Review of 'Food for Life' Brown Rice Loaf

Food for Life -- Brown Rice Loaf (vegan)
Overall Rating: 3.5/5
Summary: This bread has a chewy, almost doughy (but in a really good way) texture with a crispy outer edge when toasted. I really like that the bread is heavy and very filling. It may actually be one of *the* most filling breads I've ever had. However, the stark nutritional profile simply doesn't do it for me -- it has 100 calories but the slices are pretty small, the sodium content is high, there are no vitamins, no calcium, no iron, and the protein and fiber content is poor. Soo although I love the texture and taste of this bread, I probably wouldn't buy it again.

Where to buy: Fortinos



Ingredients: white rice flour, brown rice flour, water, rice culture, tapioca flour, methylcellulose, organic sunflower oil, agar-agar, black strap molasses, sea salt, dextrose-dextrin fibre (grape concentrate, apple concentrate, pear concentrate, rice dextrin, carrot fiber).

*Nutrition Facts:
Serving size: 1 slice
Calories: 100
Fat: .5g
     Saturated: 0g
     Trans: 0g
Cholesterol: 0mg
Sodium: 260mg
Carb: 20g
     Fibre: 1g
     Sugars: 1g
Protein: 2g

*sigh* it's too bad the nutritional profile is so poor, otherwise I would have given this bread a 4/5. Just 1 small slice is 100 calories but only 2g of protein and 1g of fiber. That's horrible. Furthermore, there's no additional vitamins or minerals. Added to that, it's really high in sodium! Two slices would give you 520mg! And that's without your favourite spread :/ Not cool. These calories are empty.

I won't be buying this again, but I really enjoyed it while I had it! I was tentative at first because gluten-free breads haven't impressed me often, but I really liked the uniqueness of this bread. My favourite part was exactly what my brother hated about it -- it was chewy/doughy, unlike your typical bread. It also didn't have that signature 'toast' colour after I toasted it (it remained white), so I think this turned him off before he even tasted it. For people who aren't adventurous and for those who dislike doughyness, this bread....is not for you.

I also liked the subtle flavour -- it wasn't overtly salty or sweet, making it good for my favourite spreads (e.g. avocado, peanut butter and banana slices, and hummus). I'd recommend it for a try, just 'cause it's a yummy and interesting bread. I wouldn't recommend making this a regular in your fridge though, simply because there are more nutritious gluten-free breads available.

I would definitely buy other Food for Life products because I'm a fan of the brand and it's philosophy of natural and wholesome ingredients.

Other 'Gluten-Free' breads (all vegan):

• Bhutanese Red Rice Bread
• Exotic Black Rice Bread
• Raisin Pecan Bread
• Rice Almond Bread
• Rice Millet Bread
• Rice Pecan Bread
• White Rice Bread 
• Yeast Free Brown Rice Bread
• Yeast Free Multi Seed Rice Bread

Brand:

• Most ingredients are certified organic
• Diet-specific products are certified
• Sprouted grains are used in most products
• All products are certified kosher
• No GMOs
• Nothing artificial (preservatives, shortenings, refined sugars)

Review of 'Nature Valley' Crunchy Granola Bar (Oats 'n Honey)

Nature Valley -- Crunchy Granola Bar (Oats 'n Honey)
Overall Rating: 3/5
Summary: these were great-tasting bars, comparable to the generally more expensive Kashi bars. Mind you, this is only in taste, not nutrition. On the nutrition scale, the Kashi bars are significantly more nutritious. Nature Valley bars have more fat, more calories, and fewer grams of fiber and protein. For these reasons, I wouldn't recommend these bars.

Where to buy: Wal-Mart, Freshco



Ingredients: whole grain rolled oats, sugar and/or golden sugar, high monounsaturated canola oil, golden syrup, honey, salt, soy lecithin, yellow corn flour, soy flour, baking soda, natural flavour.

This product is not vegan because of the inclusion of honey.

Nutrition Facts:
Serving size: 2 bars
Calories 220
Fat: 9g
     Saturated: 1g
     Trans: 0g
Cholesterol: 0mg
Sodium: 135mg
Carb: 31g
     Fibre: 3g
     Sugars: 12g
Protein: 4g
Calcium: 2%
Iron: 8%

Unlike the Kashi Crunchy Granola Bars (reviewed here), this bar has sugar added, so I would definitely prefer to buy the Kashi bars. These Nature Valley bars also have 50 more calories than the Kashi bars -- a very significant amount!  The Nature Valley bars also have more fat, more carbs, and less fiber and protein. These are very good reasons to opt for the Kashi bar.

These are very similar to the Kashi Crunchy Bars in taste. They are fresh and crunchy, gently sweet (not sugary), and had great textures (loved the bits of nuts). Unfortunately, the poorer nutrition simply can't match the Kashi brand.

Other 'Crunchy Bars' flavours:

• Peanut Butter (vegan)
• Roasted Almond (vegan)
• Cinnamon (vegan)
• Apple Crisp (vegan)
• Maple Brown Sugar (vegan)
• Pecan Crunch (vegan)
• Oats 'n Dark Chocolate (vegan)
• Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter (vegan)

Brand:

• I couldn't find much information about the brand and its ingredients on the official website (that really peeves me...)
• I did find a lawsuit filed against the brand for not being as Natural as it claims to be "Natural" Nature Valley Products Have Unnatural Ingredients, Says Lawsuit"
• Involved in the Preserve the Parks Project

Review of Amy's Teriyaki Bowl

Amy's -- Teriyaki Bowl (vegan)
Overall Rating: 4/5
Summary: This teriyaki bowl is a hit! So far, Amy's hasn't failed me. The teriyaki sauce was sweet (naturally derived sugars!) and there was a generous portion. There are a lot of different veggies (e.g. carrots, broccoli, green beans, mushrooms, tofu, and more!), which most frozen entrees tend to skimp on. I really liked that the portion is actually reasonable and the meal is quite filling.

Where to buy: Fortinos



Ingredients: organic brown rice, organic broccoli, organic tamari (wheat free), organic tofu (filtered water, organic soybeans, nigari [magnesium chloride, a natural firming agent]), pineapple juice, organic green beans, organic evaporated cane juice, mushrooms, organic carrots, water chestnuts, organic bell peppers, organic lemon juice, filtered water, organic ginger, organic sesame seed oil, organic cornstarch, organic garlic, expeller pressed high oleic safflower and/or sunflower oil, spices, black pepper.  
Contains soy and sesame seed oil.

