The Honestly Good Smoothie Company was founded by mother and son duo Vikesh and Neeta Kotecha after Vikesh experienced digestive trouble in 2015 and was advised to consume more fruit and vegetables. Falling in love with the energy smoothies brought him, Vikesh soon tired of chopping and preparing ingredients each morning. Mother Neeta stepped in with daily creations for her son and Vikesh realised how accustomed to the luxury he became, and left his job to start The Honestly Good Smoothie Company so others could experience this too.

Upon placing an order online, customers are treated to a wool-lined temperature controlled box to keep smoothie pouches fresh. The packaging is recyclable or compostable which is in line with Sundried's sustainable and responsible ethos. The company work with award-winning nutritionist Caroline Farrell and head chef Blake Bowden. Founder, Vikesh Kotecha, says “I wanted to do something simple that wasn’t being offered. Honestly good smoothies delivered to your door, no cheap fillers, and no nasty surprises.” Vikesh continues, “We have really exciting plans for the future with a new protein smoothie range launching for the New Year, tasting events across London and charitable donations from each customer purchase.”

The Honestly Good Smoothie subscription is £27.50 per week for 5 pouches making 10 smoothies. 

Berry Nice

Ingredients

• 100g banana
• 70g strawberry
• 50g raspberry
• 40g rhubarb
• 1tbsp hemp seeds
• 1tbsp chia seeds

I really liked this flavour, I had mine with almond milk rather than just dry. It was nutty and full of berries which tasted fresh and tangy. It was very substantial and could definitely replace a meal, although I wouldn't always recommend that. It's not too sweet which I liked and the main positive is the convenience of it.

The hassle and ensuing mess of making a smoothie can be a nightmare, especially if you're short on time or have kids, plus I've made quite a few horrible ones when just experimenting with ingredients from my cupboard! The fact that this recipe is not only well thought out but created and verified by both a professional chef and nutritionist means I can trust the ingredients and health benefits. Overall, I loved it and would definitely have it again. 

The Waldorf Cool

Ingredients

• 100g Granny Smith Apple
• 100g Cucumber
• 60g Curly Kale
• 20g Light Walnut Halves
• 2tbsp. flax seeds
• 1tbsp hemp seeds
• ½ tsp Kelp
• a pinch of pink Himalayan salt

The ingredients in this smoothie are pretty interesting (the kelp and Himalayan pink salt are pretty exotic to me) but they all looked super fresh on arrival which was impressive. I also made this one with almond milk but found that the consistency was a little too thick for my preference, I wonder if apple juice might have been better but then it would have potentially been too sweet. Again, the nuts gave a great flavour and texture and the apple and cucumber meant it was super fresh and zingy. 

Verdict

I think the concept of this brand is great, and people who have a lot of disposable income and not much time on their hands would benefit greatly. However, those with kids or just those who don't work 60-hour weeks and don't have the money to spend over £100 a month on smoothies might not need ready-prepared ingredients delivered to them, especially as you still have to blend it yourself and therefore wash up afterwards too.

For some people, the process of making a smoothie is the best part, however others would argue that having the ingredients already weighed out and ready to blitz is a life-saver. With this service, I think it really depends on your lifestyle and personal preferences but I can see why it would be great in the right circumstances. I also think it would be important for customers to receive the nutritional information of the smoothies along with their packages (calories, sugar, protein etc) as this is not currently provided.

getbuzzing was founded by Kate Wallace in 2009 when she realised there was no product on the market which was made with natural ingredients, tasted amazing, and was completely nut-free. With a mission to create a snack that everyone - including nut allergy sufferers - could enjoy, she created getbuzzing. We got the chance to try a few of these exciting bars and taste for ourselves to see if the taste really is 100%!

Banana

The USP of getbuzzing is that they only use natural ingredients. The Banana Nut Free Flapjack contains oats, dried banana, golden syrup, sugar, butter, honey, and apricots.  Flapjack is a very energy-dense food and so would be perfect after a very long and tough training session where you've burnt upwards of 1,000 calories and need to replenish with simple sugars. This bar tastes absolutely delicious! The organic dried banana comes through really well and the texture is sticky and dense, just how a good flapjack should be. It's definitely impressive that it's made with ingredients you could find in your own kitchen, as more often than not I'll check the ingredients on a snack bar and can't even pronounce half the ingredients used.

