Best New Gluten-Free Product Finds from Expo West 2014

Best New Gluten- And Allergen-Free Foods from Natural Products Expo West 2014

Grab your pen and paper folks, because this is going to be a looooooooong post with tons of great new products you won’t want to miss! How often is it that there seem to be TOO many great gluten-free options available? Well, that was the case at this year’s spectacular Natural Products Expo West, and I for one, and happy to report back to you on the bounty of choices you will soon have in a store near you! If you’d prefer to hear me tell you about these new products instead of reading all about them, hop over and listen to the free podcast of my Gluten-Free Voice Radio Show!

Note: Many of these products are SO NEW they aren’t even on the companies’ websites! Hang tight! They’ll be out soon!

Also Note: These products are in no particular order, so don’t read into anything – I just didn’t want to take the time to go back and alphabetize them!

Check out my “Top 3” picks as one of New Hope Media’s WE.Blog Editorial Board, and peruse the many categories I cover below. Revel in the choices!!!

 

Bars –

To be honest, I’m kindof “over” the bar category. There are darned many bars out there now! Luckily, many are gluten-free, but seriously? How are new bars really differentiating themselves? For the bars I’ve chosen below, I hope you’ll agree that they really have set themselves apart!

KUTOA – “Buy a Bar, Feed a Child”
This is a bar with a mission. Kutoa is Swahili for “to give,” and that’s exactly what Joey Grassia, the young entrepreneur-founder of Kutoa has set out to do with his company. Throughout the US, Grassia’s company gives its portable nutrition bars and fresh, healthy sandwiches to in-need youth; around the world, it gives micronutrient and macronutrient packs to help prevent and cure malnutrition. By working with partners like World Food Program, their foods go directly to those in need and direction to making a difference.

Speaking with Joey and his team at their booth at Expo, I was struck by their evident passion for selling bars as a means to help children around the world. We hardly discussed the bars themselves, but they are worth more than a mention. Full-sized bars and kids’ squares both offer a great source of non-GMO, vegan and gluten-free protein from raw nuts, gluten-free oats, seeds and fruit with no added sugars. Their Peanut Butter & Jelly squares will definitely be a hit with my kids, and I’m excited to start adding them to their lunchboxes!

Vega™ Snack and Vega One Meal Bars –

These new plant-based, whole food bars come in Snack (180 calories, 13 grams protein) and Meal (270 calories, 3 grams of protein) varieties, designed to satisfy your hunger with protein, super-foods, and Omega-3s. All Vega™ products are vegan and gluten-free, which makes things so much easier as a shopper! All their bars and protein shakes are great, but I really love the new flavors in these two new lines – flavors like Cranberry Almond and Coconut Cashew really stand out as winners.

The Gluten-Free Bar™ –

This bar company started by two brothers who can’t tolerate gluten or bad-tasting snacks, sets itself apart by offering vegan, non-GMO, soy-free gluten-free bars that all boast loads of protein from brown rice and peas. I particularly enjoyed the non-chocolate varieties like Oatmeal Raisin, Coconut Cashew Crunch, and Cranberry Toasted Almond, but if you’re hungry for more traditional bar flavors like chocolate or peanut butter, they have those too. The team also launched “Gluten-Free Bites” in the same flavors, for snack-size munching. Certified GF and Vegan.

KIND™ Strong & KIND Almond Protein Bars

A new generation of protein bar has hit the market. KIND’s new line of Strong & KIND bars have broken the mold of traditional chocolate and honeyed bars, not just dipping a toe into savory waters, but diving in head-first with flavors like Honey Smoked BBQ and Roasted Jalapeno. Using whey-free pea protein, each whole almond bar offers 10 grams of protein, 9 essential amino acids and potassium. Each bar is also gluten-free, vegan, non-GMO, and is low sugar and low sodium. The company partnered with Kevin Durant (of Oklahoma City Thunder NBA fame) for their Strong & KIND anti-bullying campaign – something we can all support. (5 flavors)

Rise™ Bars –

Rise offers Breakfast, Energy+ and Protein+ (15-20 grams per bar!) bars in unique flavors with simple, natural ingredients like pumpkin seeds, honey, dates, apricots, amaranth, berries, and pea or whey protein. Some bars are vegan, all are peanut and soy-free. New flavors include refreshing combinations, Lemon Cashew and Sunflower Cinnamon.

