Beanfields: Bean & Rice Chips

I'm always on the look-out for healthier, preferably gluten-free snacks to try.

And I've tried a lot of them, in the past few months.
Some good, some ho-hum and some just plain bad!

 

On a recent trip to our local food co-op, I noted: Beanfields Bean & Rice Chips and decided to give them a try. I'm glad I did!

 

Of all the rice, veggie, gluten-free... chip snacks I've tried, these are the closest in taste/texture to actual potato chips.

So if you've been dismayed by the bad rap that most potato chips are getting these days and have been looking for a healthier alternative that still tastes like your old favs, give Beanfields Bean & Rice Chips a try. They really do taste like "the real deal".

 

I started with a bag of the Pico De Gallo and they were soooo good!

A nice spicy kick to them but not overly hot.

I've also tried the Salt n Pepper flavor. A bit milder taste for these but also good and not overly "peppery".

 

With both flavors I tried, it was that "potato-chip like" taste and texture that kept me reaching for more. And with a salsa dip, yummm...even better.

And not an overly crispy/hard texture like some of the healthier chip choices available; these were just right!
 

 

Here are some additional "good things" about these chips:

 

-29% less fat and twice the protein and fiber of most tortilla-type chips

 

-Non GMO project verified

 

-No gluten OR corn

 

-No peanuts or seeds

 

-Vegan

 

-4 grams of complete protein in a 28 gram serving

 

-Only 140 calories in a 28 gram serving

 

-No saturated or trans-fats

 

***

 

The only term that I didn't see on their ingredient list that I would have appreciated was CERTIFIED ORGANIC. Hopefully that's something that will be a consideration for future production.

 

And if you're thinking these might have an overly "beany" flavor that's unappealing, think again. I don't think I would have even known there were beans in these chips, if I had tasted them out of a sampler bowl instead of out of the bag. :<)

 

And speaking of beans, do you know just how good they are for you? You can read more about the many health benefits of beans here. I'm already a bean-lover so I didn't need to be convinced. LOL

 

 

 

Available in these flavors:

  

 

You can read more about the Beanfields company: their story, values and all products at their attractive and informative website.

 

 

Overall rating for this product: Very Good. 4 out of 5.

 

 

 



Neal Brothers Organic Cheese Twists

 

My name is Geraldine and I am a cheesie addict! ;<)


 In spite of ongoing efforts to remove as much junk food as possible from my diet, especially in recent years; sometimes...well sometimes I've still gotta have a bag of cheesie-type snacks to satisfy that particular food craving.

Can you relate?

 

I've tried a few healthier versions of cheesies over the years and most of them fell well short of the mark, in comparison to mainstream cheesie brands like Cheetos and Hawkins.

Usually these "cheesie-wannabes"  had blah, ho- hum  flavours and weird textures (and that is definitely a big part of cheesie appeal) that brought pipe cleaners or packing pellets to mind!

 

 Happily, that has changed, now that I've discovered:

 Neal Brothers Organic Cheese Twists.

 

These snacks rock!

 

The Neal Brothers (based in Ontario) did their homework when it came to creating a cheesie-type snack that was not only a healthier choice but with all the flavour and just right texture, that cheesie-addicts like me have come to expect.

 

Neil Brothers Organic Cheese Twists are definitely cheesy and with a crisp, crunchy texture that is  satisfying to the palette. No pipe cleaner reminders here!
 

 

And with an ingredient list that is healthier and less guilt-provoking than those mainstream brands.

  

INGREDIENTS:

ORGANIC CORNMEAL, ORGANIC SUNFLOWER OIL, ORGANIC RICE MEAL, ORGANIC CHEDDAR CHEESE, [(CULTURED PASTEURIZED ORGANIC MILK, SALT, MICROBIAL ENZYMES), ORGANIC WHEY POWDER, LACTIC ACID, DISODIUM PHOSPHATE, ANNETTO, NATURAL FLAVOR (STARTER DISTILLATE), ENZYMES], ORGANIC WHEY POWDER, SALT.

 

 

A 113 gram bag provides 2 generous servings (they are light in weight) and one serving contains only 240 calories. Gluten-free too.

***


And by way of comparison,  here's the scoop on Cheetos brand:

I know which one I'd rather be eating.

And without any sacrifice when it comes to crunchy snacking satisfaction!


I've also tried Neal Brothers White Cheddar Popcorn, and again this is another winner:
 

 

 

 

As I've mentioned above, this company is based in Ontario but I was able to buy their products at our local food co-op, here in BC, so hopefully their distribution is continuing to expand. No mention on their site of US distribution, but hopefully that will follow too.

This really is a snack company that has a lot to offer. They also carry other products including: pretzels, salsas, dressings, tortillas...stop by their attractive website to check out all their products and to read more about the brothers behind the brand!


Overall rating for this product: Very Good. 4 out of 5.