Review of 'Quaker' Instant Oatmeal (Apples and Cinnamon)

Quaker -- Apples and Cinnamon (Vegan)
Overall Rating: 3/5
Summary: The cinnamon and apple flavours are very present and there are many pieces of apples. I made mine with a bit of lightly flavoured vanilla soymilk and boiled water and it was sweet and true to the flavours. Still, I would not recommend this product because of the use of artificial ingredients and the fact that the Quaker brand continues to produce foods with trans fats and other ingredients harmful to health.

Where to buy: most major grocery stores



Ingredients: WHOLE GRAIN ROLLED OATS, SUGAR, DEHYDRATED APPLES (TREATED WITH SODIUM SULFITE TO PROMOTE COLOR RETENTION), NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL FLAVOR, SALT, CINNAMON, CALCIUM CARBONATE, CITRIC ACID, GUAR GUM, MALIC ACID, NIACINAMIDE*, REDUCED IRON, VITAMIN A PALMITATE, PYRIDOXINE HYDROCHLORIDE*, RIBOFLAVIN*, THIAMIN MONONITRATE*, FOLIC ACID*, CARAMEL COLOR.

Nutrition Facts
Serving size: 1 packet
Calories: 160
     Calories from fat: 20
Total fat: 2g
     Saturated fat: 0g
     Trans fat: 0g
Cholesterol: 0mg
Sodium: 200mg
Potassium: 140mg
Total Carbohydrate: 33g
     Dietary fiber: 4g
     Soluble fiber: 1g
     Sugars: 12g
Protein: 4g
Vitamin A: 30%
Calcium: 10%
Iron: 20%

Full nutritional profile here.

The ingredients contain sodium sulfite, which can create strong adverse reactions in some people (from headaches, wheezing, respiratory distress, to anaphylactic shock, death, etc. mostly in people with asthma). Thus, the FDA requires labeling of all sulfites. It also contains caramel colouring, of which some varieties are linked to cancer, increased blood pressure, allergies, and lowered immune system functioning. The nutritional profile is good; it's low fat, low-calorie, and has a nice amount of fiber and protein as well as many vitamins and nutrients. Still, it doesn't make up for the poor ingredients, so I would not recommend this.

Other 'Instant Oatmeal' flavours:

• Chocolate Chip (vegan)
• Cinnamon and Spice (vegan)
• Cinnamon Roll (vegan)
• Dinosaur Eggs
• Fruit and Cream varieties
• Honey Bun (vegan)
• Maple and Brown Sugar (vegan)
• Original (vegan)
• Peaces and Cream
• Raisins and Spice (vegan) (reviewed here)
• Raisin, Date, and Walnut (vegan)
• Strawberries and Cream
• Apples and Cranberries (vegan)

Brand:

• Continues to include trans fats, artificial flavours, colouring, genetically modified ingredients despite branding itself as health conscious and progressive
• Goal: to reduce water and electricity consumption by 20% and fuel consumption by 25% by 2015 (Oats and the Environment)
• Since 1901
• Part of PepsiCo since 2001 (against GMO-labelling)

Review of 'Quaker' Instant Oatmeal (Raisins and Spice)

Quaker -- Instant Oatmeal (Raisins and Spice) (vegan)
Overall Rating: 2.5/5
Summary: I like this. There are lots of raisins; no skimping there. They could have been a bit juicier and plumper. It's only mildly sweet. I had this with water and a bit of soymilk and it was quite filling for just 1 package. However, the brand is ranks horribly overall, as it still uses BHT, various artificial ingredients, GMOs, trans fats and is part of PepsiCo, known for their anti-non-GMO campaigning.

Where to buy: most major grocery stores



Ingredients: WHOLE GRAIN ROLLED OATS, RAISINS, SUGAR, SALT, CALCIUM CARBONATE,  GUAR GUM, SPICES, NIACINAMIDE*, REDUCED IRON, VITAMIN A PALMITATE, PYRIDOXINE HYDROCHLORIDE*, RIBOFLAVIN*, THIAMIN MONONITRATE*, FOLIC ACID*.

Nutrition Facts
Serving size: 1 packet
Calories: 150
Total fat: 2g
     Saturated fat: 0g
     Trans fat: 0g
     Polyunsaturated fat: .5g
     Monounsaturated fat: 1g
Cholesterol: 0mg
Sodium: 210mg
Potassium: 160mg
Total Carbohydrate: 32g
     Dietary fiber: 3g
     Insoluble fiber: 1g
     Sugars: 14g
Protein: 4g
Vitamin A: 15%
Calcium: 10%
Iron: 20%

Full nutritional profile here.

The ingredients aren't bad at all in this specific flavour and the nutritional profile is quite good. For only 150 calories, it's low in fat and sodium, has a nice portion of protein and fiber, and vitamin A, calcium, and iron. Added with (soy)(rice)(almond) milk works very well. I still wouldn't recommend it based on the unimpressiveness of the brand and the poor quality of ingredients in some Quaker products.