Nutritional Facts:
Serving size: 1 container
Calories: 290
     Calories from fat: 40
Total fat: 4.5g
     Saturated fat: .5g
     Trans: 0g
Cholesterol: 0mg
Sodium: 780mg
Carb: 52g
     Fiber: 6g
     Sugars: 15g
Protein: 12g
Vitamin A: 50%
Vitamin C: 40%
Calcium: 4%
Iron: 8%

I love Amy's products -- the ingredients are fantastic (organic) and the nutritional profile is pretty impressive. One serving is almost 300 calories and it's totally worth it. Not only is it a tasty meal, it's low in saturated fat, has 0 cholesterol, 6g of fiber, and 12g of protein. What's more, it's got a solid amount of vitamin A and C. The only downside is the very high sodium content....like, very high! This means I'll be watching my sodium intake for the rest of the day, but whatevs, that's what my 'myfitnesspal' app is for!

Oh boy! I really liked the teriyaki sauce -- it was sweet and savoury. The rice was nicely cooked and had the characteristic 'chew' of brown rice, but 50 minutes in the toaster oven wasn't enough to warm the entire bowl through (as directed on the box). It could have used an additional 10-15 minutes.  There was a good amount of vegetables, but I'm greedy so I could have used some more mushrooms and green beans! The veggies were actually crisp and not soggy at all. I thought maybe the broccoli would be soggy, but it was perfect! The tofu was nice and firm, but I did find it a weeee bit salty.

I would definitely buy this again and I recommend it to all ye vegans, teriyaki lovers, health conscious folks.

Other Amy's Bowls:

• Baked Ziti Bowl (vegan)
• Broccoli and Cheddar Bake 
• Brown Rice and Vegetables Bowl (vegan) (reviewed here)
• Brown Rice, Black-Eyed Peas & Veggies Bowl (vegan)
• Country Cheddar Bowl
• Light in Sodium - Brown Rice & Vegetables Bowl (vegan)
• Light in Sodium - Mexican Casserole Bowl
• Light in Sodium Country Cheddar Bowl
• Mexican Casserole Bowl
• Mushroom Risotto Bowl
• Pesto Tortellini Bowl
• Ravioli Bowl
• Santa Fe Enchilada Bowl
• Stuffed Pasta Shells Bowl
• Tortilla Casserole & Black Beans Bowl
• Vegetable Parmesan Bowl

Brand (quoted from amys.com):

• Family business since 1987
• "We purchase high quality pastas, grains, beans and hormone free dairy from cows that are pasture raised."
• Local, organic ingredients
• Made from scratch
• "We do not purchase or use any genetically modified or engineered ingredients..."
• No BPA in cans
• No MSG added

Review of 'Kettle Brand' Baked Potato Chips (Salt & Fresh Ground Pepper)

Kettle Brand -- Baked Potato Chips (Salt & Fresh Ground Pepper) (vegan)
Overall Rating: 3.5/5
Summary: these were nice and tart and I liked the strong black pepper flavour (I expected it to have a weak black pepper flavour). I did think that the chips were a tad too salty even though the sodium content isn't too bad. I'd buy these again if entertaining but probably not for regular consumption. They'd go well with beer!

Where to buy: Freshco, Longos, Fortinos, US store locator


Ingredients: potatoes, safflower and/or sunflower oil, rice flour, salt, spices (black pepper, white pepper), yeast extract, garlic powder, onion powder, citric acid, spice extract (black pepper oil), jalapeno powder.

Nutrition Facts:
Serving size: 30-32 chips
Calories: 170
Fat: 4.5g
     Saturated: .5g
     Trans: 0g
Cholesterol: 0mg
Sodium: 160mg
Carb: 29g
     Fibre: 3g
     Sugars: 0g
Protein: 4g
Vitamin C: 20%
Iron: 8%

Great ingredients really made for a great nutritional profile. One serving is 170 calories for 30-32 chips, which is a really good ratio for potato chips. It's low in saturated fat, has 0 cholesterol, and is low in sodium (for potato chips). What's awesome is the 4g protein, 3g fiber, and 20% vitamin C. For a snack to pass the 2g protein barrier is always a plus for me.

Lovers of salty snacks will appreciate this flavour more than I did. I'm a lightly salted kinda gal. But the flavour is bang on!

Other 'Reduced Fat' flavours:

• Sea Salt (vegan)
• Sea Salt and Vinegar (vegan)

Brand:

• All natural, non-GMO ingredients
• Nothing artificial
• 0 trans fats
• No preservatives
• Gluten free
• No MSG
• Sustainability Initiatives

Review of 'Natura' Mango Pineapple Soy Fortified Beverage

Natura -- Mango Pineapple Soy Fortified Beverage (vegan)
Overall Rating: 5/5
Summary: This is delicious! Try it! You can really taste the pineapple flavour. It's a bit harder to taste the mango, but who cares, the blend is just divine. It's perfectly sweetened and creamy. It honestly tastes like a milkshake -- it's just so creamy and sweet! And wait til you see the sweet nutritional profile. It's really hard to find a fault with this beverage...other than the 180 calories per serving :P

Where to buy: Fortinos, Freshco, Sobeys, Metro, Food Basics, Rabba Fine Foods, Foodland, Super Wal-Mart, No Frills, Shopper's Drug Mart

Coupon available from thehealthyshopper.ca (registration is totally worth it)



Ingredients: FILTERED WATER, WHOLE ORGANIC SOYBEANS, ORGANIC EVAPORATED CANE JUICE, SUNFLOWER OIL, NATURAL MANGO PINEAPPLE FLAVOUR, CHICORY INULIN (PREBIOTIC), CALCIUM CARBONATE, SEA SALT, XANTHAN GUM, ANNATTO, VITAMIN A PALMITATE, SODIUM ASCORBATE (VIT. C), RIBOFLAVIN (B2), VITAMIN D2, VITAMIN B12, THIAMINE (B1), NIACIN (B3), VITAMIN B6, PANTOTHENATE (B5).

*Nutrition Facts:
Serving size: 315 mL
Calories: 180
Fat: 7g
     Saturated: 1g
     Trans: 0g
     Polyunsaturated: 3g
          Omega-6: 2.5g
          Omega-3: .5g
     Monounsaturated: 2.5g
Cholesterol: 0mg
Sodium: 100mg
Potassium: 320mg
Carb: 23g
     Fibre: 4g
     Sugars: 20g
Protein: 8g
Vitamin A: 10%
Vitamin C: 60%
Calcium: 30%
Iron: 10%

*Full nutritional profile here.

Sure, this has a lot of sugar (20g), but at least it's from evaporated cane juice! The nutritional profile is just unbeatable -- it has a solid 8g of protein, 4g of fiber, and a host of additional vitamins. It's got good fats, and is pretty much a powerhouse of a drink. The only issue here is that it's 180 calories and it's not filling...it is just a drink, after all. So for those of you working with a tight diet, this may not be the proper snack-beverage for you.