Quest Bar – Cookies & Cream –

If you’re looking for a true, high protein bar, it’s hard to get better than Quest. Their new gluten-free Cookies & Cream bar has 21 grams of protein, 17 grams of fiber, no added sugar and only 180 calories.

 

Funky Nut Butters –

You might think nut butters are boring, but not these!

Kolat Superfood Fusions –

The truly funky blends created by nutritionist and founder, Jess Goldstein, contain no added sugar, but lots of flavor from the real fruits packed inside. Her original blend (if this tells you how funky they are) is Blueberry Cinnamon Walnut butter; other blends include Cherry Vanilla Almond, Dark Chocolate Coconut and Espresso Hazelnut. They are also full of antioxidants, minerals, healthy fats, phytonutrients and 50% of the recommended daily value of vitamins per serving! If you’re tired of the same old PB&J, I highly recommend you let Kolat Nut Butters wake up your tastebuds!

Nuttzo™ Seven Nut & Seed Butter –

Called a “super butter,” Nuttzo’s line is 3 flavors, each in crunchy and smooth, containing 7 different nuts and seeds in every one. Original, Powerfuel (peanut-free) and Chocolate varieties are each certified gluten-free, non-GMO and kosher, and none have added oils or sugars. The nutrition labels on these nut butters are impressive, and the ingredients are as natural and simple as you would hope. Some profits are given to charity through their non-profit, Project Left Behind, created to support the education of orphans in Nepal.

WOWButter® —

Billed as a “peanut butter replacement” that is safe for schools, I have to say that non-GMO soy-based WowButter does taste an awful lot like peanut butter. This peanut-free butter offers 7 grams of protein per serving, 4 grams of fiber, Omega-3s and is gluten-, dairy-, and tree nut-free.

Snacks –

Yes, yes, I know that fruits and veggies, most popcorn and corn chips are all gluten-free, but sometimes you crave a different kind of snack. Enter: delicious new and ingenious GF snacks!

Happy Monkey Hummus –

One of the brands I was most excited to check out at Expo West was Happy Monkey Hummus. Their outrageous flavors, organic garbanzo beans, fresh lemons, roasted garlic and fresh natural veggies make their hummuses really stand out. I couldn’t decide which was my favorite, I mean, it’s so hard to choose between Margarita, Mole hummus and Wasabi hummus!

Snackle Mouth® Supersnack™ Clusters –

You can’t miss the crazy name and outrageous packaging with this new gluten-free snack food. Akin to a granola with large, these easy-to-munch-right-from-the-bag clumps of nuts and gluten-free oats have no refined sugar and no trans-fats. Five flavor combinations ranging from Salty Chocolate Clusters to Bacon Maple. Certified gluten-free.

Clean, Lean & Sexy® Mini Slim Pretzels –

What sets these GF pretzels apart is that they are corn-free, soy-free, nut-free and dairy-free, but taste totally delicious. Seriously. Totally. The product line also includes Air-Popped Vegan Popcorn with 22 grams of whole grains per serving and no trans fats.

Harvest Stone™ (Crunchmaster®) Crispy Mix –

How many times have you wished there was a gluten-free “party mix” already mixed up in a bag you could take to parties or munch on at home? Not that it’s so hard to make these mixes yourself from scratch, but it’s nice to know you don’t have to anymore. Crunchmaster launched a new product line called “Harvest Stone” and they’ve combined gluten-free pretzels with their already well-loved crackers, corn chips, popped chips and more in various flavor combos. Three mixes launched at Expo West: Original, Bold and Cheese.

