Gnu Foods Flavor & Fiber Bars

Struggling to eat your 25-30 grams of fiber a day? Gnu Foods has a delicious new bar that boasts 12 grams of fiber and tastes incredible! The bar are low in fat, 100% fruit juice sweetened, and contain only 130 calories. They are free of high fructose corn syrup, refined sugars, cholesterol, trans fat, hydrogenated oils, preservatives, artificial flavors, and artificial colorings.

Currently there are three flavors: Banana Walnut, Cinnamon Raisin, and Orange Cranberry. Each bar is incredibly moist and has the appeal of a chewy oatmeal cookie with a unique twist on flavor. They make the perfect choice for a breakfast on the run or a midday snack.

Try them now: Gnu Bars

Featured Health Food: Pineapple

The refreshingly sweet and juicy quality of the pineapple is reason enough to consume this tropical fruit--especially in the summer months, but the nutritional profile of this fruit will have you singing its praises as well.

Pineapples contain high amounts of vitamin C and good amounts of thiamin and manganese. Vitamin C, of course, is a powerful antioxidant that can help protect the body from free-radical damage, and many studies show that this vitamin may reduce the risk of certain cancers as well as coronary artery disease. Vitamin C may even prevent or delay the onset of cataracts. Vitamin C is a natural antihistamine that can help reduce the severity of congestion caused by allergies

Pineapple's most intriguing asset, however, is a natural enzyme called bromelain. Bromelain is helpful in reducing muscle and tissue inflammation, as well as acting as a digestive aid and relieving constipation. Eating pineapple, then, may be helpful for those suffering from muscle-related injuries, individuals with arthritis, and those with digestive troubles.

The best way to enjoy pineapple is, of course, fresh. If you are on the run frequently or just looking for different ways to try this delicious fruit, the suggestions below may prove inspiring.

Dried Pineapple: This is a great way to enjoy pineapple when you are on the go, but be extremely choosy with this product as many brands add sugar. My favorite is Just Pineapple by the Just Tomatoes company. These cruncy, freeze-dried pineapples are naturally super sweet (no added sugar or sweeteners of any kind) to the point of tasting like candy. They're a kid favorite as well, because kids think they are candy...you don't have to tell them they're healthy and provide nice amounts of vitamin C and iron.

Pineapple Juice: Pineapple juice can be an interesting deviation from your morning orange juice, you just need to be extremely careful to choose an all-natural, 100% juice variety with no added sugar.

Pineapple Snack Bars: All natural snack bars with pineapple in them can be a true treat. Again, be very selective as bars can be carriers of trans fats, tons of sugar, and a host of unnatural preservatives and other chemicals. I love Boomi Bars in Macadamia Paradise and Pistachio Pineapple.

You can also mix pineapple into yogurt or cottage cheese or sprinkle on top of ice cream. It can be baked into breads and muffins and even sliced into rings and placed on the grill!

Hint Flavored Water

This has to be the most aptly-named product on the market--it's simply premium drinking water with just a hint of flavor. Hint water is the beverage for which I have been clamoring--it has absolutely no sugar, no artificial sweeteners, and no calories. The flavors are exciting and fresh tasting and include lime, cucumber, pomegranate-tangerine, apple, and pear. Each flavor is positively refreshing, and makes it easy for me to down my 8 glasses of water a day. It also keeps me from drinking other beverages containing calories.

Hint waters are also great for kids. It provides just enough flavor to be kid pleasing, yet it doesn't have the calories and sugars of juices and sodas.

Try it now: Hint