Gosh, even if you're worried about calories, this is a great treat for once in a while. You should definitely give it  a try. I'd totally buy this again, especially for the Christmas season. You could totally spice it up with the Magic Bullet and make some fantastic milkshakes and cocktails. Check out the recipes provided on their website here.

Other flavours (all vegan):

• Orange Soy 
• Apple Soy

Brand:

• All products are certified organic, kosher, and vegan
• Organic, non-GMO soybeans
• Soybeans are grown in Quebec by certified organic farms

Review of 'Nature's Harvest' Dry Roasted Edamame (with Sea Salt)

Nature's Harvest -- Dry Roasted Edamame (with Sea Salt)
Overall Rating: 3.5/5
Summary: These are really crunchy and nicely salted (not overly salty at all). I love that the ingredients are kept at a minimum (only 3!), but I did not that it's a product of China and that scares me when thinking about the source of the soy and whether or not they are non-GMO. I find it more suspicious that I couldn't find this product on the distributor's (Amport Foods) website, so I really have no information. If not for this information gap, I would have given a solid 4/5.

Where to buy: Whole Foods, Wal-mart, online from LexaLu.com.

Ingredients: dry roasted green soybeans, soybean oil, sea salt.

Nutrition Facts:
Serving size: 1/4 cup
Calories: 150
     Calories from fat: 45
Total fat: 5g
     Saturated: .5g
     Trans:0g
Cholesterol: 0mg
Sodium: 190mg
Total Carb: 16g
     Dietary fiber: 5g
     Sugars: 0g
Protein: 11g
Calcium: 6%
Iron: 15%

This has a great, great nutritional profile. I only wish I had more background info on this company. The portion size is actually good because the beans are quite filling. There's a reasonable amount of calories and 11 grams of protein....eleven!!! Also...five grams of fiber. You just don't find that often in a snack food that's delicious. It's also low in saturated fat and good on sodium.

The texture: each bean is perfectly roasted and salted. It seems it's so tough to find a product that perfectly salted...I find that my major issue with snack foods is that they have way too much salt (e.g. some Kettle Brand Chips flavours).

I wouldn't buy this product again simply because I know absolutely nothing about the brand or its ingredients. I also won't recommend it for this reason. I'll try to find an alternative brand of roasted edamame.

Brand:

•  It's a mystery!

Review of 'Smart Balance' All Natural Rich Roast Chunky Peanut Butter (and Omega-3s from Flax Oil)

Smart Balance -- All Natural Rich Roast Chunky Peanut Butter (vegan)
Overall Rating: 3.5/5
Summary: I normally opt for all natural peanuts, no ingredients added peanut butter and I've gotten so used to it, that this flavoured peanut butter was a big change. After a couple of servings, it grew on me. I liked the sweetness from the cane juice and I'm happy for the natural source. I could have done without the saltiness though. I would prefer either a salty or sweet nut butter, not both. I do like the chunkiness but would have liked bigger chunks. I would recommend this because of the good ingredients. I would have given a 4/5 if I were able to locate verifiable information on Smart Balance's oils (e.g. non-GMO).

Where to buy: US store locator; not currently available in Canada




Ingredients: peanuts, evaporated cane juice, natural oil blend (palm fruit and flaxseed oils), salt, molasses.

*Nutrition Facts:
Serving size: 2 tbsps
Calories: 190
     Calories from fat: 145
Total fat: 16g
     Sat fat: 3g
     Trans: 0g
     Polyunsat: 1.5g
     Monounsat: 12g
Cholesterol: 0mg
Sodium: 145mg
Potassium: 185mg
Total Carb: 6g
     Dietary fiber: 2g
     Sugars: 3g
Protein: 7g
Iron: 4%

Full nutritional profile available here.

So I normally opt for peanut butter with 1 ingredient...peanuts. But for a product that deviates from this model, I quite enjoyed it. The ingredients are good and the nutritional profile is great! It has a pretty average fiber and protein content for peanut butters, but has more sodium than my 'one ingredient peanut butters'. Don't be afraid of the high fat content, because these are the good fats that we actually want and need.

So for myself, I'd still prefer my natural, one ingredient peanut butter. Still, I'd recommend this particular brand and flavour to those who prefer flavoured nut butters. The brand caters to the health conscious, so go wild!

I can't wait to bake with this! You can actually substitute peanut butter for butter in some recipes. You can check out the Smart Balance recipe list here (e.g. Chocolate Peanut Butter and Banana Sandwiches).

Other peanut butter products:

• Rich Roast Creamy Peanut Butter (vegan)

Brand:

• No hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated oils in any of their products
• 0g trans fat
• Certified kosher

Review of 'Bob's Red Mill' Gluten Free Brownie Mix

Bob's Red Mill -- Gluten Free Brownie Mix (vegan)
Overall Rating: 4.5/5
Summary: holy hannah, this is really a beautiful brownie mix!! The chocolate is intense and rich, it's very chocolatey, it's very moist, and the bottom of the brownie comes out nice and chewy and decadent....mmmm. I would definitely buy this again! The only downside is the nutritional profile -- it's not too impressive. But this can be remedied by adding nutrient-rich ingredients (e.g. some kind of nut, milk, egg, etc.)

Where to buy: Fortinos




Ingredients: evaporated cane juice, Ghirardelli cocoa, potato starch, sweet white sorghum flour, tapioca flour, whole grain corn flour, sea salt, baking powder (sodium acid pyrophosphate, sodium bicarbonate, corn starch, monocalcium phosphate), xanthan gum.

Nutrition Facts:
Serving size: 1 brownie (37g mix)
Calories: 140
     Calories from fat: 5
Total fat: .5g
     Saturated fat: 0g
     Trans: 0g
Sodium: 180mg
Potassium: 179mg
Total Carb: 27g
     Dietary fiber: 2g
     Sugars: 17g
Protein: 2g
Calcium: 2%
Iron: 8%

So the ingredients aren't bad, but there's just not an impressive array of nutritional values. The protein and fiber content is decent, but it's very high in sugars (although they are natural sugars). The calories will add up quickly after the brownie is made (after adding butter, nuts, egg, etc.), but if you use wholesome ingredients, at least you'll boost the nutritional profile! And let's face it, the deliciousness of this product makes up for any shortcomings!

I wish I could bake this well from scratch :/ This mix is awesome! The chocolate flavour is so rich and decadent. I was afraid that the brownie would turn out dry or crumbly, but it was so, so moist and chewy. I added a frosting made up Camino's Orange Dark Chocolate (reviewed here), coconut milk, and cane sugar. It was a bittersweet frosting because of the orange flavour and this really complemented the intense sweetness of the brownie.

I love that the website provides a bunch of recipes for their products. You can find recipes using this Gluten Free Brownie Mix here. You should totally buy this! You won't regret it. I'm keen on trying one of the pancake mixes next.