Other 'Instant Oatmeal' flavours:

• Apples and Cinnamon (vegan)
• Chocolate Chip (vegan)
• Cinnamon and Spice (vegan)
• Cinnamon Roll (vegan)
• Dinosaur Eggs
• Fruit and Cream varieties
• Honey Bun (vegan)
• Maple and Brown Sugar (vegan)
• Original (vegan)
• Peaces and Cream
• Raisin, Date, and Walnut (vegan)
• Strawberries and Cream
• Apples and Cranberries (vegan)

Brand:

• Continues to include trans fats, artificial flavours, colouring, genetically modified ingredients despite branding itself as health conscious and progressive
• Goal: to reduce water and electricity consumption by 20% and fuel consumption by 25% by 2015 (Oats and the Environment)
• Since 1901
• Part of PepsiCo since 2001 (against GMO-labelling)

Review of 'Clif Bar' Cool Mint Chocolate

Clif Bar -- Cool Mint Chocolate (vegan)
Overall Rating: 4/5
Summary: legitimately minty, though not too minty! It's sweet and chocolatey, so it's true to the 'cool mint chocolate' flavour. There's also an icing drizzle that makes for a nice texture. I would recommend this bar, but as I'm not a big mint fan, I'd opt for some of the other flavours (e.g. peanut butter!!!).
 
Where to buy: Bulk Barn, Fortinos, Costco, Shopper's Drug Mart

 

Ingredients: Organic Brown Rice Syrup, ClifPro® (Soy Rice Crisps [Soy Protein Isolate, Rice Flour, Barley Malt Extract], Organic Roasted Soybeans, Organic Soy Flour), Organic Rolled Oats, Organic Cane Syrup, Organic Soy Butter (Organic Roasted Soybeans, Organic Soybean Oil, Salt), Chocolate Cookies (Organic Oat Flour, Organic Dried Cane Syrup, Alkalized Cocoa‡, Sunflower Oil, Unsweetened Chocolate‡, Salt, Baking Soda, Soy Lecithin), ClifCrunch® (Apple Fiber, Organic Oat Fiber, Organic Milled Flaxseed, Inulin [Chicory Extract], Organic Psyllium), Alkalized Cocoa‡, Organic Fig Paste, Soy White Chocolate (Organic Dried Cane Syrup, Cocoa Butter‡, Soy Flour, Soy Lecithin, Organic Vanilla Extract), Natural Flavors, Sea Salt, Green Tea Extract (50mg Caffeine Equivalent).

ALLERGEN STATEMENT: CONTAINS SOY. MAY CONTAIN TRACES OF MILK, PEANUTS, WHEAT, AND TREE NUTS.

Nutrition Facts
Serving size: 1 bar
Calories: 250
Total Fat: 5g
     Saturated Fat: 1.5g
     Trans Fat: 0g
Cholesterol: 0mg
Sodium: 170mg
Potassium: 290mg
Total carbohydrate: 43g
     Dietary fiber: 5g
     Insoluble fiber: 3g
     Sugars: 22g
     Other carbohydrate: 16g
Protein: 10g
Vitamin A: 30%
Vitamin C: 90%
Calcium: 25%
Iron: 10%

Full nutritional profile here.

Check the ingredients...there's caffeine! Yayy...makes for a great snack...filling and energizing. With 250 calories, there's 10g of protein and a nice dose of fiber...and, check out the vitamins and nutrients...totally worth those 250 calories. 
Other Clif Bar flavours (all vegan, baby):

• Apricot
• Banana Nut Bread
• Black Cherry Almond (reviewed here)
• Blueberry Crisp
• Carrot Cake (reviewed here) 
• Chocolate Almond Fudge (reviewed here)
• Chocolate Brownie
• Chocolate Chip (reviewed here)
• Chocolate Chip Peanut Crunch
• Coconut Chocolate Chip
• Crunchy Peanut Butter
• Gary's Panforte
• Iced Gingerbread
• Maple Nut (reviewed here) 
• Oatmeal Raisin Walnut
• Peanut Toffee Buzz
• Peppermint Stick
• Spiced Pumpkin
• White Chocolate Macadamia

Brand:

• Each Clif Bar is 70% organic
• No high-fructose corn syrup, no hydrogenated oils
• No artificial preservatives or trans fats
• No artificial colours, sweeteners or flavours
• Non-GMO
• Clif Bar Family Foundation
• Commitment to Zero Waste
• Climate Action Approach
• Partnerships with American Forests and Trees for the Future
• Organic farming strategy
• Certified Sustainable
• Community involvement (e.g. collaboration with other businesses, volunteering, sharing products, philanthropy)

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

Nature Valley -- Oats 'n Dark Chocolate
Overall Rating: 4/5
Summary: very chocolatey and medium sweet. It's not quite as crunchy as I expected, but still decent texture. I'd recommend the bar,but will likely not buy it again myself...simply because I prefer more fiber/protein and vitamins/minerals for post-workout snacks.