Wildbrine® Salsas –

Catching the fermented craze, the launch of salsas complements their existing line of sauerkrauts, kimchis and pickles, all of which taste like nothing else. Bursting with flavor – some hot, some simply offering a whole tongue tasting experience – these salsas are a welcome change in this market. Naturally probiotic, non-GMO, gluten-free and vegan, one of their four exotic flavors is bound to intrigue you. Use as a dip, marinade or accompaniment in any of your favorite dishes.

Tru Flavors® Shelf Stable Single Serve Hummus Cups –

The novelty of shelf-stable hummus will guarantee a place on the shelf for this yummy new hummus line. Think of the possibilities: lunch boxes, airplane meals, cafeterias, picnics … this product could revolutionize the already booming hummus market! Gluten-free and kosher.

Luke’s Organic™ Multi-Grain & Seed Chips –

Who needs another chip? Well, when they are this tasty AND have 3-5 grams of protein, 3 grams of fiber and 18 grams or more of whole gluten-free grains per serving, maybe I will have another! Certified vegan, non-GMO, organic and gluten-free, these chips are also nut- and soy-free.

Nuts Around the World –

Locally grown nuts combined into pressed balls full of exotic organic ingredients from around the world. Thai Basil, Chipotle Molasses, Cranberry Orange, Mayan Cocoa … lots of great combinations. Some contain egg white.

 

Meals –

Absolutely™ Gluten Free Vegetable Crust Pizza

Absolutely Gluten Free is one of my favorite companies for their delicious Saltine-like gluten-free crackers, but they have really broken new ground with their cauliflower-crust personal pizzas. Made from cauliflower, potato starch and eggs, these crusts are light and only have 45 calories per pizza. One variety is topped with mozzarella cheese, the other with dairy-free mozzarella-style shreds.

Cook Simple™ Sloppy Joe –

Cook Simple™ was an instant favorite in my house when we tried their “Cowboy Chili” a couple years ago. Their launch of “Sloppy Joe with Pinto Beans and Carrots” at Expo West is sure to be a winner, as well. The company is founded on the principle that healthy boxed dinners are indeed possible, allowing busy people to make nutritious home-cooked meals that are diverse, flavorful, and versatile. Add your protein of choice (the boxed mixes are vegan and certified gluten-free as well as non-GMO). Their current line-up includes 10 dinner boxes ranging from Tibetan Dal to New Orleans Jamblaya, all of which offer healthy amounts of protein, fiber and low calories.

Amy’s –

Amy’s has released a slew of vegan and gluten-free meals that will make GF fast frozen food exciting again. I had a full plate of dishes to sample at their booth, and I was impressed with the range of offerings. I still don’t love their rice crust pizzas, but who needs them, when there are other choices like Thai Red or Green Curry, Chinese Noodles & Veggies, Quinoa & Black Beans, Sonoma Veggie Burgers and Organic Tofu Breakfast Sandwiches? Check out their extensive GF lineup, many of which are also vegan (note: Amy’s uses NO eggs in any of their products).

Explore Asian Gluten-Free Noodles –

These gluten-free noodles are a high protein, lower carb option that actually taste good! Their bean pastas have been on the market for a few years, but their new products include rice-based pastas as well. I tried their new Jasmine Multi-Color Rice Pasta (Fettuccine Shape) in my homemade Pad Thai recipe, and they were so colorful and tasty – I really nice switcheroo.

Pastariso™ Gluten-Free Smiles Cereal Bowls –

Part of the Maplegrove Gluten-Free Foods lineup, these new Organic cereal bowls are positively ingenious. Sure they’re pretty tasty, cute little smiley faces made without gluten, soy, eggs or nuts (so nearly any kid, young or old could enjoy them), but what’s even better is that the serving comes™ sealed in their own bowl with dairy-free milk powder. Just add water for a bowl of cereal and milk! What could be easier when traveling (TSA won’t steal your breakfast!) or for a handy snack to keep in the car? I was so impressed with this product – I really hope to see it at stores soon (because I need some!).