Other mixes:

• GF all purpose baking flour (vegan)
• 10 grain bread mix 
• 100% whole wheat bread mix
• Irish soda bread mix
• Low-carb bread mix (vegan)
• Potato bread mix
• Rye bread mix
• Buttermilk pancake mix
• Low-carb baking mix (vegan)
• Cornbread muffin mix
• Date nut bran muffin mix
• Oat bran & date nut muffin mix
• Raisin bran muffin mix
• Spice apple bran muffin mix
• Scottish oatmeal scone mix
• Org 7 grain pancake/waffle (vegan)
• 10 grain pancake mix
• Buckwheat pancake mix (vegan)
• Buttermilk biscuit mix
• Organic cornmeal pancake mix
• Organic high fiber pancake mix (vegan)
• Oat bran & nuts cookie mix (vegan)
• GF biscuit mix (vegan)
• Gluten free chocolate cake mix
• GF chocolate chip cookie mix (vegan)
• GF cinnamon raisin bread mix (vegan)
• GF cornbread mix (vegan)
• GF hearty whole grain bread (vegan)
• GF homemade wonderful bread (vegan)
• GF pancake mix (vegan)
• GF pizza crust mix (vegan)
• GF shortbread cookie mix (vegan)
• GF vanilla cake mix (vegan)

Brand (quoted from bobsredmill.com):

• Many certified organic options
• Non-GMO ("We do not guarantee the complete absence of GMO materials in our products because of wind drift, pollinators and our lack of testing equipment.")
• No additives or preservatives
• All products are certified kosher

Review of 'Kinnikinnick Foods Inc.' KinniKritter Animal Cookies

Kinnikinnick Foods Inc. -- KinniKritter Animal Cookies (vegan)
Overall Rating: 3.5/5
Summary: The fact that these are meant for children probably has something to do with my giving it a lower rating. It's basically just a sugar cookie. The flavour...is sugar. No vanilla, no nothin'. Texture-wise, it was crunchy and fresh and the bite-size made it messy-free. They're alright. I wouldn't buy them again unless I was expecting my lil cousins over. I bet you could get really creative baking with these!

Where to buy: Fortinos, Metro, Real Canadian Superstore


Ingredients: Sugar, Pea Starch, Potato Starch, non-Hydrogenated Shortening (palm fruit and/or canola), White Rice Flour, Tapioca Starch, Water, Glucose, Pea Protein, Salt, Pea Fibre, Vanilla Extract, Modified cellulose, Sodium Bicarbonate, Soy Lecithin, Inulin, Natural Color (glycerine, beta-carotene)

Nutrition Facts:
Serving size: 12 cookies
Calories:140
Fat: 5g
     Saturated: 1.5g
     Trans: 0g
Cholesterol: 0mg
Sodium: 150mg
Total Carbs: 22g
     Dietary fiber: 1g
     Sugars: 6g
Protein: 1g
Calcium: 2%
Iron: 2%

Hmm, I'm not thrilled that the first ingredient is sugar...not thrilled at all.
Based on the 'empty' ingredients are lacklustre flavour (just plain ol sugar cookies), I wouldn't buy these cookies again. The nutritional profile is very bare...it's all fat, carbs and sugars...not cool.

I know I mentioned that these may be worth it if you have kids...but I just mean that your kids would probably enjoy them. However, it's probably not the greatest idea to buy these for your kids since there's no nutritional value. Sure, for a very rare treat, they're fun!

These animal-shaped cookies would probably be great in baking activities with kids. You could use them as toppings for cakes, cupcakes, brownies, and so on. You could also use a food processor and make a nice cheesecake crust. Their website has a list of gluten-free recipes that you can check out (here).

Other cookies:

• KinniToos Fudge Sandwich Creme Cookies (vegan)
• Chocolate KinniKritter Animal Cookies (vegan)
• Graham Style KinniKritter Animal Cookies 
• S'moreables Graham Style Crackers 
• KinniToos Chocolate Vanilla Sandwich Cookies (vegan)
• KinniToos Vanilla Sandwich Creme Cookies (vegan)
• Ginger Snap Cookies 
• Montanas Chocolate Chip Cookies 

Brand:

• No preservatives
• Beet and cane sugars are certified non-GMO
• Not organic
• Many kosher products

Review of 'Deep River Snacks' Kettle Cooked Potato Chips (Mesquite BBQ)

Deep River Snacks -- Kettle Cooked Potato Chips (Mesquite BBQ) (vegan)
Overall Rating: 4.5/5
Summary: These were probably the crunchiest chips I've ever had...ever. Even crunchier than Kettle Brand Chips. They were so fresh and the BBQ flavour was awesome -- perfectly sweetened and salted. There was a hint of smokiness as well...the spices used just reallly worked well.

Where to buy: Bulk Barn, store locator



Ingredients: potatoes, sunflower oil, sugar, brown sugar, salt, tomato powder, yeast extract, colour extractives (paprika, annatto, turmeric), citric acid, onion powder, natural smoke flavour, spices, garlic powder, paprika.

Nutrition Facts:
Serving size: 17 chips
Calories: 200
Fat: 10g
     Saturated: 1g
     Trans: 0g
Cholesterol: 0mg
Sodium: 275mg
Carb: 24g
     Fibre: 2g
     Sugars: 2g
Protein: 2g
Vitamin C: 15%
Iron: 4%

Hey, these ingredients aren't bad at all! In fact, they're pretty great! The protein and fiber content is decent and there's a bit of vitamin C, but other than that, there's not much nutrition going on. But as a snack to indulge in, the flavour and crunch of these chips is well worth it! Especially since there are no trans fats or really turrble ingredients.

Where has this brand been all my life?? Not only are the chips insanely fresh and crispy, the brand itself is pretty impressive and I will definitely be buying these again.

Other flavours:

• Rosemary and Olive Oil
• Zesty Jalapeno (vegan)
• Original Salted (vegan)
• Salt and Vinegar (vegan)
• Asian Sweet & Spicy
• Lightly Salted (vegan)
• Sweet Maui Onion (vegan)
• Cracked Pepper and Sea Salt (vegan)

Brand:

• Non-GMO potatoes
• All kosher certified products
• No trans fats
• Gluten free
• No artificial flavours 
• No preservatives
• Involved in various non-profit organizations (more info)

Review of 'Camino' Orange Dark Chocolate

Camino -- Orange Dark Chocolate (vegan)
Overall Rating: 3.5/5
Summary: This has a very bitter taste and the orange flavour is intense. Lovers of dark chocolate and orange will be elated! Personally, I'm not a citrus fan, so I wasn't overly impressed. The texture is smooth and it is a pretty creamy chew. There's a good snap when you bite into it but it's not too crumbly. I used most of the bar for a frosting and I'd buy this again (only on sale!) for baking because the Camino brand is just aweome!

