12 new natural food product reviews, April roundup

Rickland Orchards Greek Yogurt bar

Rating: 3 bites

Does anyone else have bar fatigue? In the past few months, I've sampled raw, gluten free, vegan, protein packed, meal replacement and even sprouted options. Here's the latest first for the category: granola bar meets Greek yogurt.

Yes, there are many yogurt covered nutrition bars on the market, but as far as I know, this is the first to go Greek. Marketing ploy or authentic nutritional boon, I'm not sure. What I do know is that these bars, available in six flavors, deliver 5 grams of fiber, 7 grams of protein and probiotics. I do wish it was certified organic because it contains suspect GMO ingredients.

Peter Rabbit Organics fruit and veggies puree snacks

Rating: 4 bites

These organic fruit and veggie puree snacks come in kid-friendly, BPA-free, resealable pouches and contain no added sugar, preservatives or artificial ingredients. The five newest flavors: Peach and Apple, Banana and Apple, Pear and Apple, Pear and Pea and Pumpkin, Carrot and Apple, are also high in vitamin C, and between 60 and 90 calories.

With so many new products coming out in the baby food category, including some which incorporate unexpected superfoods (chia and quinoa), I'd love to see Peter hop toward more innovative, nutrient-dense ingredients.

Betty Lou's Gluten Free Fruit Bars

Rating: 2 bites

These bars are gluten free and, unfortunately, that's about all they have going for them. Though the sugar-free fruit bars deliver 5 grams of fiber and only 3 grams of fat, this "dessert" is sorely short on flavor. The squares remind me more of a chalky Nutri-Grain bar than a sweet escape. I suggest Betty Lou throw her apron back on and try to add more "cobbler" to her concoction.

Health is Wealth Sprouted Grains Sprout Burger

Rating: 3 bites

With only 100 calories and between 8 to 10 grams of protein per serving, I was initially tempted to swap my usual portabella for one of these vegan burgers made with organic quinoa, amaranth and millet. After a second look at the ingredient deck though, I'm not so sure.

Though the company uses non-GMO soy, the bean is fractionated into soy protein, soy protein concentrate and hydrolyzed soy protein. The research is still out, but processed soy has been implicated in hormone imbalance. While this is a better option than many GMO-soy options on the market, I still prefer my burgers soy free.

Earnest Eats Baked Whole Food Bar

Rating: 5 bites

Vegan and raw are such a natural pair, why not vegan and gluten free? All three buzzwords continue to attract shoppers. In the increasingly crowded bar category, being vegan and wheat free is not the only thing these snacks have going for them. The latest Dark Chocolate Mint flavor is one of the first foods to use refugee-harvested whole food ingredients in collaboration with the International Rescue Committee. They're also baked with almond butter, to make them unbelievably moist, and made entirely from whole food ingredients (no, soy isolates here). Each nutrient-dense bar delivers 5 grams of protein and 190 mg of omega-3s.

Gourme Mist

Rating: 3 bites

Though I've never been a fan, portion control dressing misters continue to captivate calorie-counting consumers. Free from additives and chemical propellants, these vinegar and oil sprays have under 5 calories per 1 second spray. Look past the "as-seen-on-TV" marketing and cheesy packaging, and discover that they're actually made with high-quality ingredients including cold-pressed extra virgin olive oil and barrel-aged balsamic vinegar imported from Modena Italy.

Earthbound Farm Organic Herb Puree

Rating: 5 bites

I love the convenience factor these Earthbound Farm Organic Herb Purées offer to everyday cooking. Rather than washing, chopping or crushing, home chefs can incorporate the distinct flavors of ginger, garlic, basil, cilantro, dill and chili pepper with just a squeeze. The purees can be used at a 1 to 1 ratio with their fresh counterparts, and like all Earthbound products are certified organic.

What a Ya Nuts?!

Rating: 3 bites

Kudos to the "nuts" behind these bite-size nut clusters for this product's fun, engaging marketing. Eaters are encouraged to "snack in sanity" on four taste-bud tempting flavors: Jalapeno Hysteria, Maple Cinnamon Madness, Cracked Parmesan Pepper and Stark Raving Chocolate. Though I love that each cluster uses whole almonds, pecans and cashews, because the line is not certified organic and does use suspect GM ingredients, I'm not totally nuts about these nuts.

Sambazon Chocolate Almond Coconut Milk Protein Smoothie

Rating: 5 bites

Chocolate, almond and coconut milk flavors combine for a decadent, whole-food, protein smoothie. Could it get any better? Unlike many protein shakes which rely on highly processed protein isolates, Sambazon uses whole soybeans and hemp to deliver 8 grams of protein per 8 oz serving. The company's signature omega-rich açaí adds berry flavor and subtle purple hue. Another bonus? The shake is vegan, gluten-free, certified organic and Non-GMO Project Verified.

Simply Dara Raw Balls

Rating: 4 bites

Dara claims to have "the balls to make a healthier you," and I think she might be right. In addition to being gluten free, vegan, raw and soy free, these raw treats are made with organic ingredients which clearly list their health benefits on the back of the package.

Dark Chocolate Chile, for example, uses dried de arbol chiles and organic cayenne powder to help alleviate migraines, sinus issues and lower blood pressure. Each serving delivers up to 5 grams of protein from whole food ingredients, but at up to 160 calories per ball, I'd love to see their size cut in half.

Luko Foods

Rating: 4 bites

It was this line's amazingly colorful and creative packaging that first drew my eye. Inventive flavors such as Bacon Maj, Blueberry Lemon Lavender and Cupacabra, held my attention. The company's unique commitment to local ingredients is what makes the line a real standout.

Luko, the umbrella brand for Heidi's Salsa and Nikki's Jams, sources 80 percent of its ingredients from the greater Los Angeles area where the company is based. It also donates a portion of sales to local farms. I'm not sure what percentage of these ingredients are organic, but this young company is off to a great start.

Hi I’m Skinny Sticks

Rating: 4 bites

This line spins the popped snack concept on its head by introducing, wait for it… a Skinny Stick. Though the snacks aren't actually popped, like other airy crisps, they're light on calories and heavy on flavor. My favorite is the FunYun reminiscent Sweet Onion. With no GMOs and sweetened with evaporated cane juice, one could reach for worse things when salt cravings hit. Skinny Sticks hit the mark with fun packaging, and not-so-bad ingredients, but I can't imagine craving these like PopCorners.