Love Grown Foods’® Power O’s Cereal –

Having mastered the art of gluten-free granola, the team behind Love Grown Foods ventured into more traditional “O”-shaped kid-friendly cereals this year at Expo West. What’s exciting about that? Well, these Os are gluten-free, non-GMO and are made from fiber and protein-rich beans! Don’t worry, you can’t taste the beans in this cereal though! Original (pretty plain), Honey, Strawberry and Chocolate – you’re bound to find one your kiddos will like, and you can feel good about breakfast again!

Qrunch™ Veggie Burgers & Toasters –

These veggie burgers are among my favorites. They are quinoa and millet-based, totally vegan, certified gluten-free, soy-free, corn-free, nut-free, low sodium … and I love that they don’t pretend to be a meat substitute. One of my favorite features is that they don’t fall apart when you toast them in a toaster (and you can even grab them and go for a fast lunch)! Their new “Saucy Buffalo Wings” veggie burger flavor is truly tasty, and their new line of “Toasters” is totally unique. Infused with yummy breakfast flavors like maple, these will provide another great and healthy option for a quick morning meal.

 

Bread –

Glutino® reformulated sandwich breads –

Glutino went back to the kitchen and didn’t come out until they had made their breads softer, fluffier and full-sized. Their White Sandwich Bread and MultiGrain Sandwich Bread are much improved and are truly worth a try when you don’t have time to make fresh, homemade GF bread. Try their new English Muffins, as well!

 

Drinks –

CaCoCo – Drinking Chocolate

This drinking chocolate will put your powdered cocoa mix to shame. I’m sorry to say, you may never go back. Not only does this chocolate have one of the most wonderful aromas I could imagine, its smooth, mellow flavor could put a smile on anyone’s face. Made from raw organic superfoods and fresh spices, no cane sugar or milk, I felt like I was doing a wine tasting at their booth. An education on the “flavor melodies” they offer include notes of light caramel, vanilla and bitter-sweet spice. Another really unique application they suggest beyond simply using the raw shavings to melt into creamy drinking cocoa, is to sprinkle on top of desserts for a decadent and fancy presentation. They had me at “dairy-free” and “vegan,” but there is so much more to this product that I know you will love!

Jade Monk® Matcha Green Tea Powder —

With eye-catching packaging harkening back to Japanese folklore, these finely ground Japanese tea powder packets turn an ordinary glass of hot or cold water into an antioxidant-rich (137 times the antioxidants of non-Matcha green tea), pleasantly piquant beverage. Matcha has been enjoyed for centuries in Japan as a coveted drink made from the whole green tea leaf, harvested by hand and aged to deepen its flavor. Matcha has been dubbed a “natural energy drink,” providing sustained energy from its slow release of natural caffeine; Jade Monk kicks it up a notch by adding spices, stevia extract and unique flavor combinations like Cranberry Blood Orange and Palau Peach to make a unique and exciting portable tea option. (4 flavors)

SO Delicious® Cococcino —

So Delicious blew the doors off Expo West this year, releasing several exciting new products like Gluten-Free Cookie Dough Soy Milk and Coconut Milk Frozen Desserts, Coconut Milk Mini Dessert Bars, Unsweetened Yogurts, Cashew Milks, … and this little gem, Coconut Milk Iced Coffee. Cleverly named “Cococcino,” this product will hit the shelves late this month in Latte and Mocha convenient coffee-to-go flavors. They are USDA-certified organic, made with Fair Trade coffee, contain no artificial sweeteners or carrageenan and, like all their products, they are Non-GMO Project Verified, plant-based and certified vegan. Oh, and they are truly so delicious. I ran back to their food truck on my way to catch my plane on Sunday to grab one more for the road! I don’t know how I’ll ever wait until the end of March to get my hands on more. (2 flavors)

Bhakti Chai/Coffee Blend & Unsweetened Chai –

Bhakti has great products. I’ve loved their ready-to-drink soy spicy chai teas since I first discovered them a couple of Expo Wests ago. This year, they introduced a chai/coffee combo that is totally delicious, and they answered to customer calls for an unsweetened version of their original, as well. Oh, and they introduced Almond Milk Chais – woot woot! Find them in the refrigerator section of your organic grocer, or ask that they carry them for you!