Where to buy: Bulk Barn, Fortinos, Metro, Real Canadian Superstore, Longos


Ingredients: cacao mass*, golden cane sugar*, cacao butter*, whole cane sugar*, orange essence, ground vanilla beans*.
*FAIRTRADE CERTIFIED.

Nutrition Facts:
Serving size: 40g
Calories: 220
Fat: 16g
     Saturated: 10g
     Trans: 0g
Cholesterol: 0mg
Sodium: 0mg
Carb: 20g
     Fibre: 4g
     Sugars: 13g
Protein: 3g
Calcium: 2%
Iron: 45%

Although high in calories, this is a great source of fibre, protein and iron and I loved baking with this chocolate. Desserts are my weakness, so when I find ingredients that actually have clean ingredients and good nutrition, it makes me feel way less guilty about stuffing my face!

I melted this bar with coconut milk and used it to make a frosting for a very sweet brownie cake I baked. The bitterness balanced out the intense sweetness of the cake...perfect combination!

Check out recipes from the website here. Some include Tiramisu, Banana Bread, and various cookies.

Other flavours:

• Panama extra dark (vegan)
• Raspberries (vegan)
• Milk with sea salt
• Caramel Crunch
• Coconut (vegan)
• Milk
• Bittersweet (vegan)
• Dark (vegan)
• Almonds (vegan) (reviewed here)
• Mint (vegan)
• Espresso (vegan)
• Minis

 Brand (quoted from lasiembra.com):

• Certified organic
• Fairtrade certified
• A Canadian co-op
• "... first registered importers of Fairtrade Certified cocoa and sugar in North America."
• Many awards
• Many vegan and kosher products
• Works with family farmers
• Environmentally committed

Review of 'Enjoy Life' Very Berry Crunch Granola

Enjoy Life -- Very Berry Crunch Granola (not vegan; contains honey)
Overall Rating: 3/5
Summary: hmm, tastes bland at first, then gets a little better after a few chews, but reallly subtle berry flavours. It also tasted artificial and plastic-y to me. It had a hint of tartness and the berry flavour was actually quite nice. The execution just wasn't right.

Where to buy: Bulk Barn, Fortinos, perhaps Whole Foods, buy online


Ingredients: Brown Rice Flakes, Evaporated Cane Juice, Brown Rice Syrup, Rice Crisps (Rice Flour, Rice Bran, Raisin Juice Concentrate, Honey, Salt), Inulin (Chicory Root Fiber), Freeze Dried Raspberries and Strawberries*, Natural Strawberry Flavor, Expeller-Pressed Vegetable Oil (Safflower Oil and/or Sunflower Oil), Ground Flaxseed, Citric Acid, Salt, Rosemary Extract.
*Sulfite-Free

Nutrition Facts:
Serving size: 1/2 cup
Calories: 190
Total fat: 1.5g
     Saturated: .4g
     Trans: 0g
Cholesterol: 0mg
Sodium: 60mg
Total Carbs: 44g
     Dietary fiber: 4g
     Sugars: 12g
Protein: 3g
Vitamin C: 10%
Iron: 30%

The ingredients are great, but the calories...oh boy! The 1/2 cup serving size is 190 calories. Admittedly, the 1/2 cup was actually a good portion for me, but most people will have at least 1 cup per serving, which is almost 400 calories without milk! That's....not good.

It is low in fat, has 0 cholesterol, and has natural sugars...but the weak flavour combined with high calories and low protein content makes it unworthy of my recommendation! I wouldn't buy this granola again.

The texture is really nice for a gluten free granola -- it closely resembled the oaty-ness you'd normally find in granolas.

Other flavours:

• Cinnamon Raisin Crunch
• Double Chocolate Crunch

Brand:

• Non-GMO certified
• Gluten free certified
• Free of the 8 most common allergens (wheat, gluten, nuts, casein, dairy, lactose, egg, soy, fish, shellfish, potato sesame, sulfites)

Review of 'Bear Naked' Nut Cluster Crunch Cereal (Honey Almond)

Bear Naked -- Nut Cluster Crunch Cereal (Honey Almond)
Overall Rating: 3.5/5
Summary: like the Maple Walnut flavour, this has such a nice crisp to it...a unique crisp! It's just very light and fresh. I didn't like that there wasn't a distinct difference in flavour from the Maple Walnut -- it was missing the almond element. There just weren't enough almond bits, outside from the ones in the clusters. It's still very delicious though! I wouldn't buy it again *only* because I'm not very impressed by the brand.

Where to buy: US store locator; buy online



Ingredients: whole hard red wheat, long grain white rice, evaporated cane juice crystals, oats, almonds, brown rice syrup, honey, sea salt, crisp rice (rice flour, sugar, malt extract, salt), barley malt syrup, puffed wheat, natural flavour, mixed tocopherols for freshness.

Nutrition Facts:
Serving size: 1 cup
Calories: 220
     Calories from fat: 15
Total fat: 2g
     Saturated fat: 0g
     Trans fat: 0g
     Polyunsaturated fat: 0g
     Monosaturated fat: 1g
Cholesterol: 0mg
Sodium: 260mg
Potassium: 135mg
Total Carb: 49g
     Dietary fiber: 4g
          Soluble fiber: 0g
          Insoluble fiber: 4g
     Sugars: 13g
Protein: 5g    
Calcium: 2%
Iron: 2%

The ingredients are decent and the nutritional profile is really good! There's a good amount of protein and fiber, good sodium level, very low in fat, and it has 0 cholesterol. This is a good cereal to start your day.

What would have made this cereal amazing: toasted almond bits throughout the cereal.  I only noted a couple of almond bits aside from the ones in the 'nut clusters.' I'd definitely recommend this cereal based solely on taste and nutritional content. However, if you tend to choose brands that are socially-, health- and environmentally-minded, I'd opt for Nature's Path products.

Other flavours:

• Nut Cluster Crunch -- Maple Nut (vegan) (reviewed here)

Brand (quoted from bearnaked.com):

• All natural -- no preservatives, artificial flavours
• Not all products are organic
• "While we do not actively source GMO ingredients, there are many factors outside of our control that have led to an environment in North America in which GMOs are not sufficiently controlled. There are a variety of major food crops that have seeds infiltrated by GMOs; therefore, it is possible that some Bear Naked foods containing these ingredients may contain GMOs"

Review of 'Earth Balance' Coconut Spread

Earth Balance -- Coconut Spread (vegan)
Overall Rating: 4.5/5
Summary: wow, the coconut was definitely not lost in this spread. You can really taste the coconutty goodness in this spread, but it's not so overpowering that you forget that it's a butter-based spread. After refrigerating, the spread becomes really hard, however it's still very spreadable (very important!) on warm toast. It's great for baking!

