Bite of the Best

Good Earth Tea introduces two new flavors, Cocoa Tango and Sweetly Twisted.

Cocoa Tango contains black tea, cocoa, natural flavors, roasted chicory root, chili peppers, cardamom, rose petals, peppermint leaves and monk fruit extract. Sweetly Twisted contains hibiscus, black tea, lemon peel, rosehips, roasted chicory root, natural flavors, sweet blackberry leaves, lemon oil, licorice root, citric acid and monk fruit extract.

Angie Hwang, Bite of the Best intern: Although these new flavors have unique and refreshing tastes from the natural ingredients, they are not to my liking.

Great Grains Protein Blend has added two new flavors, Cinnamon Hazelnut and Honey, Oats & Seeds, to their already existing line.

Each 1-cup serving contains 220-230 calories, 0.5 grams saturated fat (of 5 grams total), 190-200 milligrams sodium, 8 grams protein and 8-9 grams sugar.

Haitian Vanilla introduces Essence of Vanilla Supreme made using the finest, handpicked vanilla beans.

Use as a flavoring for beverages,  fruited yogurt  sorbet,  or in baked goods.

With four pounds of Roma tomatoes in every bottle, Traina Foods’ has introduced their California Sun Dried Tomato Ketchup. This ketchup contains higher concentrations of lycopene, a natural occurring antioxidant found in tomatoes, with less sugar and salt than other varieties.

Each 1 tablespoon serving contains 20 calories, no fat, 110 milligrams sodium and 3 grams sugar.

Real Greek yogurt combined with whole grain flakes makes up Honey Bunches of Oats newest cereal, Greek Honey Crunch.

Each 1-cup serving contains 230 calories, 1 gram saturated fat (of 3.5 grams total), 160 milligrams sodium, 13 grams sugar and 5 grams protein.

ThinkThin has introduced a new line of chocolate and coconut bars that are gluten free. Compared to the Mound Bars, thinkThin has 60 fewer calories, 30 less calories from fat, 5 grams more fiber and 11 grams less sugar.

Each 1.5-ounce bar contains 170 calories, 7 grams saturated fat (of 9 grams total), 105 milligrams sodium, 10 grams sugar and 6 grams protein.

La Tortilla Factory has added Light Flour Tortillas to their already existing line.

Each ~1.3-ounce tortilla contains 80 calories, 1 gram saturated fat (of 2 grams total), 250 milligrams sodium, 6 grams fiber and 4 grams protein.

Mallow Bites has added three new flavors —Toasted Coconut, Caramel Swirl and Chocolate Swirl — of Jet‐Puffed miniature marshmallows.

Each about 1-ounce serving of Chocolate Swirl or Caramel Swirl contains 100 calories, 0 grams total fat and 20 grams sugar. Each about 1.5-ounce serving of the Toasted Coconut contains 160 calories, 4.5 grams total fat and 23 grams sugar.

Cooksimple has added two new flavors to their already existing line of all-natural and gluten-free meal kits – White Bean Chili with Chia Seeds, and Skillet Lasagna with Corn and Quinoa Pasta.

Made without artificial additives or preservatives, each 1 1/4-cup prepared serving contains 210-310 calories, 0 grams saturated fat (of 4.5-13 grams total), 420-740 milligrams sodium, 7-9 grams fiber and 17-20 grams protein. 

Krispy Kreme has introduced a new Glazed Banana Kreme pie just in time for National Banana Cream Pie Day, March 2. These are only available for a limited time at participating stores, while supplies last. They are not available at Krispy Kreme Doughnut Shops.

Each 4-ounce pie contains 390 calories, 10 grams saturated fat (of 19 grams total), 410 milligrams sodium and 25 grams sugar.

Fiber One has added Chocolate Squares, sweetened with a touch of cocoa, to their line of 80 calorie cereals. Each 3/4-cup-serving contains 80 calories, 0 grams saturated fat (of 1 gram total), 130 milligrams sodium, 5 grams sugar and 9 grams fiber.

- Alyssa Tucker, Bite of the Best Intern: I enjoyed the rich chocolate taste of this low-calorie cereal. Some healthy alternatives to the sugary cereals lack in taste, but Fiber One did not.  It also kept me full.

The latest additions to the Kraft Homestyle Mac & Cheese Bowls are Southwest Tortilla (made with four cheese sauce, mixed with bell peppers and topped with chipotle lime tortilla chips) and Creamy Broccoli (made with white cheddar cheese mixed with real broccoli and topped with toasted breadcrumbs).

Each package, about 4-ounces, contains 380 calories, 3.5-4 grams saturated fat (of 11-12 grams total), 830-1060 milligrams sodium, 5-7 grams sugar and 13-14 grams protein.

- Alyssa Tucker, Bite of the Best Intern: The Southwest Tortilla variety is full of flavor.  I could taste the different cheeses in the sauce and the spice of the bell pepper. The tortilla chips give it a  crunchy texture.

Velveeta introduces three new Cheesy Skillets Dinner Kits – Jambalaya, Chicken Parmesan and Ultimate Cheeseburger Mac with 2% Milk Cheese. All made with Velveeta cheese sauce.

The list of ingredients and Nutrition Facts panel were not available at time of posting. 

Cracked Pepper and Sea Salt is the newest edition to the Hawaiian Kettle Style Chips line.

