Review of 'Vitasoy' Mint Chocolate

Vitasoy -- Mint Chocolate (vegan)
Overall Rating: 4/5
Summary: okay, I'm not a mint fan, but I can appreciate why this would be good for mint lovers. It's a pretty good balance of both mint and chocolate. I normally really don't care for mint-flavoured foods and beverages, but...okay, I'll admit this one is a hit. As a non-mint lover, though, I personally wouldn't buy it again, especially since it's a whopping 160 calories per cup. Also, carrageenan has been linked to gastrointestinal health issues and colon cancer in some studies (read more about it here).

Where to buy: Fortinos



Ingredients: filtered water, organic dried sugar cane juice, organic whole soybeans, organic cocoa (processed with alkali), organic sunflower oil, natural flavors, carrageenan, salt.

Nutrition Facts
Serving size: 250ml
Calories: 160
Fat: 4g
     Saturated: .5g
     Trans: 0g
     Polyunsaturated: 2.5g
          Omega-6: 2g
          Omega-3: .3g
     Monounsaturated: .9g
Cholesterol: 0mg
Sodium: 125mg
Potassium: 320mg
Carbohydrate: 27g
     Fiber: 1g
     Sugars: 24g
Protein: 5g
Calcium: 2%
Iron: 4%

So yes, the ingredients are organic and swell. But, the second ingredient is sugar cane juice, which translates into 24g of sugar for a cup! That's just too much for me. Additionally, the 160 calories is too high for me, especially since I'm not big on the mint flavour. The only plus is the low saturated fat and healthy poly- and mono-unsaturated fats...also the 5g of protein isn't too bad.

Check out this Mint Chocolate Pudding recipe from Vitasoy.

Other soymilk flavours (all vegan):

• Original
• Vanilla
• Lite Plus Original
• Lite Plus Vanilla
• Lite Chocolate
• Holly Nog (reviewed here)
• Unsweetened (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). Update: rating has gone up to 3/5, so it's likely that Vitasoy does use non-GMO soybeans.
• "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)

Review of 'Nature's Path' Flax Plus (Maple Pecan Crunch)

Nature's Path Flax Plus (Maple Pecan Crunch) (vegan)
Overall Rating: 4.5/5
Summary: woowwwww, super crunchy and fresh. Gosh, the flavour is out of this world with depth in that maple pecan. It's lightly sweet but so packed with flavour and sweet clusters of crunchiness that it's just...oh, so good. It has this deep cane sugary flavour as well. I was surprised to find a good amount of pecans as well! It also received the 'Best New Product Grand Prix Award'. I highly recommend this cereal and brand (read more about how fantastic Nature's Path is below).

Where to buy: Fortinos, Bulk Barn



Ingredients: whole wheat meal*, rolled oats*, evaporated cane juice*, wheat bran*, pecans*, flax*, soy oil*, brown rice flour*, oat bran*, barley malt extract*, sea salt, maple syrup*, coconut*, natural maple flavor, oat syrup solids* (oat syrup solids*, tocopherols), tocopherols (natural vitamin E), molasses*, cinnamon*.

*Organic. Contains wheat, soy and tree nuts. Produced in a facility that uses peanuts.

 Nutrition Facts
Serving size: 2/3 cup
Calories: 220
Fat: 7g
     Saturated fat: 1g
     Trans: 0g
     Polyunsaturated: 3g
          Omega-6: 1.5g
          Omega-3: .7g
     Monounsaturated: 2g
Cholesterol: 0mg
Sodium: 190mg
Potassium: 230mg
Carbohydrate: 38g
     Fibre: 5g
     Sugars: 10g
Protein: 6g
Calcium: 2%
Iron: 15%

I'd rate it higher if not for the higher calories for just 2/3 cup, because clearly these ingredients are stellar. The nutritional profile is strong with only 1g of saturated fat and some great healthy fats. It's a wee bit higher in sodium than I'd like in my cereals, but the 5g of fiber and 6g of protein balance that out a bit. Still, I generally prefer to have more fibre and protein, or at least more of one either one. This is a delicious cereal, but not one I'd have on a regular basis. It's a nice little indulgence for a week or so until I switch back to my higher protein, higher fiber, lower sugar, and lower sodium cereals.
    