Where to buy: Fortinos

Ingredients: tropical oil blend (extra virgin coconut,* palm fruit,* and coconut oils), canola oil,* filtered water, contains less than 2% of salt, natural flavour, sunflower lecithin, lactic acid (non-dairy).
*Organic ingredients

Nutrition Facts:
Serving size: 1 tablespoon
Calories: 100
     Calories from fat: 100
Total fat: 11g
     Sat fat: 5g
     Trans: 0g
     Polyunsaturated: 1.5g
     Monounsaturated: 4g
Cholesterol: 0mg
Sodium: 70mg
Total Carb: 0g
     Sugars: 0g
Protein: 0g

Good fats, people! Okay, so good fats + decent calories (for butter!) + low sodium + no cholesterol + no sugars = great baking butter! It's also great on toast and pancakes (with maple syrup mmmm), of course. The flavour is really light and coconutty and is a nice change from the every day plain butter flavour. I liked that it was subtle enough to still resemble butter in taste because I still wanna feel like I'm eating butter on my toast.

I tried baking brownies with it and they came out really great. There was no discernable coconut flavour because it is a subtle flavouring competing with intense chocolate, but the brownies came out really rich and moist. I think cooking veggies with it would be great because the subtle vegetables would allow the coconut flavour to really make a presence!

I would definitely buy this product again, especially because I'm a huge fan of the brand (info below).

Here's a recipe using the Coconut Spread from the Earth Balance website:
Vegan Pho with Coconut Ginger Broth and Pan-Seared Tofu
It really sounds delicious!

Other flavours:

• Sweet Cinnamon (vegan)
• Roasted Garlic (vegan)

Brand:

• All products are vegan 
• Non-GMO
• Lactose free
• Gluten free
• 0 trans fats
• Many health and environmental initiatives
• Uses Green Palm Certificates
• No hydrogenated ingredients
• No preservatives or emulsifiers

Review of 'Tofurky' Beer Sausage/Beer Brats

Tofurky -- Beer Sausage/Beer Brats (vegan)
Overall Rating: 4.5/5
Summary: mmm! This was a delicious sausage -- soo very tasty, heavy/dense, and meaty. I'd definitely feel good serving this to a non-vegan, confident that they may actually be fooled. The nutritional profile isn't perfect, but the taste so makes up for it. I probably wouldn't buy this on the regular, but definitely as a treat once in a while.

Where to buy: Fortinos


Ingredients: organic tofu (water, organic soybeans, magnesium chloride, calcium chloride), wheat protein product, expeller pressed canola or high-oleic safflower oil, water, beer (5.5% alc. vol), textured wheat protein, onion, salt evaporated organic cane juice, spices, dehydrated onion, dehyrated garlic, vitamins and minerals (dipotassium phosphate, niacin, iron, zinc oxide, vitamin B12, calcium, pantothenate, vitamin B6, riboflavin). 

*Nutrition Facts:
Serving size: 1 sausage 
Calories: 280
Fat: 16g
     Saturated: 1g
     Trans: 0g
Cholesterol: 0mg
Sodium: 650mg
Carb: 8g
     Fiber: 5g
     Sugars: 1g
Protein: 24g
Calcium: 4%
Iron: 40%

*Full nutritional profile available here. 

So the ingredients are fine, *however* I do wonder about those 16g of fat...it would have been nice to see exactly how it's distributed in the different fat sub-categories (e.g. poly- and mono-unsaturated, etc. I also have an issue with the sodium content...when I add in a hot dog bun or any bread, plus condiments, this sodium count will definitely be 800mg+. This is way too high for me, but like I mentioned in the 'Summary', I would only get this sausage once in a while. And I'd probably watch my sodium intake for the rest of the day.

I do really like that it has 5g of fiber! This almost makes up for the high sodium. The 40% iron is also a nice daily boost. This sausage makes for a great for a great source of post-workout protein.

The flavour is amazing -- I can't really suggest any improvements, other than the fact that I didn't really get any 'beer' flavour...but it was so yummy, I really don't care. It actually had a little bit of spiciness, which I never find in meatless sausages, so I was pleased about that.

Other Sausage flavours (all vegan):

• Italian Style Tofu Sausage (reviewed here)
• Meatless Kielbasa (reviewed here)

Brand (quoted from tofurky.com):

• Non-GMO
• "We make our vegetarian products in small batches using only the finest organic and natural ingredients."
• No preservatives, MSG or other artificial ingredients.
• Kosher, vegan, and made with organic soybeans and/or organic tofu.
• Family owned and operated company.
• "Since our founding in 1980 Turtle Island Foods has strived to create delicious, nutritious, vegan soy meat alternatives that are lightly processed using traditional methods."

Review of 'Nature's Path' Sunny Hemp Granola Bars

Nature's Path -- Sunny Hemp Granola Bars (vegan)
Overall Rating: 4/5
Summary: K, these are deeeeelish! They're so very sweet (which is number 1 for me!) and the sunflower seed flavours really pack a punch. The bar is super chewy and crispy, making for really nice texture. It's also pretty filling!

Where to buy: Bulk Barn



Ingredients: granola* (rolled oats*, evaporated cane juice*, soy oil*), tapioca syrup*, brown rice flour*, invert cane syrup*, raisins* (coated with sunflower oil*), sunflower seeds*, flaxseeds*, hemp seeds*, acacia gum*, evaporated cane juice*, sea salt, natural flavor, molasses*.
*Organic. Contains soy. Produced in a facility that uses dairy, peanuts, tree nuts.

Nutrition Facts:
Serving size: 1 bar
Calories: 140
Fat: 3.5g
     Saturated: .5g
     Trans: 0g
     Polyunsaturated: 1.5g
          Omega-6: 1g
          Omega-3: .4g
     Monounsaturated: .9g
Cholesterol: 0mg
Sodium: 90mg
Potassium: 100mg
Carb: 24g
     Fibre: 3g
     Sugars: 11g
Protein: 3g
Calcium: 2%
Iron: 8%

I can't gush enough about these bars. The ingredients are super wholesome (would you really expect less from Nature's Path???) and the nutritional profile is great! It's a low-cal snack, has good fats, and a decent amount of protein and fiber (considering it's just a snack bar and not an energy/protein bar). 

The best part: the sunflower flavour (sunflower oil *and* sunflower seeds). It's definitely one of my favourite flavours. I would definitely recommend this bar! I wouldn't buy it again myself, simply because I tend to opt for high-protein post-workout energy bars. Also, I'm a Chocoholic so I'd prefer a bar with some chocolate component!