Where to buy: Wal-Mart, Freshco



Ingredients:  whole grain oats, sugar, canola oil, dark chocolate pieces (sugar, chocolate liquor, cocoa butter, soy lecithin, natural flavour, salt), yellow corn flour, honey, soy flour, cocoa, brown sugar syrup, salt, soy lecithin, natural flavor, baking soda.

Nutrition Facts
Serving size: 2 bars
Calories: 190
Total fat: 7g
     Saturated fat: 1.5g
     Trans fat: 0g
Cholesterol: 0mg
Sodium: 140mg
Total carbohydrate: 28g
     Dietary fiber: 3g
     Sugars: 12g
Protein: 4g
Iron: 4%

These ingredients are not bad, not bad at all. For 190 calories, there's 4g of protein and 3g of fiber, no cholesterol, and it's low in sodium. I'd recommend this bar.


Other 'Crunchy Bars' flavours:

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

 Brand:

• I couldn't find much information about the brand and its ingredients on the official website
• 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" (July 2012)
• A proposed class action Monday in California federal court alleging it deceptively marketed its Nature Valley snacks as all-natural when they actually contain genetically modified organisms ("General Mills Targeted Over GMOs In Nature Valley Snacks") (October 2012)
• Involved in the Preserve the Parks Project
• Official natural granola bar of the PGA Tour, US Ski Team

Review of 'Raaw' Carrot Lemonade

Raaw - Carrot Lemonade (vegan)
Overall Rating: 3.5/5
Summary: very nice...tart lemonade flavour with the sweet carrot backdrop. There's a slight bitterness from the carrots, but it works well in my opinion. I personally wouldn't opt for this again simply because I'm not a big lemonade drinker, but I love the brand and I'm keen on trying the other flavours. I highly recommend this flavour for lemonade/carrot appreciators.

Where to buy: Good Health Mart - Bramalea

Ingredients: Carrot Juice, Pineapple Juice, Apple Juice, Lemon Juice, Natural Flavors, Apple Pectin and Beta Carotene

Nutrition Facts
Serving size: 240 mL
Calories: 110
     Cal from fat: 0
Total fat: 0g
Sodium: 60mg
Potassium: 100mg
Total Carb: 27g
     Dietary fiber: 1g
     Sugars: 26g
Protein: 1g
Vitamin A: 500%
Vitamin C: 35%
Calcium: 2%
Iron: 2%

Fantastic, simple, and nutritious ingredients and a correspondingly fantastic profile: for 110 calories, this is a filling snack that's high in vitamins and low in sodium and fat. Definitely a recommended snack and energizer.

Other varieties (all vegan):

• Strawberry Purple Carrot
• Very Berry Wheatgrass
• Mango Guarana
• Cranberry Ginger
• Raspberry Lemongrass
• Passionfruit Wheatgrass
• Better Beets
• Pineapple Cucumber

Brand:

• No added sugars, no preservatives, no artificial dyes or flavoring, and no water
• Gluten Free, Non-GMO Verified, Kosher, and Vegan
• Donates thousands of bottles of juice to various programs across the USA, food pantries, soup kitchens, and organizations that help feed the homeless and less fortunate nationwide, to Feed the Children each year, and to organizations that assist kids’ better nutrition
• Participates in numerous events, shows, festivals, and community gatherings annually
• Use compost friendly paper cups, recycle out PET #1 plastic bottles, and transports PP #5 plastic caps to Miami to be properly recycled
• More on initiatives here

Review of 'Blue Diamond' Honey Roasted Almonds

Blue Diamond - Honey Roasted Almonds (not vegan)
Overall rating: 4.5/5
Summary: medium sweet, nice sugary granules coat each piece, super crunchy, definitely get the roasted flavour. It really is delicious. It is a fantastic snack, with protein, a bit of fiber, and is low in saturated fat. I am recommending this!

Where to buy: Freshco, Fortinos, Sobeys, Bulk Barn


Ingredients: almonds, sugar, vegetable oil (canola, safflower and/or sunflower), honey, salt, corn maltodextrin.

Nutrition Facts
Serving size: 28 nuts
Calories: 160
     Calories from fat: 120
Total fat: 13g
     Sat. fat: .1g
     Trans fat: 0g
Cholesterol: 0mg
Sodium: 60mg
Potassium: 160mg
Total carb.: 9g
     Dietary fiber: 2g
     Sugars: 5g
Protein: 5g
Calcium: 6%
Iron: 4%
Vitamin E: 30%
Magnesium: 15%

I'm pleased with the nutritional profile here. It's a good calorie count for the protein and fiber content and it's low in fat and sodium. Not to mention the healthy dose of vitamin E, which we know, as an antioxidant, is important for the health of our skin.

Other varieties:

• Lightly Salted (vegan) (reviewed here)
• Smokehouse (vegan)
• Roasted Salted (vegan)
• Whole Natural (vegan) (reviewed here)

Brand:

• Soy-free
• No MSG
• Non-GMO
• All refrigerated products are kosher
• Gluten-free
• No artificial flavours
• No BPA in packaging
• Almonds are grown by a growers cooperative