Wowbutter

The other USP of getbuzzing is that they're products are all nut-free, meaning they are accessible for those on a free-from diet and those suffering a nut allergy. getbuzzing state that their Wowbutter flavour "tastes just like peanut butter!" which is a revelation for those who can't eat nuts and are missing out on the joys of peanut butter! Their nut-free 'Wowbutter' is made using toasted soya and soy oil which is fantastic. This bar only has 13g of sugar in it which really impressive for such a deliciously decadent bar. It's thick and gooey and very satisfying!

Date & Seed

I really loved the texture of the seeds in this bar and the dates give a luxuriously sticky texture. It's not overly sweet like other bars of this type and the dense texture is really moreish. It's a hefty bar and makes a really satisfying snack. Definitely my go-to when I'm feeling peckish between meals!

Protein Crisp & Cherry

I absolutely love the sour cherry flavour in this bar. The cherry pieces are really authentic (thanks to the all-natural ingredients) and it's a really refreshing and unique flavour that I haven't tasted in this type of bar before. The protein crisps add a great texture and the stickiness of the other bars is still present here. With 15g of protein per bar, it's perfect for post-workout, especially a particularly tough session. It's a really great grab-and-go snack and you know you're getting a great protein boost too.

Mixed Berries

Before I even took my first bite, the tartness from the freeze dried berries made my mouth tingle and water! This bar is very buttery and indulgent, and with nearly 25g of sugar per bar it's definitely a sweet treat. The berries provide a gorgeous flavour and the tangy edge makes it really exciting. The oats make the bar very dense and it's super satisfying and filling. This would be perfect as fuel for an ultra run or a long hike. One of these bad boys would give you enough energy to last all day! 

Mint Chocolate High Protein

This flavour was my absolute favourite! The mint flavour is perfect - I am a big fan of mint-flavoured-anything, but I am aware that a lot of people tend to avoid it lest it taste of toothpaste. This getbuzzing bar, however, managed to stick with the mint choc chip ice cream type of flavour which was refreshing and delicious. The chocolate chips add an interesting texture and the overall taste is very indulgent with its sticky composition. This bar only has 16g of sugar (compared to 20g in the banana flavour) and it packs an impressive 13g of protein. I often get annoyed when health foods claim to be 'high protein' and then only contain a measly 5g or so. 13g of protein is a decent amount for a bar like this so I was really impressed. What's more impressive is that this bar has recently won a Q Award! It won the Grab & Go Sweet Category at the Food Service Q Awards.

Verdict

It's incredibly refreshing to find a snack brand that is completely nut-free and getbuzzing really have found a niche in the market. Flapjack is always going to be a winner as it's so delicious, so having flavoured versions in a ready-to-go bar is perfect for fuelling a tough training session, re-fuelling post-race, or just to take to work or school. I love that the ingredients are truly natural without compromising on taste and I think getbuzzing are on to a real winner!

Nibble Protein Bites promise to be different from all the other protein balls, bites, and bars on the market by having less sugar and more protein than the competition. Founded by Erin Moroney, Nibble Group Ltd has the mission of standing out from the crowd and being different. We were excited to try these inviting bites!

Made with low GI ingredients, Nibble Protein Bites avoid the usual sugary suspects of dates and brown rice syrup which are a common ingredient in 'healthy' protein snack foods. Using dried plum puree as a base, Erin has found a way to keep the sugar content of her protein bites low while maintaining a delicious flavour and texture. Using pea protein to enhance the protein content means they are vegan-friendly and also allergen-free making them more accessible for more people. 

Lemon

Thanks to the plum puree base, the flavours of Nibble Bites really pop. Lemon is a strong flavour at best and overly tart at worst, but Nibble Bites have got the balance perfect. The character is beautifully authentic thanks to the Sicilian lemon juice and oil, it almost transports you to a balcony in Italy! The sprinkle of coconut flakes on top really grounds the flavour and adds a lovely texture. 

Mocha

The all-natural ingredients provide a really genuine flavour and the mocha bite is no different. The mocha nibbles are made with real coffee and Dutch cocoa powder to add a touch of class and sophistication. Again, this has the potential to be an overpowering flavour, but the balance is perfect and the rich, deep flavour just floats through effortlessly without being overbearing. Cacao nibs and a dash of cinnamon are also added to the nibble to give it an extra flavour boost and element of luxury. These bites are definitely more sophisticated than your standard protein ball or bar!

