Don’t tell us we didn’t warn you – following our functional food product round up last month we’ve been trying (believe it or not) even more functional food products. Yep, there are more!
Unsure which products are for you? We’ve tried and tailored some of the newest functional foods to your particular needs.
For the eco-conscious coffee fiend: Norlo
Perhaps a slight oxymoron, but the early-rising fitness fanatics among us still consider coffee to be a non-negotiable as part of our daily routine. Never fear your health is compromised with sustainably-minded and speciality coffee brand, Norlo, which provides the UK’s lightest roast. This means the least amount of oils on the surface of the beans, preserving their natural antioxidants, nutrients and minerals (such as magnesium and potassium). It’s a far healthier (and tastier) morning pick-me-up than that tart taste of a Costa. Plus, you can feel better about your purchase. Norlo has partnered with the non-profit organisation One Tree Planted. For every coffee tube sold, a tree is planted! Yay! Available as compostable Nespresso pods and ground bags (also refillable).
Price: Tubes from £9.99
For the one with a sulky stomach: SO PERF
We’re bombarded with information on gut health these days, so how can we differentiate mere marketing ploys from genuine information about our digestive health? The key is to strip back your diet by using high-quality, organic ingredients in their most raw form, which is the founding principle behind SO PERF’s brand promise. With SO PERF’s cold-pressed prebiotic juices and probiotic bars, all ingredients are farm-fresh from suppliers adhering to the highest ethical codes. Not only that, but they do a really great job of explaining gut ecology and the importance of a healthy microbiome (link here). Free from all the nasties; palm oil, GMOs, soy, and added sugars – we have to say, it’s really satisfying to look at the back of the bottle only to find one ingredient on the list. The orange juice was a particular star of the show, and all flavours worked really well combined with other ingredients to make a morning smoothie.
Price: Packs from £12.00
For the ethical everyday athlete: Bioglan Superblend Protein
With so many protein supplements out there now (many of which have a huge list of unrecognisable, artificial ingredients) it can be overwhelming deciding which best meets your needs. It’s even more difficult to navigate plant-based, high-protein alternatives. Bioglan offer a simple range of supplements from beauty blends to their digestive booster, offering these with full transparency and traceability back to where ingredients are from. We tried the Superblend Protein; a superfood frenzy with ingredients such as Maca, Ashwagandha and Ginseng, making this vegan-friendly protein supplement high in Vitamin B6 (contributing to hormonal activity) and a source of Vitamin C (which enhances your metabolism and reduces fatigue), so you can hit your macro and micro-nutritional needs all in one hit. Beyond this, it’s neutral in flavour and therefore really easy to incorporate into your diet – explore some of their great sweet and savoury recipes here. Protein-packed Bang Bang Cauliflower you say?! We can’t wait to try it.
Price: £12.99
For the cardio bunny or candy craver: Free From Fellows
They say it’s a good idea to eat a few jelly babies for every hour you’ve ran to replenish some of the lost carbohydrates, but this shouldn’t mean you miss out if you lead a plant-based diet. Free From Fellows wine gums really hit the spot for a mid or post-run energy kick, whilst being completely free of sugar, gluten and most importantly, gelatine, so you needn’t miss out on yet another macro-nutrient dense food! Whatsmore, we all agreed that we actually prefer their taste to regular sweets on the market. The wine gums are a marvellous little pick me up after a cardio-heavy studio class!
Price: £1.99
For the big brains: Vite Naturals Mental Performance bars
Snacks that not only taste good as chocolate, but that boost your brainpower. Using nootropics (natural ingredients which enhance our cognitive performance) and omegas (fatty acids, which make up 60% of the brain’s structure and are therefore vital for strengthening the brain during the ageing process), Vite Naturals Performance bars are made up of 7 of your brains essential nutrients and beneficial fats. Fully gluten-free, plant-based and sustainably sourced. Notable short term benefits of Nootropics include; raised energy levels, processing speed, motivation & the ability to perform under pressure, whilst long term benefits include improvement in memory retention & word recall, and the prevention of age-related cognitive decline. Feel sharper, think faster and focus for longer with the highest quality nootropic product in the UK, available in packs of Dark Choc & Nut and Ginger Apple.
Price: Boxes from £25.00 (12 pack)
For the one on the run; The Protein Ball Co
Protein is essential for the growth and repair of our bodies which encounter internal and external stress daily. That news you have a last-minute deadline to present to a client? Your body sees this as the same form of stress as it would a weighty workout, so you should be consuming a considerable amount of protein regardless of whether you’re a gym-goer. Free from GMO’s and GF, The Protein Ball Co’s vitamin charged protein snacks are a clean (and tasty) grab-and-go alternative to the sugar-potent cereal bars we levitate towards in times where we need a quick fix, also helping you on your way to an adequate protein intake. Perfect for lunchboxes or in the pocket of your gym bag, they’re available in several tempting flavours from Lemon & Pistachio to Blueberry & Oat Muffin. Most importantly, you don’t feel like you’re eating a mass-produced chemically-laden snack full of lab-produced ingredients!
Price: £1.99
For the T-Total cocktail connoisseur: Three Spirit alcohol-free elixirs
You needn’t miss out with one of these botanical elixirs, available in three flavours which are perfect for before, during and after the party. Created by a mix of plant scientists, world-class bartenders, hedonists and herbalists alike, Three Spirit have created plant-based alternatives to alcohol that celebrate what you put into a drink, rather than what you take out – create concoctions such as ‘Soft P*rn* Martini’ or a ‘Zen Penicillin’. For the hardcore alchemist, serve either three flavours on the rocks with the recommended garnish. As you can tell these plant potions have the power to really stimulate the palate, mind and body. Products are made exclusively in the U.K from vegan-friendly ingredients and packaged with zero-plastic recyclable materials.
Price: £24.99 (50cl)
For the dedicated dessert-ee; Nush Foods almond milk yoghurt
We couldn’t finish our review without a dessert, right? Nush Foods was born out of the desire to do dairy-free differently- because soya is soo last century. Every pot of Nush has a high percentage of almonds (unlike many shop-bought almond milks which use as little as 1% almonds), and did you know that because they require far less water to grow, European almonds are kinder to the planet than the Californian variety? The luxurious soft texture of these yoghurts make them perfect as an ingredient to bake any dairy-free creations beyond your wildest dreams – think Raw Carrot Cake Squares and Salted Caramel Fro-yo Bars. Feast with your eyes on their Instagram page full of recipe inspiration!
Want to read more about some of the best functional foods on the market? Find our latest round-up here.
