This post is by blog team member, Kiran. To learn more about her, check out our team page or her blog, Easy Real Food!
Once again, I’m back from a large convention held in Anaheim, California where most of the bigger, plus emerging, brands debut their up-and-coming products. While trends come and go–and different definitions of “healthy” reside–you can look forward to some exciting new things appearing on store shelves soon. Trust me, I did a little sifting through and a lot of sampling the products!
Want to Save this Recipe?
Enter your email below & we'll send it straight to your inbox. Plus you'll get great new recipes from us every week!
- Applegate Organics
A veteran brand in the meat and cheese department is coming out with a newcomer product, Applegate’s Great Organic Blend Burger. Combining grass-fed beef with organic mushrooms for one option, and organic turkey with organic mushrooms for another, their new (frozen) burgers are very much in line with our idea of quality over quantity. With the upcoming grilling season upon us, these burgers—with mushrooms that add the right amount of moisture—are the perfect real food convenience food! Beef Burger Ingredients are: Organic Grass-Fed Beef, Organic Mushrooms, Organic Rosemary Extract; the Turkey Burger Ingredients are: Organic Turkey, Organic Mushrooms, Organic Rosemary Extract.
- Solely (Dried) Fruit
As an emerging brand, I spotted this booth last year and knew they were onto something good. Their small space was due to the fact that they truly were just starting out, so I was ecstatic to see their much larger presence at this year’s show. Certified Organic and Non-GMO Project Verified, their Fruit Jerky is the perfectly clean, nature-sweet snack that you can feel good about eating and sharing with your kids. In an effort to keep the most transparent ingredients within, you can feel good about knowing that there’s no added preservatives, juice, sugar, or anything else. Flavors to check out: Pineapple, Mango, Banana with Cacao, Banana with Pecans, and (my fave) Pineapple and Coconut.
- Primal Kitchen’s No Soy Teriyaki
Another personal favorite of mine comes from Primal Kitchen. The company, headed up by Mark Sisson, offers clean, real food options in the realm of dressings, marinades, collagen, and more. Their latest and greatest product (coming soon) is a soy-free teriyaki marinade (or dip) that has all recognizable real food ingredients. Other favorites from the brand include Unsweetened Ketchup and BBQ Sauce, in addition to many dressings that are organic and paleo-friendly.
- Whole Lotta by Clif
Before you jump down to the comments to add your two cents, hear me out. I love when I hear that larger “mainstream” brands are listening to consumers and being receptive to adjusting some offerings. Though we’ve touted Clif Bars as being hyped up candy bars, I was excited to see that the brand created a new line called Whole Lotta. This new line has 0 grams of added sugar (a far cry from their typical bars) and is pumped up with pea protein instead. Though we’re not entirely on the pea protein bandwagon just yet, Whole Lotta, which is coming out soon, offers a better option for those who have kids (wave of hand) who are drawn to the bars that their friends have.
- Nestle Toll House (This one surprised us, too!)
Another shock, though satisfying, was to see Nestle Toll House debuting a booth at this healthy expo (almost an oxymoron). However, a closer look unveiled their Simply Delicious line of chocolate chips that are made with just 3 ingredients (chocolate, cocoa butter, and cane sugar—the way chocolate chips should be!), are organic, and also free from the major allergens. Though we remain true Enjoy Life fans, and have been for years, this was a nice entrance from yet another mainstream brand who is looking to satisfy customers. The takeaway? Keep voting with your dollars—we’re being heard!
- NutRaw Farms Pistachio Butter
Sunflower seed butter, almond butter, cashew butter…why not pistachios?! A newcomer for us, Nut Raw Farms are California pistachio growers and offer bars and butters with “no fake s–t,” as they say. The ingredients couldn’t be any cleaner, and they’re organic to boot. Plus, why would you want any of that extra stuff, anyhow? Let me acknowledge the fact that the butter is pricy, but it definitely makes a tasty treat.
So there you have it! Some of my favorites from the show. I’d love to hear which one you’re most excited about in the comments below.
And if these products sparked your interest, find 12 more that are also allergy friendly here.
I am excited about the Nestle white chocolate chips. It is difficult to find allergen friendly white chocolate.
Harris Teeter has the Simply Delicious chips in store now. I bought them once but they are really pricey.