Give these to your kids to take to school instead of the alternatives out there. I know these may be more expensive, but do what I do, and stock up when they're on sale. Check out the Bulk Barn for sales!

Other flavours:

• Apple Pie Crunch Chia Plus (vegan)
• Berry Strawberry™ Flax Plus
• Chococonut (vegan)
• Honey Oat Crunch Flax Plus (vegan)
• Lotta' Apricotta™
• Macaroon Crunch (vegan)
• MMMaple Pecan™ Flax Plus®
• Peanut Buddy (vegan)
• Peanut Choco™ Crunch Ancient Grains (vegan)
• Peanut Choco™ (vegan)
• Pumpkin-N-Spice™ Flax Plus® (vegan)
• Cheetah Berry Crispy Rice (vegan)
• Koala Chocolate Crispy Rice
• Lemur Peanut Choco Drizzle Crispy Rice (vegan)
• Panda Peanut Butter Crispy Rice (vegan)
• Penguin Fruity Burst Crispy Rice (vegan)

Brand (quoted from the Nature's Path website):

• Family-owned and operated
•  Certified non-GMO and organic; non-GMO Project verified
• Fairtrade certified
• "We source all our ingredients as locally as possible to our production plants."
• "...over 78% of the weight of ingredients we purchase comes from organic farmers in North America."
• "Some of the ingredients we have committed to purchasing are Fairtrade Certified cocoa, sugar cane, molasses, and spices." 
• Gardens for Good Project

Review of 'SunRype' Fruit Plus Veggies (Strawberry Banana)

SunRype -- Fruit Plus Veggies (Strawberry Banana) (vegan)
Overall Rating: 3/5
Summary: man, I just can't get into the juices from concentrate. It wasn't thick and rich. It was thin and tasted diluted. It had a strong tartness to it, so I wouldn't recommend it to those who dislike sourish drinks. I like that there's no added sugar and that it does provide a great amount of vitamins A and C.

Where to buy: Fortinos, Foodland, No Frills, Wal-Mart

Ingredients: fruit juices from concentrate (filtered water, concentrated apple &/or grape &/or pear & orange juices), vegetable juices from concentrate (filtered water, concentrated carrot, celeriac, lettuce, beet, parsley, watercress & spinach juices), strawberry puree from concentrate (filtered water, concentrated strawberry puree), citric acid (for tartness), banana puree, natural flavour, vitamin C.

Nutrition Facts:
Serving size: 250mL
Calories: 120
Fat: 0g
Cholesterol: 0mg
Sodium: 75mg
Potassium: 230mg
Carb: 29g
     Fibre: 1g
     Sugars: 27g
Protein: 1g
Vitamin A: 80%
Vitamin C: 100%
Calcium: 2%
Iron: 4%

The banana is the star of the flavour show. It just wasn't fresh enough and rich enough sell me...I wouldn't buy this again. I'd opt for Kiju (reviewed here) -- fresh fruit juice, not from concentrate!

Other flavours (all vegan):

• Blueberry
• Mango Pineapple
• Raspberry Orange
• Tangerine Kiwi

Brand:

• No added sugar
• Nothing artificial
• No preservatives

Review of 'Yves' Veggie Chili

Yves -- Veggie Chili (vegan)

Overall Rating: 4/5
Summary: mmm, this is a super hearty, chunky chili! It has great flavours, though I would have liked a little bit more of a spicy kick. I liked that it had a good variety of vegetables, but I was missing some of the listed ingredients (didn't see any broccoli). The nutritional profile is good other than the very, very high sodium content.

Where to buy: Fortinos



Ingredients: water, tomatoes (tomatoes, tomato puree, salt, calcium chloride, citric acid), kidney beans, onions, green peppers, carrots, broccoli, soy protein product, corn, canola oil, chili powder, spices, corn starch, garlic, evaporated cane juice, yeast, jalapeno (jalapeno peppers, water, vinegar, salt), sea salt.

Contains soy.

Not suitable for consumption by persons with an allergy to sesame seeds, milk, eggs, fish, crustaceans, shellfish, wheat, sulphites or mustard.

Nutrition Facts:
Serving size: 1 cup
Calories: 210
Fat: 4.5g
     Saturated: .5g
     Trans: 0g
Cholesterol: 0g
Sodium: 720mg
Carb: 33g
     Fibre: 11g
     Sugars: 10g
Protein: 13g
Vitamin A: 50%
Vitamin C: 25%
Calcium: 8%
Iron: 35%

So the ingredients look great but I didn't quite come across any broccoli and didn't taste the jalapenos, which was a bummer! It really wasn't spicy at all. Next time, I may add in my own pepper.

I thought one cup was a good portion, but then I was hungry half an hour later. Not cool...but that may just be my body. It does have a lovely 13g of protein and 11g of fiber, which is insanely good. It also has a generous amount of vitamins and iron. The only downside is the very high sodium content...720mg for just one serving of chili that isn't quite a full meal...that's just way too much. I was super thirsty afterwards as well.

The chili itself is delicious. It's nice and chunky and was really satisfying after coming in from the cold (I went to Winners to throw away my money!). The beans were tender and the corn, carrots and soy protein made for great textures. I love broccoli, so I was disappointed that I didn't notice any. Despite how much sodium there is, it didn't taste too salty.

I probably wouldn't regularly buy this again simply because of the sodium content, but if you're craving a great vegan chili, I'd definitely recommend this one!

Other Yves 'Quick Meals' products (all vegan):

• Beef Veggie Tenders
• Chicken Satay Veggie Skewers
• Chicken Souvlaki Veggie Skewers
• Chicken Veggie Tenders
• Salami Slices (reviewed here)
• Teriyaki Chick'n Veggie Tenders
• Veggie Bologna Slices (reviewed here)
• Veggie Cajun Chick'n Slices
• Veggie Corn Dogs
• Veggie Ham Slices
• Veggie Meatballs Frozen 
• Veggie Nuggets with Whole Grain Breading
• Veggie Pizza Pepperoni Slices (reviewed here)
• Veggie Turkey Slices (reviewed here)

Brand:

• Uncertain GMO status
• Kosher
• Preservative-free
• Free of artificial colours and flavours

Review of 'Levant Mediterranean Snack Foods' All Natural Falafel Chips

Levant Mediterranean Snack Foods -- All Natural Falafel Chips
Overall Rating: 2.5/5
Summary: I liked the seasoning of these chips but I found that the chips were too lightly dressed. The flavour lasts for just a few chews, until all I could taste was the bare flour mix. Also, the serving size to calorie ratio wasn't the greatest. Very 'meh'.

