I believe in eating foods as close to their natural form ignoring food trends. Food trends can go through interesting stages as people figure out what they should eat and what they should not. Remember that low-fat fad!
The good news is things are changing. We are seeing more whole food knowledge being spread around than ever before. We are finding more and more convenience food options that are made using foods we would recognize, cooked with traditional fats (not trans fats). These packaged foods don’t have endless shelf life either.
That being said, I have not kept up with the changes in the packaged food industry. When it comes to eating, I am at heart a scratch cook. So when my clients ask me for clean eating options that come in a package or when I need something portable for the moments where I don’t have access to a kitchen, I am often at a loss.
This past weekend at Paleo f(x) 17, I was on a mission to scout for packaged convenience foods with limited ingredients, ingredients I can read and pronounce without feeling like a chemist and ingredients I would willingly stock in my pantry. And it goes without saying it had to pleasing to the palate too!
The high point of Paleo f(x) was there was no dearth to choose from. For a clean-whole -real food foodie like me, this was a carnival…I could snack all day and for once I did not have a pack a food bag as I stepped out of my home!
Sharing my top ten packaged food options… not necessarily in any order. They are on the list definitely for the taste, in addition convenience, nourishment and an occasional indulgence. They all contain “real food” not food like substances, are free from added sugar or artificial sweeteners, all of them are paleo (gluten + grain free and dairy free) and some of them are vegan too. These all contain healthy traditional fats (fats from nuts, seeds, avocados, olive oils, fish oil, and grass fed meat).
- It is no coincidence that grand ma’s chicken soup is considered panacea. We are all familiar with the extensive benefits of the nutrient rich bone broth. Making your own bone broth from scratch is easy and inexpensive, but if you don’t have the time or would rather not fuss with simmering bones for hours to make broth, FOND BROTH is a great choice. It is delicious, prepared with traditional methods and infused with unique combinations of herbs and vegetables. Inside Job and Liquid light are my two favorite flavors.
- If you are like me and bored of finding only sweet juices in a bottle- DRINKABLE VEGGIES will change your experience. Flavorful vegetables blended with organic bone broth is not only nourishing, it also makes drinking veggies delicious (minus the sugar that sneak in the usual store bought veggie juices). Drinkable veggies are an easy way to get your daily servings of veggies on the go. All the five flavors are mouthwatering but if I had to choose (may I choose two?) Glow and Revive would be my favorites.
- Are you a clean eater on the go who orders a salad with a “clean protein” on the side and then thinks of all the hormones and antibiotics in the meat you are eating? WILD PLANET FOODS sea food in a can will end your struggles. I have not eaten something in a can for the longest time, but I would eat this. They have some chicken options too. And if you care for the planet, know the seafood comes from a sustainable source . The next time eating on the go, order salad, BYO Wild Planet Fish or Chicken , add it to the salad and you can create a satiating and nutrient rich meal. Now only if I could bring along my own Extra Virgin Olive Oil!
- Non- dairy milks are slowly taking over the fresh milk shelves–but sadly they come with lots of additives, stabilizers, binders and often carrageenan too. MALK is different- I read the ingredients and tasted the milk and this nut milk is made with only the ingredients I would use at home- some nuts, water and little bit of Himalayan salt or sometimes vanilla. Try their cashew milk whether to drink it on the go or to add to your smoothies- it is heavenly.
- Craving a chocolate mousse? And what if I told you there is a “clean” option? You would think I am nuts or it is not tasty. THIS PIE IS NUTS ‘ chocolate mousse will convince you sometimes indulgences can be healthy ! As I tasted their pies for the umpteenth time, she suggested I could take off the crust and put it in a smoothie too! (Meaning it is nutritious enough for healthful smoothie) my thought… I must be nuts to do that… everyone can make a smoothie but to make a pie with clean ingredients is a skill.
- If I described these Muffins as gluten-free, sugar-free, preservative-free etc.… It would be unfair, I would miss telling you what these muffins are full of Muffin Revolution 24 CARROT GOLD muffins are full of plant based protein, omega 3s, lots of flavor, and nothing but real ingredients. They are more than just an occasional treat- these muffins are perfect for lunch box snacks, breakfast on the go or I feel like a muffin moment!
- Finding chocolate with limited ingredients that is loaded with contentment in each bite is every clean eaters dream come true. My search for a “clean” Chocolate has ended after tasting CORACAO’s Almond Butter Bar. Every bite is pure indulgence, gently sweetened with coconut sugar and cacao minus the soy lecithin!
- Need the crunch of tortilla chips? Answer can be found in a bag of Grain free SIETE CHIPS ! They taste like regular tortilla chips minus the excessive salt. You would not guess these chips don’t contain any corn, instead are made with Cassava Flour, Almond flour, Avocado oil, coconut flour, chia seeds and sea salt. These would work well with salsa or by itself too. All the three flavors are worth trying- but don’t miss the Nacho flavor.
- As I mentioned in the beginning, I am a scratch cook and am always finding ways to make “that something I ate” in my kitchen- but there is one thing I will never attempt- is making chips. And why should I when there is this three ingredient ARTISAN TROPIC Cassava Chips that makes a delicious chip snack. Cassava is a fibrous root vegetable with a flavor reminiscent of the potato is crisped in non-hydrogenated Palm Oil to make a crunchy satiating chip.
- In your clean eating journey do you miss the crackers? I found the solution– JILZ GLUTEN FREE CRACKERZ .The problem I have with many “clean” crackers is the alternative flours and gums used just don’t taste right. Jilz Crackerz are different, the simple seed cracker which is completely grain free doesn’t have that powering after-taste. These crackers are crispy and a great accompaniment to Guacamole! My favorite flavor is the Tuscan- it is a cracker with a little kick.
I have kept my descriptions brief… if you have any questions about these products where can you buy them etc.… reach out nourishyourlife(at)live(dot)com and I should be able to answer or connect you with someone who can !
Educate me- what are your favorite clean packaged foods?
Were you at Paleo f(x), would love to hear about your finds! Watch this space for special mentions– that are definitely worth a try!
Disclaimer: I was given nothing to review these beyond the samples at their table available to everyone at Paleo f(x)
