Hemp seed salads; Baby food that teaches chewing; Poppable protein bites

Hemp seed salads
Ready Pac recently launched two salads featuring hemp seeds, the first of their kind in the United States. Rapidly rising in popularity, hemp seeds are packed with plant-based protein, as well as omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids.

“Hemp seeds are miniature nutritional powerhouses that will meet the needs of various consumers, since they are a high-protein, low-carb, gluten-free source of nutrition and taste,” according to the company. Hemp seeds are also a source of magnesium, iron, zinc, and potassium, as well as fiber.

The salads are available in two varieties. The Hemp Caesar Salad Kit combines hemp seeds with chopped Romaine, shredded carrots, shredded red cabbage, Caesar herb vinaigrette, and croutons, and the Jamaican-Style Jerk Hemp Seed Salad pairs the seeds with Romaine, red cabbage, carrots, black beans, white meat chicken, red rice, and a zesty Jamaican jerk hemp seed dressing. Beginning this summer, they will be found nationally at select grocers for a suggested retail price of $3.99.

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Baby food that teaches chewing
Nestlé’s Gerber brand introduced its new Gerber 3rd Foods Lil’ Bits line, a series of products that contain well sized soft pieces intended to help babies learn to chew food. Gerber worked with 80 experts who spent more than 120,000 hours developing the product; their research showed that older babies can mash softer foods with their jawlines, helping them discover multiple textures before they move to solid food.

“We use a unique cooking process for all of our Lil’ Bits recipes to ensure perfectly sized, soft pieces and have worked extensively with developmental experts to design a developmentally appropriate product,” says Sarah Smith-Simpson, senior scientist of child development and consumer insights for Nestlé Nutrition Meals and Drinks.

Lil’ Bits are available in seven fruit flavors and three vegetable varieties, including Apple Blueberry, Island Fruit Blend, and Sweet Potato Apple Carrot & Cinnamon. Packaged in plastic tubs, the foods can be found at major retailers for a suggested price of $1.59.

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Poppable protein bites
Balance Bar released its new line of Balance bites, crunchy, miniature snacks that provide 13 grams of protein per serving. Packaged in single-serve bags, the bites contain 190 calories and follow Balance Bar’s 40-30-30 nutrition principle, where 40% of calories come from carbohydrates, 30% from protein, and 30% from dietary fat.

“With 66% of consumers snacking to satisfy a craving, and 44% snacking on the go, it’s important to create products that deliver on flavor, nutrition, and convenience,” says Bradley Charron, senior vice-president and general manager for Balance Bar.

The gluten-free and non-GM bites come in chocolate and peanut butter flavors and can be found in retailers for a suggested price of $1.79.

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