Review of Mott's Snack & Go (Strawberry Pouch)

Mott's -- Snack & Go (Strawberry Pouch) (vegan)
Overall Rating: 3.5/5
Summary: This tastes more naturally sweet compared to the Cinnamon Pouch (reviewed here). I am glad they opted to not include the high fructolse corn syrup that they used in the Cinnamon Pouch. I personally would buy this again and I think it makes for a great snack for kids relative to other products out there. Steer clear of the Cinnamon Pouch, and opt for this natural strawberry instead!

Where to buy: Walmart, Fortinos, Metro, most grocery stores



Ingredients: APPLES, STRAWBERRY PUREE CONCENTRATE, WATER, FRUIT AND VEGETABLE JUICES (FOR COLOR), ASCORBIC ACID (VITAMIN C), NATURAL FLAVORS.

Nutrition Facts
Serving size: 1 pouch
Calories: 40
Total fat: 0g
Cholesterol: 0mg
Sodium: 5mg
Potassium: 75mg
Total carb: 10g
     Dietary fiber: 1g
     Sugar: 8g
Protein: 0g
Vitamin C: 25%

The ingredients are good. There's no high fructose syrup and it's not artificially sweet or sugary. It's super low-calorie and low fat and has a nice dose of vitamin C. I would definitely recommend this.

Other Snack & Go flavours (all vegan):

• Cinnamon (reviewed here)
• Natural
• Original
• Mixed Berry
• Granny Smith
• Mango Peach

Brand:

• Still uses high fructose corn syrup in some products
• Since 1842
• No preservatives
• "Dr. Pepper Snapple Group Sued Over Mott’s For Tots Immunity Claims" (read article here)
• "Coca-Cola, Gerber, Hain Celestial & Mott’s Class Action Lawsuit Filed Over Alleged Lead Contamination In Certain Products" (read article here)

Review of 'Grains of Truth' Coconut Banana Whole Grain Snacks

Grains of Truth -- Coconut Banana (vegan)
Overall rating: 4/5
Summary: you really do get the coconut and banana flavours, which is great. I loved that it actually had a buttery aftertaste...I suppose from the coconut. It's super crunchy, airy, and fresh and medium sweet. I really enjoyed this snack; it's yummy, wholesome, and low-calorie. Recommended!

Where to buy: Amazon, Vita Cost

Ingredients: Whole grain cereals (wheat, rolled oats, sorghum), raw cane sugar, dried coconut (flavor), dried banana (flavor), rice bran oil, salt, vitamin E, rosemary extract.

Nutrition Facts
Serving size: about 14 pieces
Calories: 120
     Calories from fat: 20
Total fat: 2.5g
     Saturated fat: 1g
     Trans fat: 0g
Cholesterol: 0mg
Sodium: 65mg
Total carbohydrates: 22g
     Dietary fiber: 2g
     Sugars: 7g
Protein: 2g
Iron: 4%

Well, can't say anything negative about the ingredients. The nutritional profile is decent for a low calorie snack, with 2g of protein and fiber. It's also a plus that it's low sodium.

Other varieties (all vegan):

• Berry Blast
• Mango Passion (reviewed here)
• Vanilla

Brand:

• Sadly, there's no website with brand info

Review of 'Gardein' Barbeque Wings

Gardein -- Barbeque Wings (vegan)
Overall Rating: 4/5
Summary: I like that this fries to a crispy outer and juicy inner; the texture is very authentic (like chicken!); although the sauce is a tad bit too sweet for me...I rather enjoyed it naked. You could always use your preferred sauce. This is a pretty good product, but may not be entirely GMO-free (e.g. use of canola oil).