Other 'Flax Plus' Cold Cereals:

• Flax Plus® Flakes
• Flax Plus® Raisin Bran Flakes
• Flax Plus® Red Berry Crunch
• Pumpkin Flax Plus® Granola
• Optimum Power® Blueberry Cinnamon Flax Cereal
• Flax Plus® Pumpkin Raisin Crunch
• Flax Plus® Cinnamon
• Vanilla Almond Flax Plus™ Granola

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 'Quaker Oats' Old Fashioned Quaker Oats

Quaker Oats -- Old Fashioned Quaker Oats (vegan)
Overall Rating: 4/5
Summary: so I just broke the seal and cooked the first serving and man, can you can really taste how fresh, hearty, and oaty it is. I really enjoy this as my morning cereal. It's plain, so you can be as imaginative as you like when flavouring. I regularly opt for Silk Original soymilk with some brown sugar, but more recently, I've been adding dried raisins and berries. It makes for a wholesome breakfast. I would have awarded it a higher score if Quaker didn't continue using trans-fats and artificial ingredients in their products *and* work against the GMO labeling project. I'm not a big fan of the brand.

Where to buy: most major grocery stores, Quaker e-store




Ingredients: 100% natural whole grain Quaker quality rolled oats.

Nutrition Facts
Serving size: 1/2 cup dry
Calories: 150
     Calories from fat: 25
Total Fat: 3g
     Saturated: .5g
     Trans: 0g
     Polyunsaturated: 1g
     Monounsaturated: 1g
Cholesterol: 0mg
Sodium: 0mg
Total Carbohydrate: 27g
     Dietary fiber: 4g
          Soluble fiber: 2g
          Insoluble fiber: 2g
     Sugars: 1g
Protein: 5g
Iron: 10%

Okay, so I'm not fan of the Quaker brand, but I do appreciate the simplicity of ingredient in this specific product as well as the nutritional profile. One serving is low-calorie and high nutrient; for a mere 150 cals, you get 4g fiber and 5g protein. When you add about a 1/2 cup of milk, you get a boost of calcium and protein. Add some fruit, and bam!...a hearty, wholesome, nutrient-dense start to your day.

I'll continue to look out for more impressive oatmeal brands that I can confidently recommend.

Check out the recipes for Old Fashioned Quaker Oats:

• Banana Bread Oatmeal
• Awesome Oatmeal Cookies

Other Quaker 'Hot Cereals':

• Steel Cut
• Instant Quaker Oatmeal (8 flavours)
• Low Sugar Instant Oatmeal (2 flavours)
• High Fiber Instant Oatmeal (vegan)
• Weight Control Instant Oatmeal
• Organic Instant Oatmeal (vegan) (2 flavours)
• Real Medleys (3 flavours)
• Multigrain (vegan) 
• Hot Oat Bran (vegan)
• Grits (8 flavours)

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 'Valor' 70% Dark Chocolate (with Mint)

Valor -- 70% Dark Chocolate (with Mint) (vegan)
Overall Rating: 2/5
Summary: okay, way too minty for me. I'm just not a big fan of chocolate + mint...unless *maybe* it's in ice cream form...and even then, it wouldn't be my preference. I guess this is for the mint fans...I certainly can't recommend it.

Where to buy: Bulk Barn



Ingredients: cocoa mass, sugar, cocoa powder, cocoa butter, soya lecithin, natural mint flavour.

Nutrition Facts
Serving size: 4 squares (33g)
Calories: 170
Fat: 12g
     Saturated: 7g
     Trans: 0g
Cholesterol: 0mg
Sodium: 15mg
Carbohydrate: 14g
     Fibres: 5g
     Sugars: 10g
Protein: 4g
Calcium: 2%
Iron: 35%

This has one of the lower sugar counts of the Valor chocolates I've reviewed...but perhaps it could have used some more to balance that strong minty flavour!

Other 'Premium Bars' varieties:

• Milk Chocolate
• Milk Chocolate with Wafers
• Dark Chocolate 70%
• Dark Chocolate 70% with Forest Berries (reviewed here)
• Dark Chocolate 70% with Toffee
• 70% Dark Chocolate with Orange (reviewed here) 

Brand:

• Cocoa from Ecuador, Ghana and Panama
• Since 1881
• Not organic, so likely uses GMOs
• Uses artificial ingredients

Review of 'Wholesome Goodness' Sour Pineapple Raisins

Wholesome Goodness' Sour Pineapple Raisins (vegan, gluten-free)
Overall Rating: 4/5
Summary: the raisins are juicy and not shriveled...very fresh! The only downside is the slightly weak pineapple flavour. I have to pay close attention to notice the pineapple.

Where to buy: Walmart Supercenter, US store locator

Ingredients: Raisins, Natural Pineapple Flavour, Citric Acid (Acidulant).

Nutrition Facts
Serving size: 1oz
Calories: 90
Total Fat: 0g
Sodium: 3mg
Total Carbs.: 21g
     Dietary Fiber: 1g
     Sugars: 17g
Protein: 1g
Calcium: 1%
Iron: 4%

These are great ingredients...all natural! What a yummy snack...this is a great one to pack for children.