CalNaturale’s Svelte® Banana Crème –

I’ve loved Svelte’s protein shakes for years (I even use them in my baking), so I was excited to taste their newest flavor, Banana Crème, made with organic banana puree. Each shake only has 180 calories, but delivers 5 grams of fiber, 11 grams of protein and only 6 grams of sugar. These soy-based shakes are also USDA Certified Organic, gluten-free, and dairy-free. I’m now thinking of recipes where I could use this delicious new flavor. Hmmm… banana cakes? Banana bread? So many choices!

 

Sweet Treats –

Pamela’s® Figgies & Jammies Fig Cookies

Not exactly the Fig Newton of your past, but pretty darned close. Pamela’s new Figgies & Jammies individual cookies come in Blueberry & Fig, Mission Fig, Raspberry & Fig, and Strawberry & Fig. Gluten-free, egg-free and made with no corn syrup, hydrogenated oils or artificial flavors, they would make a yummy lunch box treat for any kid with a craving for Newtons.

Coyo Coconut Milk Yogurt Alternative –

I’m putting this little treasure under “Sweet Treats” because I could eat this for dessert any day of the week! Coyo Yogurt is just hitting the US all the way from Australia, where its products are already well loved. You might think you’ve already tasted coconut milk yogurt, so what’s the big deal? You would be wrong! This yogurt is so smooth and creamy and much richer with coconut flavor than others. It is 98% pure coconut, squeezed made from the white flesh of the coconut into an amazing cream. No added sugars, gluten-free and vegan. It’s coming to the US soon, so look for it!

Hail Merry® Macaroons –

While the macaroons aren’t new this year, the Lemon and Cookie Dough flavors are. Certified gluten-free, non-GMO verified, vegan, clean label, yummy product … ‘nuf said.

Mr. Dewie’s Cashew Milk and Almond Milk Frozen Desserts –

These truly tasty new nut milk “ice creams” are worth a taste. They are so creamy and full of flavor – it’s really a nice option for those of us who can’t do dairy or gluten. Organic, low in saturated fat, packed with nutrients (5-7 grams of protein per serving!), and made with natural ingredients you would recognize and use in your own recipes, you know, things like strawberries, vanilla and salt. Good stuff.

 

Other –

I didn’t have time to spend getting to know lots of great hair and skin care companies this time around, but I did happen upon a great find for lip care!

EcoLips® – Lip Balms

A perfect example of a cause-based company, EcoLips organic, gluten-free and GMO-free lip balms are eco-friendly from the inside-out. Their fair-trade use of ingredients like natural Mongongo oil supports women harvesters in Zambia, Africa and even the packaging on the new products I sampled are biodegradable and compostable. The company also initiated the largest solar power project ever in Iowa in 2004, to offset their plant’s and neighborhoods’ energy use. Some of the balms are tinted with natural minerals if you’re looking for some color to add to your shine.

Color Garden® Natural Food Colors –

These 100% plant-based food colors are made from beet juice, purple carrot juice, turmeric, red cabbage juice, Annatto – ingredients you recognize and understand. They do not stain hands or clothing, but do create bright, vibrant colors in your frostings and sanding sugars without the worry of artificial food dyes. They come in blue, orange, red and yellow, or a mixed box, and come in ready to use, single-use packets.

Massel Concentrated Stock –

Straight from Australia, these bouillon cubes and concentrated stocks are all vegan (even the beef and chicken varieties!) and gluten-free, and are really, really delicious! The family-owned company starts with premium vegetables, herbs, sea salt and extra virgin olive oil, and adds no preservatives or MSG. The concentrated stock is so darned handy – it makes gravies, soups, even mashed potatoes so much tastier and quicker. Their distribution will grow, but they are brand new to the US market, so if you’d like to see them in your stores, ask for them!