Prepared Foods takes a look at new better-for-you foods, drinks and supplements introduced in January 2019.

Kellogg Company, Battle Creek, Mich., introduced HI! Happy Inside, a new cereal supporting digestive wellness with prebiotics, probiotics, and fiber.
Varieties include Simply Strawberry, Bold Blueberry, and Coconut Crunch. Officials note that HI! Happy Inside was developed at the company’s WK Kellogg Institute for Food & Nutrition Research, a global community of food researchers, designers, and makers.

“HI! Happy Inside is a delicious cereal with three powerful ingredients to support digestive wellness,” says Aleta Chase, marketing director for HI! Happy Inside. “This new cereal provides a proactive real food solution to people who want to incorporate more prebiotics and probiotics into their diet.”

The cereals each deliver 1 billion CFU of live probiotics from active strains; 2.5g of prebiotic soluble, fermented fibers; and 8g to 9g of dietary fiber (by variety) per serving. Other ingredients include wholesome fruit, yogurty pieces and 100% whole grains—all of which are Non-GMO Project verified, says Kellogg.

The cereals are available in 34.5oz resealable bags at Costco and Boxed for a SRP of $12.99 and six-count 2oz cups sold as a pack on Amazon with SRP at $13.99. Individual cups carry a SRP of $1.99 and will be available nationwide in food, drug, mass and ecommerce in early 2019.

Today’s consumers are eating on-the-go, yet still crave comforting and indulgent breakfast foods. In a continued effort to make people’s cravings work for them—and not against them—Quest Nutrition, El Segundo, Calif., introduced a Maple Waffle Protein Bar and Cold Brew Coffee Latte Protein Powder. 

“We’ve taken two of the most popular breakfast flavors and turned them into convenient options that meet our consumers’ health goals. Maple is increasingly trending across food and beverage categories, and cold brew has grown 460% in recent years,” says Suzanne Ginestro, chief marketing officer at Quest Nutrition. “We’re on a quest to create better versions of craveable foods and beverages, and now people can enjoy these flavors throughout the day, without compromising on nutritional value.”

With Maple Waffle, Quest disrupts the bar category again with waffle-like pieces and a new customized maple caramel swirl inside that is reminiscent of traditional maple syrup. Consumers can feed their waffle cravings and get 20g of protein, 16g of fiber, only 5g net carbs and only 1g of sugar.

Quest’s new Cold Brew Coffee Latte Protein Powder is made with real cold brew extract and a serving delivers with 24g of protein, only 3g of net carbs and less than 1g of sugar. This powder is great for shakes and baking, the company says.

These new bar and protein powder flavor extensions are the latest of Quest Nutrition’s high protein, low net carb line. Other new offerings include Quest Protein Cookies, Quest Tortilla Style Protein Chips and recently announced, Quest Thin Crust Pizza. The new Maple Waffle Protein Bar and Cold Brew Coffee Latte Protein Powder are available at select retailers and at www.questnutrition.com.

LIFEAID Beverage Co., Santa Cruz, Calif., introduced ImmunityAid, which it describes as a “powerful blend of key vitamins and nutrients … intended to help boost your immune system and keep you fortified and defended year-round.”

“The mission of the LIFEAID Beverage is to provide consumers with delicious and functional ingredients that benefit a health-focused lifestyle,” says brand co-founder Dr. Aaron Hinde. “There are so many incredible supplements and nutrients you can integrate into your diet to give a boost to your system this season — we made it simpler and faster to enjoy the best of them in a ready-to-go product you can drink.”

Hinde says ImmunityAid available comes in an Orange Boost flavor that is “subtle, sweet and tangy,” and “refreshing straight-up or over ice.” A fluid 12oz can of ImmunityAid contains Echinacea; zinc; vitamins A, C and D; Astragalus and Valerian Root; turmeric and ginger root.

ImmunityAid is available for convenient shipment directly by ordering on the LIFEAID website. It was available at retailers nationwide starting in November. LIFEAID says it offers a range of drinkable supplement blends including: FitAid, FocusAid, LifeAid, GolferAid and PartyAid.

LIFEAID Beverage Co. was founded in 2011 by Orion Melehan and Aaron Hinde.

