salt and Olive Oil is the latest flavor from Triscuit made with 100% whole grain wheat plus fresh dill and olive oil. Each 6-cracker serving contains 0.5 grams saturated fat of 4.5 grams total fat and 3 grams protein with 22 grams of whole grains.

bonnie: A tasty addition to the Triscuit line
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Nature Valley introduced All Natural Protein Bars  to their line of granola bars. Available in Peanut Butter Dark Chocolate and Peanut, Almond and Dark Chocolate. Each 1.4-ounce (40 gram) bar contains 3.5 grams saturated fat (of 12 grams total fat) and 10 grams of protein.

bonnie – and they’re mighty tasty — with my favorite  the Peanut, Almond and Dark Chocolate.
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Yoplait has introduced Trix yogurt snacks that are made without artificial colors, artificial flavors, artificial sweeteners or high fructose corn syrup. Each  contains 0.5 grams saturated fat of 1 gram total fat and 3 grams protein per 4-ounce cup. The yogurt contains natural colors and is a good source of calcium and vitamin D.

Marshmallow Mischief rice crispy treats are made from organic brown rice and sugar. They are gluten and gelatin free and vegetarian.

Unopened they keep in the fridge or freezer up to 6 months;  once opened they should be eaten within seven days.

Italian Kiss (hazelnut and chocolate milk) and Tall, Dark & Crispy (dark cocoa) are the two most popular flavors from the 49 offered.

The Laughing Cow added two new flavors — White Cheddar and Sharp Original — of
Mini Babybel Cheese individual portions

The White Cheddar flavor contains 75 calories with 4 grams saturated fat of 5 grams total fat and 4 grams of protein per piece;  The Sharp Cheddar has 60 calories with 3 grams saturated fat of 5 grams total fat and 4 grams of protein.

YoCrunch introduced Pie Parfaits in three flavors —Triple Berry Pie, Apple Pie and Cherry Pie. Each 4-ounce cup contains 120 calories, is rBST free and Kosher certified.

Triple Berry Pie has 1 gram saturated fat of 2 grams total fat and 3 grams of protein; Cherry Pie contains 1 gram saturated fat of 1.5 grams total fat and 3 grams protein; and,  Apple Pie contains 0 grams saturated fat of 1 gram total fat and 3 grams protein. Found nationally  in a four 4-ounce cup multipack.

bonnie:  These are very sweet with up to 19 grams sugar per tiny cup, so I’d suggest eating one in lieu of pie after dinner but not for breakfast.    I only recommend the Triple Berry Pie as it has the most natural ingredients.  
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Walkers Shortbread offer a shortbread cookie in a new Walkers Shortbread Scottie Dog Tin with proceeds going to The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

Each tin contains 18 Scottie Dog shaped pure butter shortbread made with all natural ingredients. These are Kosher Certified.

- bonnie : I learned that for every purchase of the Scottie Dog products throughout 2012, 10 cents is donated to the ASPCA, 3 of which goes to their administration and 7 of which goes to the initiatives the ASPCA completes.

The Good Bean has launched Fruit and No-Nut Bars that are nut, gluten, GMO and hexane free. Made with Fair Trade ingredients, these bars come in three varieties Apricot Coconut, Chocolate Berry and Fruit and Seeds Trail Mix.

Apricot Coconut has 1.5 grams saturated fat or 4.5 grams of total fat and 5 grams of protein; Chocolate Berry has 1 gram saturated fat of 5 grams total fat and 5 grams of protein; and Fruit and Seeds Trail Mix has 0.5 grams saturated fat of 5 grams total fat and 5 grams proteins.

Beanfields chips are made from beans & rice – no corn, no gluten and no GMOs.  This crunchy chip contains 140 calories, 5 grams total fat, no saturated fat,  4 grams protein and a hefty 4 grams fiber in every ounce serving.

Beanfields is a family-owned company that’s all about beans, as they believe beans are good for our families, good for our farmers, and good for our planet.

3 Musketeers is releasing a new Coconut flavored bar. This new variety is a coconut flavored nougat covered with chocolate.

- bonnie : “Where’s the coconut?” I wondered one bite of this new candy. It’s no Mound or Bounty candy bar, instead just a 3 Musketeers with added artificial coconut flavor - indiscernible, I might add. 
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Sara Snacker recently added S’mores to their line of cookies. Made with crushed graham cracker, sweet marshmallows, and chocolate chips, these cookies are found nationally at The Fresh Market stores. These ingredients are all natural and Kosher certified.

Activia Harvest Picks are the new addition to the Activia yogurt line. Harvest Picks come in four flavors Strawberry, Peach, Mixed Berries, Cherry and contain real fruit pieces. Each 4 ounce cup contains 2.5 grams of saturated fat of  3.5 grams of total fat, and 110 calories.

Made by hand in cooper kettles, Chicago Mix popped corn is the new product from G. H Cretors made with all natural ingredients that are kosher certified, gluten free and GMO free.  Carmel corn, cheese and a mushroom variety popping corn are mixed together to form this new blend. Available online at amazon.com or in select natural food stores and mainstream grocery stores.

- bonnie: This is an interesting mixture of sweet and salty that disappeared whenever I served it.
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Wheat Thins introduced a whole grain line with four varieties, Original, Hint of Salt, Reduced fat, and BIG!. These crackers have 140 calories, have 2 grams fiber and 21 grams of whole grains per 10 to 16-cracker serving.

Annie’s Extra Cheesy Cheddar Bunnies are crunchy bunny-shaped crackers made with real cheddar cheese, organic wheat and Organic Valley cheddar cheese. They contain zero trans fats.

Balance Bar Company launched Balance Bar BARE Blueberry Acai sweetened with all natural organic agave and brown rice syrup, contains 15 grams of protein, 4 grams of fiber and 7 grams of whole grains. It has 200 calories, 19 vitamins and minerals, and is an excellent source of antioxidants.

Blueberry Acai, like all BARE flavors, adheres to Balance Bar’s 40/30/30 nutritional model (40% of calories come from healthy carbohydrates, 30% from quality protein, and 30% from dietary fat)/

The Jolly Rancher brand is introducing a new candy, Jolly Rancher Crunch ‘N Chew with a hard shell with a chewy center. New Crunch ‘N Chew includes four flavors in various sizes that  can be found nationwide at mass grocery, drug, and convince stores.

Yoplait introduced a lactose-free yogurt in four flavors for the millions who are lactose intolerant. This new products gives people the chance to experience yogurt without the lactose intolerant outcomes.