New Gluten Free Products 2012 – Part 2

You may have already read New Gluten Free Products – Part 1, all about the samples we’ve been taste-testing from the Natural Products Expo West trade show a few weeks ago. Well, here is the second in this series. Not all the products in this series is new, but may be new to you. Stay tuned in for Part 3. Enjoy!

La Preferida Organic Black Refried Beans –

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[showmyads]If you have only had regular refried beans and not Black Refried Beans, you’ll be very pleased with this product. I am not sure if they tasted better because they were organic, or because they black, or both. I normally do not care for black beans, but these tasted rich and creamy. I used them in my Gluten Free Mexican Casserole Recipe. I was reassured by the manufacturing rep that they are gluten free. He stated that some of their other products are manufactured elsewhere and they cannot be certain that the ingredients used are truly gluten free, but that these beans definitely are. So nice to have reassurance, though we did not discuss testing for gluten cross-contamination. The only ingredients: prepared black beans, water and sea salt. Not only did these have a wonderful flavor, but I had no digestive issues at all, which I always do with beans.

O’Dough’s Gluten Free Products –  O’Doughs make many gluten free products in a certified gluten free bakery. At Expo West we received a sample of their Double Chocolate Muffin. My husband stated, “They’re pretty good!” Other flavors include: Wild Blueberry, and Banana Chocolate Chip. O’Dough’s boasts not only are they good gluten free muffins, but good muffins, by any standard. The muffins are packed in 4’s, and may be found in your freezer section of any participating grocery store. Check out their gluten free muffins facts sheet for more details.

Popcorn Indiana – We taste-tested 2 of Popcorn Indiana’s products:

Original All Natural Kettlecorn – very sweet – most gluten free kettle flavored popcorn is, but very tasty – crunchy, crisp, salty and sweet! Only ingredients are: popcorn, sugar, canola oil and salt. There are tons more flavors. Learn them all of them at the link above.

Chipins – known as the first popcorn chips. Hubby and I both tasted the Classic BBQ flavor and wow! – What great flavor and texture. Ingredients in their barbecue flavor is corn, safflower oil, sugar, salt, tomato powder, onion powder, chili powder, torula yeast, citric acid, black pepper, garlic powder, natural flavor, and paprika extract (for color). Additional flavors are: Sea Salt, White Cheddar, Hot Buffalo Wings and Jalopeno Ranch.

Balance Bar – Though not new, and not certified gluten-free, Balance Bars are worth mentioning for those who not gluten intolerant. My husband loved sampling the Double chocolate Brownie bar. If you’e like to see Balance Bars become certified gluten free, just let them know by visiting their FAQ page; click on the question, “Are Balance Bar products gluten free?”; and click on Contact. Allergen warnings: Produced on equipment that also process peanuts, tree nuts, egg, wheat sesame. Contains Soy.

Mrs. May’s – They have tons of products. My husband sampled their Cranberry Trio Bar. He enjoyed it just because it’s crunchy. Their newest releases are: Black Sesame CranBlueberry Rounds, Blueberry Almond Rounds, Cinnamon Cranberry Almond Rice Stix, and Cran-Blueberry Almond Rice Stix. The rice sticks are chewy sticks, all natural, of course. And their Almond Rounds contain nuts, chewy berries, chocolate, rice, seeds, and more.  Oh my! Wish I had some now. I’d be popping those little babies in my mouth all day long. Looks like I’ll have to create a mock recipe for this one! All their products are: Gluten Free, Cholesterol Free, Dairy Free, Vegan, No Preservatives.

Kind Healthy Snacks – Not new at all, and most of you probably have had either seen them or tried them yourself. My hubby loves his protein bars, and he enjoyed this one the best. He tried the Peanut Butter & Strawberry flavor. I’m thinking the flavor is what did it for him. They are all natural, gluten free, wheat free, dairy free, cholesterol free, very low in sodium, Non-GMO, trans fat free, contain 7 grams of protein, and 4 grams of fiber.

Bragg – Not a new company at all, nor are their products, but because they have an awfully healthy soy sauce alternative, and because they’ve been in business exactly 100 years, they are definitely deserving of a mention. Their soy sauce alternative is called, Liquid Aminos, and it contains 16 amino acids, and is certified Non-GMO. What is new, is that their Liquid Aminos is now available in a spray bottle, making it easier to add to salads, and more. the ingredients? – Only 2: Vegetable protein from soybeans and purified water. It is not fermented, which is so much healthier for you; and this product contains no preservatives. In reading the ingredients, I wasn’t sure it would be salty like regular soy sauce, but it is. I plan on using it in Chinese Chicken Salad. Cannot wait to give my spray bottle a try! Learn more about this product at their website through the link above.