Coffee Snacks Inc., Housatonic, Mass., has expanded product distribution for JavaUp energy bars to 7-Eleven Stores in Philadelphia as well as in New Jersey and New York.

Officials say the bars contain 100% organic, shade-grown espresso and come in two flavors:  Café Mocha and Caramel Macchiato. Chocolate-dipped and coffee-fueled, each 1.4oz bar provides consumers the equivalent caffeine of half a cup of coffee in a no-spill format. 

Café Mocha contains 6grams of protein and 5g of fiber, while Caramel Macchiato has 5g of protein and 4g of fiber. Both contain 8g of whole grains. Suggested retail price is $1.99. The bars are 160 calories and certified kosher.

“JavaUp provides an anytime, convenient, on-the-go way to get your coffee ‘fix’ in a delicious nutritious bar,” says Lisa Newmann, founder and CEO of JavaUp.  “It’s exciting to watch our business expand in the Northeast region and we’re confident 7-Eleven customers will jump at the chance to JavaUp!”

Newmann says JavaUp beans are sourced from sustainable farms that value fair wages and labor practices, use no pesticides, and rely on natural fertilization from migrating birds. The beans are grown in the shade, creating sustainable habitats for pollination. 

Nutiva Inc., Richmond, Calif., expanded its USDA Certified Organic MCT Powder line, NuMCT, with three new flavors: Vanilla, Chocolate and Matcha. Officials say the flavored supplements are a better way to attain clean, sustained energy, derived from medium chain triglycerides (MCTs), in a convenient powder format.

Like Nutiva’s cornerstone unflavored Organic MCT Powder, the new flavors are crafted from 100% young organic coconuts and gut-supportive prebiotic acacia to deliver a powerful dose of MCTs with every scoop, says Nutiva. Found naturally in coconuts, MCTs provide the body with easily digestible fatty acids that quickly convert to ketones to rapidly supply the brain, muscles, and other tissues with continuous energy.

The new supplements also are Non-GMO Project Verified, certified vegan, certified ketogenic, naturally gluten-free, and free of sugar, dairy, corn, soy, palm oil and hexane. Containing 3g of fiber from prebiotic acacia fiber and 6g of MCTs, including 56% caprylic acid (C8), 39% capric acid (C10) and 5% percent lauric acid (C12) in a single serving, Nutiva Organic MCT Powders are designed to boost gut health and supply pure, clean fuel.

“Given the positive reception our cornerstone unflavored Organic MCT Powder received from the get-go, we’re excited to debut three new flavors of our innovative supplement to cater to even more usage occasions and taste preferences,” says Steven Naccarato, Nutiva CEO.  

New flavored Nutiva Organic MCT Powders are available in 10.6oz. canisters online at www.nutiva.com with retail availability to follow. 

Labrada Nutrition, Houston, added a new Mint Chocolate flavor to its line of ready-to-drink (RTD) line of Lean Body protein shakes. 

The Lean Body RTD Protein shake contains 0g sugar, 5g of fiber, and packs in 40g of protein. It is also gluten-free. Other varieties include Vanilla, Chocolate, Salted Caramel, Cookies and Cream, Strawberry, Banana, & Café Mocha.

“I am so excited about the launch of the Mint Chocolate Lean Body RTD. It is the perfect blend of rich chocolate with a hint of mint—an amazing flavor that will keep your taste buds wanting more,” says Lee Labrada, CEO and founder of Labrada Nutrition. “Lean Body RTDs are super convenient for anyone who wants to get lean and stay fit, but doesn’t have the time to cook or eat a meal. Plus, it’s perfect if you’re looking for a nutritious energy boost in the mid-morning or afternoon.

“It has been over 18 months since our last new flavor introduction into our Lean Body RTD line,” he adds. “We took our time to make sure that we developed just the right, unique flavor and were able to really nail the balance of what I call ‘Chocolate Minty-ness!’”

Lean Body Ready-to-Drink Protein Shakes come in 17oz. resealable Tetra Pak cartons. Lean Body shakes are available nationwide from select US retailers and gyms. They also are available online at www.leanbody.com

Originally appeared in the January, 2019 issue of Prepared Foods as Form + Function.