Where to buy: Bulk Barn, Rabba, Sobey's


Ingredients: Levant Flour Blend (Corn, Garbanzo, Fava and Rice Flours), Expeller Pressed High Oleic Sunflower Oil (and/or Safflower, Cottonseed, Canola, Corn Oil), Spices, Dehydrated Parsley and Onion and Lightly Seasoned With A Blend of Sea Salt, Spices, Honey Powder (Maltodextrin, Honey), Dehydrated Parsley and Onion, Natural Flavor, Yeast Extract.

Nutrition Facts:
Serving size: about 10 chips/28g
Calories: 150
Calories from fat: 70
Total fat: 8g
     Saturated fat: .5g
     Trans: 0g
Cholesterol: 0mg
Sodium: 70mg
Total Carb: 17g
     Dietary fiber: 3g
     Sugars: 0g
Protein: 2g
Vitamin A: 4%
Iron: 6%

These falafel chips have a decent nutritional profile, but nothing too impressive. I'm appreciative of the 0 cholesterol, low sodium, and fiber content. However, the calories for just 10 chips isn't that great. I definitely have more than 10 chips when I'm snacking! Especially if I'm sitting in front of the TV.

So on it's own, these chips lacked in seasoning. If eaten with a nicely flavoured hummus, it's definitely better.

I won't be buying these chips again. The flavour just isn't impactful. I normally buy chips that can stand on their own, in addition to being used with dips. Also, there's nothing great about the company that moves me to support them, so I'll pass on Levant.

Brand:

• Because of their bare bones website, there are no interesting facts to report :/

Review of 'El Peto' Whole Grain Flax Seed Bread

El Peto -- Whole Grain Flax Seed Bread (vegan)
Overall Rating: 2.5/5
Summary: ah, this bread was very grainy but not in a good way. It was difficult to swallow at times. It wasn't very flavourful and was missing the complexity that my usual non-gluten-free breads have (e.g. ACE Bakery) but it didn't taste horrible. It had a slightly slimy taste but it didn't taste rancid or spoiled. For 100 calories, each slice is very, very small and the nutrition isn't impressive. I won't be buying this bread again.

Where to buy: Fortinos

Ingredients: water, gluten free flour mix (potato starch, whole grain brown rice flour, potato syrup solids, guar gum), potato flour, flax seeds stone-ground, sunflower oil, salt, gluten free yeast.

Nutrition Facts:
Serving size: 1 slice
Servings per container: 14
Calories: 100
Fat: 3.5g
     Saturated: .3g
     Trans: 0g
     Polyunsaturated: 1.5g
          Omega-6: 1.5g
          Omega-3: .2g
     Monounsaturated: 1g
Cholesterol: 0mg
Sodium: 100mg
Carb: 16g
     Fibre: 2g
     Sugars: 0g
Protein: 1g
Vitamin C: 2%
Iron: 2%     

So the ingredients are fine -- no issues to report. But...the nutrition is lackluster. There's only 1g of protein and 2g of fiber and scant amounts of iron and vitamin C. Nothing exciting to report.

The texture was missing some fun! There were no bits of crunch or chewiness or nuts or anything. It was very plain. It was also kinda tough and this made it difficult to eat without a drink at hand. The flavour was equally unimpressive. There was no heartiness, savouryness or sweetness. It was simply an average bread.

I definitely wouldn't buy this again.

Other El Peto breads:

• Italian Style Bread
• Supreme Italian Bread (vegan)
• Gourmet Bread
• Potato Bread (vegan)
• Raisin Bread
• Cheese Bread
• Tapioca Bread (vegan)
• Whole Grain Brown Sandwich Bread (vegan)
• Whole Grain Brown Bread (vegan)
• White Rice Sandwich Bread (vegan)
• White Bread
• Millet Bread (vegan)
• Whole Grain Flax Seed Bread (vegan)
• Whole Grain Multi Grain Bread (vegan)

Brand: 

• No artificial colourings, flavourings, or preservatives
• Natural sweeteners

Review of 'Vitasoy' Organic Unsweetened Soymilk

Vitasoy -- Organic Unsweetened Soymilk (vegan)
Overall Rating: 4/5
Summary: this is definitely the creamiest soymilk I've tried so far and the nutritional profile is also superior to my previous soymilk purchases. It's very smooth and not at all grainy. On its own, it has that distinct 'soy' flavour. When eaten with cereal, it's tougher to get that soy flavour as it becomes diluted by the sugars and flavours of the cereal. This is a regular in our pantry and the creaminess makes it great for cooking! The only downside is that it looks curdled in coffee/tea and leaves residue. It can seem like it's spoiled, but this texture is unique and normal to this product.

Where to buy: Fortions, Bulk Barn, New Asia, Oceans

Ingredients: Filtered Water, Organic Whole Soybeans, Organic Barley Extract, Calcium Carbonate, Natural flavours, Salt, Carrageenan, Zinc Oxide, Riboflavin, Vitamin A Acetate,  Vitamin D2, Vitamin B12.

Nutrition Facts:
Serving size: 240 mL
Calories: 90
Total fat: 4.5g
     Saturated fat: .5g
     Trans: 0g
     Polyunsaturated: 2.5g
     Monounsaturated: 1g
Cholesterol: 0mg
Sodium: 140mg
Potassium: 340mg
Total Carb: 5g
     Dietary fiber: 1g
     Sugars: 1g
Protein: 9g
Vitamin A: 10%
Calcium: 25%
Iron: 8%

These clean ingredients  make for an awesome nutritional profile. There are NINE grams of protein in 1 serving and only 90 calories! You just can't beat that combination. It's low in carbs, sugars, and saturated fat and rich in the good fats (poly- and mono-unsaturated). I would have given this a 4.5/5 if not for the poor ranking on the Cornucopia Institute's non-GMO scale (see below).

The flavour is distinctly 'soy' when you drink it on its own, so if you're not a huge fan of 'soy', I'd opt for the flavoured/sweetened versions (e.g. Natura's Original Fortified Soy Beverage -- reviewed here).

Because it's so nice and creamy, I love using Vitasoy in my post-workout smoothies. I usually add anywhere from 1/4 cup to 1/2 cup to my Vega protein powder and about a cup of any fruit. It is simply divine! I also use it extensively in baking for the same reason.

Other flavours (all vegan):

• Original
• Vanilla
• Chocolate
• Lite Original
• Lite Chocolate
• Lite Vanilla
• Holly Nog (reviewed here)

Brand:

• It's difficult to say whether or not Vitasoy is non-GMO because its www.vitasoy.com.au website cites its products as non-GM BUT the Cornucopia Institute ranks it very low (a 1 out of 5) on the non-GMO scale (read here).
• "Vitasoy-USA readily shared their sourcing information, but they do not buy directly from family farmers. Their supplier would not disclose the sourcing of their organic soybeans, but our research indicates that their supplier works directly with North-American organic farmers." (cited from cornucopia.org)