Where to buy: Freshco, Fortinos



Ingredients: water, soy protein isolate*, vital wheat gluten*, expeller pressed/canola oil, organic ancient grain flour (kamut ®, amaranth, millet, quinoa), natural flavor (from plant sources), modified vegetable gum, yeast extract, sea salt, organic cane sugar, potato starch, onion powder, garlic powder, pea protein, vinegar, carrot fiber, beetroot fiber, extractives of paprika and turmeric. sauce: crushed tomatoes (tomatoes, salt, citric acid), organic cane sugar, water, dijon mustard (water, mustard flour, white vinegar), blackstrap molasses, malted barley extract, sea salt, spices, vinegar, corn starch, xanthan gum, onion powder, hickory smoke flavor, paprika, garlic powder.

*non-genetically engineered soy and wheat.

Nutrition Facts
Serving size: 4 wings
Calories: 120
     Calories from fat: 45
Total fat: 5g
     Saturated fat: 0g
     Trans fat: 0g
Cholesterol: 0mg
Sodium: 330mg
Total carbohydrates: 5g
     Dietary fiber: 1g
     Sugars: 1g
Protein: 14g
Calcium: 2%
Iron: 10%

The ingredients look fine, save for the canola oil. I am not sure if it is non-genetically modified. The nutritional profile is great, though scant on the fiber. But, add some veggies as a side, and you're good to go. It's low fat, average sodium, and huge on protein. There's also a nice dose of iron.

Brand (quoted from gardein.com):

• The majority of gardein ingredients come from North American farms.
• Uses non-MSG yeast extract to enhance gardein™'s flavor.  
• "...wherever possible, we use the best organic and certified non-GMO ingredients..."
• "...we like to diversify our proteins by using wheat, soy and pea proteins..."
• Contains no preservatives or artificial flavors.  
• "Our soy is grown in the United States and Canada."
• "...our suppliers ensure that all our ingredients do not contain pesticides or herbicides - in line with all federal, state/provincial, and municipal regulations."
• "... we only use 'identity-preserved' soy protein (which basically means, it helps to ensure us that our soy protein is not genetically modified)."

Review of Nature's Path -- Chococonut Granola Bars

Nature's Path -- Chococonut (vegan)
Overall Rating: 3.5/5
Summary: I had higher expectations for this bar...the chocolate and coconut flavours should be a little richer and deeper in flavour. There are a lot of chocolate chips, but I didn't get enough of the coconut flavour. The bar is medium sweet and quite nice, overall. I would recommend this bar, especially for chocolate lovers. I just would personally prefer more of a coconut flavour and a denser bar with more complex textures than rice puffs.

Where to buy: Bulk Barn, Fortinos




Ingredients: Granola* (rolled oats*, evaporated cane juice*, soy oil*), tapioca syrup*, chocolate chips*(evaporated cane juice*, unsweetened chocolate *, cocoa butter*, soy lecithin*), brown rice flour*, invert cane syrup*, dried coconut*, acacia gum*, soy oil*, evaporated cane juice*, sea salt, natural coconut flavor, molasses*. *Organic. Contains soy. Produced in a facility that uses dairy, peanuts and tree nuts.

Nutrition Facts
Serving size: 1 bar
Calories: 140
     Calories from fat: 40
Total fat: 4.5g
     Saturated fat: 2g
     Trans fat: 0g
Cholesterol: 0mg
Sodium: 30mg
Potassium: 70mg
Total carbohydrate: 24g
     Dietary fiber: 2g
     Sugars: 11g
Protein: 2g
Calcium: 2%
Iron: 6%

Fantastic ingredients; pretty much wholly organic. The nutrition facts are decent. There's 2g of fiber and protein and it's low calorie, but I definitely need a bar that's more protein and fiber heavy, especially as an active person who's always hungry!

Other Granola Bar varieties:

• Berry Strawberry™ Flax Plus® Granola Bars
• Peanut Choco™ Granola Bars (vegan)
• Pumpkin-N-Spice™ Flax Plus® Granola Bars (vegan)
• Sunny Hemp™ Hemp Plus® Granola Bars (vegan) (reviewed here)
• Peanut Buddy™ Granola Bars (vegan)
• Lotta’ Apricotta™ Granola Bars
• Mmmaple Pecan™ Flax Plus® Granola Bars

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