Other 'Dried Fruit and Nuts' products:

• Yogurt Covered Dried Tart Cherries (gluten-free)
• Sour Lemon Raisins  (vegan, gluten-free) (reviewed here)
• Chocolate Covered Cherries (vegan, gluten-free)
• Premium Nut Mix (vegan, gluten-free)
• Roasted Almonds (vegan, gluten-free)
• Roasted Whole Cashews (vegan, gluten-free)
• Raw Almonds (vegan, gluten-free)
• Marathon Snack Mix (vegan, gluten-free)
• Yukon Snack Mix (gluten-free)
• Safari Snack Mix (vegan, gluten-free)
• Tuxedo Snack Mix (gluten-free)
• Mountain Trail Mix (vegan, gluten-free) (reviewed here)

Brand:

• Kosher certified
• Claims to be nutritionally-mindful, though I have found the following ingredients in their products: modified palm kernel oil (a source of trans fats; read more about it here); corn syrup (unspecified GMO status), soybean products (unspecified GMO status)

Review of 'Valor' 70% Dark Chocolate (with Orange)

Valor -- 70% Dark Chocolate (with Orange) (vegan)
Overall Rating: 3.5/5
Summary: I don't normally enjoy orange-flavoured anything...but this is executed beautifully. The dried bits of orange, apple, and pineapple are sweet and lightly tart--just refreshing. The chocolate itself is nicely sweetened and well-complemented by the orange flavour. Too bad the brand is not organic, uses artificial ingredients, and likely includes genetically modified ingredients.

Where to buy: Bulk Barn



Ingredients: cocoa mass, sugar, cocoa powder, cocoa butter, orange pulp apple, pineapple fibre, soya lecithin, sodium alginate, monosodium phosphate, citric acid, natural orange flavour.

Nutrition Facts
Serving size: 4 squares
Calories: 160
Fat: 10g
     Saturated: 6g
     Trans: 0g
Cholesterol: 0mg
Sodium: 20mg
Carb: 16g
     Fibres: 4g
     Sugars: 12g
Protein: 3g
Calcium: 2%
Iron: 30%

The calories are pretty decent for 4 squares, since each square it pretty sizable. The sugar isn't too bad and nor is the fiber and protein...okay so the nutritional profile is pretty decent. Just beware the ingredients.

Other 'Premium Bars' varieties:

• Milk Chocolate
• Milk Chocolate with Wafers
• Dark Chocolate 70%
• Dark Chocolate 70% with Mint
• Dark Chocolate 70% with Forest Berries (reviewed here)
• Dark Chocolate 70% with Toffee

Brand:

• Cocoa from Ecuador, Ghana and Panama
• Since 1881
• Not organic, so likely uses GMOs
• Uses artificial ingredients

Review of Post 'Shredded Wheat' Original

Shredded Wheat -- Original (vegan)
Overall Rating: 3.5/5
Summary: fresh, whearty, heart, light, perfectly textured. Ahhh this is great. And you can add any flavours you like. I choose to drizzle syrup and add fruit--strawberry works very well! I love the texture after it has been in milk for a minute or two. It swells a bit and puffs up slightly.

Where to buy: most major grocery stores (e.g. Fortinos, Sobeys)


Ingredients: whole grain wheat. BHT in packaging (linked to cancer in animals).

Nutrition Facts*
Serving size: 2 biscuits
Calories: 160
     Calories from Fat: 10g
Total Fat: 1g
     Saturated Fat: 0g
     Trans Fat: 0g
     Polyunsaturated: .5g
     Monounsaturated: 0g
Cholesterol: 0mg
Sodium: 0mg
Potassium: 180mg
Total Carbohydrate: 37g
     Dietary Fiber: 6g
          Soluble Fiber: <1g
          Insoluble Fiber: 5g
     Sugars: 0g
     Other Carbohydrate: 31g
Protein: 5g
Calcium: 2%
Iron: 6%

See, now this would have been one of my top cereals if only it excluded the BHT. I love that there's nothing added. I could have made an entirely new cereal flavour every morning! How unfortunate...and the nutritional profile is really fantastic as well. It's low in fat, calories, sugar and sodium, yet great for fiber and protein!

Full nutritional profile available here. And check out these recipes from the website:

• Honey and Nut Muffins
• Cherry Crumble
• Grab 'n Go Peanut Butter Bars
• Savoury Meatloaf
• Shredded Wheat Apple Cherry Crisp
• Tangy Lemon Squares

Other Shredded Wheat varieties:

• Spoon Size Honey Nut
• Spoon Size Wheat'n Bran (vegan)

Brand:

• Still uses BHT in packaging, still uses trans fats, and likely user of GMOs
• All Post products are kosher, with the exception of Marshmallow Pebbles, Fruity Pebbles Treats and Cocoa Pebbles Treats.