Each ounce, 13-chip portion contains 140 calories, 1.5 grams saturated fat (or 8 grams total) and 290 milligrams sodium.

- bonnie: I really liked the crunchy texture of these flavorful thick chips.

Baker’s Chocolate is now available in Semi‐Sweet and Premium White Morsels in a re-sealable, stand-up bag.

Each 1-tablespoon serving contains 70 calories, 2.5 grams saturated fat (of 4 grams total) and 8-9 grams sugar. 

Planters NUT-rition Peanut Butter introduces Cherry Chocolate, the fourth new variety. The line of Planters NUT-rition Peanut Butter features wholesome ingredients such as bananas, granola, berries, raisins, cinnamon and nuts.

This peanut butter contains about the same calories and fat as regular peanut butter, or ~180 calories and 13 grams total fat per tablespoon.

Weight Watchers endorsed Arnold,  Oroweat and Brownberry Sandwich Thins. (Arnold brand is in the East, Brownberry the Midwest and Oroweat  in the West.) The Sandwich Thins have a value of 3 PointsPlus per roll.

Each roll contains 100 calories, 0 grams saturated fat (of 1 grams total), 170 milligrams sodium, 5 grams protein, 5 grams fiber and is a source of whole grains. The 100% whole wheat varieties offers 20 grams of whole grain per roll.
- bonnie:  These 100-calorie rolls are great for those watching calories and wanting a sandwich.  I juse wish they’d reformulate them without the sweetener Stevia.

Planters has added Roasted Onion & Garlic and Honey BBQ Roasted flavored peanuts to their already existing line of peanuts.

Each 1-ounce serving contains 160 calories, 2 grams saturated fat (of 13-14 grams total), 120-160 milligrams sodium, 2-4 grams sugar and 7 grams protein.

Balakian Farm created a line of organic heirloom tomato sauce, individually hand packed and sealed on the family farm.  Available in Yellow Roman, Pink Oxhart and Green Zebra sauce, the sauce is available through America’s Farmstand, a site where organic, all-natural, pure farm-fresh artisanal foods can be shipped directly from independently run family farms.

- bonnie: These are not your typical tomato sauces, as they are just blended — not precooked — tomatoes. Use them as a base to create a sauce, soup or mixed dish where you’d cook it further. Or use these flavorful heirloom tomatoes is for your next bloody Mary as Michael’s Genuine Food & Drink does in Miami.

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Lundberg Family Farms introduces Olde World Pilaf, a blend of whole grain rice, peas and lentils in a resealable pouch. This pilaf is gluten free, vegan, Kosher certified and contains no genetically modified organisms.

Each 1/4-cup serving of the dry mix contains 153 calories, 0 grams saturated fat (of 1.5 grams total), 1 gram sugar, 36 grams whole grains and 5 grams protein.

Chicken of the Sea introduces a new line of canned tunas, No Drain Tuna that requires no draining. It is available in four varieties: Solid White Albacore Tuna, Solid Light Tuna, Solid Light Thai Chilli Tuna and Solid Light Lemon Pepper Tuna.

Each 2-ounce serving size contains 70 calories, 0 grams saturated fat (of 0.50-1 grams total), 140-180 milligrams sodium and 15-16 grams protein.

-Christin Chan, Bite of the Best Intern: I found the solid light lemon pepper flavor was a bit too sour and acidic, however I really enjoyed the flavor of the solid light tuna. The flavors are light and tastes like chicken! I found it a great addition to  a spinach salad  along with a light dressing. 

For a limited time, Heinz is offering a spicy ketchup  —  Heinz Ketchup Blended with Real Jalapeño — that uses the hot pepper to add spicy flavor to their classic ketchup.

Each 1 tablespoon serving size contains 25 calories, 0 grams total fat, 160 milligrams sodium and 5 grams sugar.

- bonnie: Liking a bit of kick to my foods, I — for one — will be sad when they discontinue this spicy version of their iconic ketchup. If you, too, like spicy foods, be sure to pick up a bottle before they’re no longer available. This spicy ketchup should be on shelves from January through fall 2013.

Rice Select has added four new US grown Texmati rice blends: Brown Jasmati Rice, Calrose Rice, Royal Blend with Quinoa and Royal Blend with Flax Seed.

Each  3/4-cup cooked serving of Rice Select contains 150-170 calories, 0.5-1 gram total fat and 3-4 grams protein; while Royal Blend contains 140-180 calories, 1.5-3 grams total fat and 4-5 grams protein

Kettle Brand Bakes adds two new flavors, Sour Cream & Onion and Cheddar & Toasted Tomato, to their already existing line.

Each 1-ounce serving of about 20 chips contains 120 calories, 0-0.5 grams saturated fat (of 3-3.5 grams total fat), 135-160 milligrams sodium, 0-1 grams sugar and 2-3 grams protein.

- Alyssa Tucker, Bite of the Best Intern:The Sour Cream & Onion chips are  packed with actual potato flavor  and are crunchy, without they airy texture of  other baked chips. Plus, the chips don’t leave your hands greasy.

Pepperidge Farm has added  Brown Sugar and Cinnamon flavors to their line Goldfish Soft Bread made with whole grain and no high-fructose corn syrup.

Each serving of about 1.5-ounces, or 2 slices, contains 130 calories, 1-1.5 saturated fat (of 2 grams total), 140 milligrams sodium, 8 grams sugar and 5 grams protein.