Sour Cherry

The super tart sour cherry nibbles have a hint of orange and a pinch of allspice to give them a unique taste. I'm a huge fan of sour cherry flavour anyway so this was always going to be a hit with me! Another sophisticated, strong flavour, these bites stay true to their ethos with the low sugar content and the gluten-free oats mean they can be enjoyed by those on a free-from diet. 

Choc Chip Cookie

Choc chip cookie was the flavour I was looking forward to the most; it certainly looks like a cute little chocolate chip cookie bite! The little bites are very tempting and inviting and the flavour doesn't let them down. This flavour is made with 72% dark chocolate and also has toasted pumpkin and sunflower seeds added to it for an exciting texture and added crunch. The low GI ingredients mean it's not overly sweet or sickly and the lack of dates and syrup means it's not horribly gooey or sticky. Just a perfect snack for on-the-go or after training.

Verdict

I absolutely love the ethos behind this brand as too many protein food companies lack finesse and decent flavour. Eating a sticky ball chocked full of dates and rice syrup is hardly healthy and the protein content is usually modest at best. Nibble Protein Bites have hit the nail on the head with this gap in the market and I'm sure it'll be a huge hit! The choice of sophisticated flavours really stands out from the crowd and they've hit a real niche with their honest mission. It's a winner for me!

You can buy your own Nibble Protein Bites from their website at £18 for an 8-pack (RRP £2.39 each, here £2.25).

Nibble Protein Bites are also available to buy on Ocado. 

VITL is a vitamin supplement company who send bespoke packages to its customers based on their personal needs. Launched in 2015 by Jonathan Relph, VITL provides customers with boxes of supplements delivered through their letter box on a subscription service.

VITL has generic plans on offer as well as tailored plans available through their app. The generic plans provide a 28-day supply of daily vitamins. The Essential 2 package is one of the generic packages on offer and includes a multi vitamin which supports your immune system and improves your general health, an Omega 3 tablet to keep a healthy heart and brain functions, and a calcium tablet to support a healthy nervous system and help with muscle functions.This package also has a super greens tablet which includes 15 antioxidant-rich phytonutrients from superfoods such as kale to help fight free radicals in the body.

For the tailored package, you answer a series of questions about your life and general health, and a representative from VITL will then build you a package of vitamins and supplements which are bespoke to you and your needs.

The Essentials 2 is only £17.95 (the images are of this pack) and the Essentials 4 is £35.95. There is a Vitamin D pouch which costs £7.50 and is only available as a one-off purchase. You can buy on the Vitl website. 

Written by Matt Sladden

Kettle Foods was founded in 1978 in the USA and are now an international manufacturer of several savoury snack brands, n 2006 becoming the largest natural potato chip brand in the US. In this modern world of eating clean and healthy foods, Kettle Foods have brought themselves into the 21st century by producing lighter, healthier snack food options. Their latest development, Kettle Bites, are lentil and whole grain crisps and I was lucky enough to get to try them.

Sweet Chilli Lentil Curls

Kettle Bites only have 94 calories per pack meaning that if you're looking for a light, under 100 calorie snack, you need look no further. They also boast containing 50% less fat than standard ready salted crisps meaning they are a healthy snack which doesn't compromise on taste. 

Being made from lentils, the shape and texture of these crisps are really quite unique. They are very light but the seasoning is plentiful meaning the taste is fantastic. The sweet chilli flavoured variation is delicious, and you can really taste the lime flavour shining through. The nutrition values are as follows: 

Typical Values	Per 100g
Energy (kilojoules)	1807 kJ
Energy (kilocalories)	428 kcal
Fat	11.9 g
- of which saturates	1.6 g
Carbohydrate	65.0 g
- of which sugars	5.0 g
Fibre	4.0 g
Protein	13.2 g
Salt	2.1 g

 

Maple Barbecue Wholegrain Waves

The Maple Barbeque wholegrain waves stay true to their description in bringing together the sweet tang of maple syrup and the deep, rich flavour or tomato and paprika. As with the lentil curls, these are not like classic crisps and the wave shape holds the flavouring wonderfully and provides a fantastic crunch. The flavour is fairly moreish and they are absolutely delicious!

Verdict

I'm so pleased that a brand as huge and well-established as Kettle Foods are bringing healthy snacks to the mass market. Finding healthy alternatives to well-loved foods is a great secret to changing to a healthier lifestyle and brands like this make it more accessible to the wider public. The lentil curls are really unique and the flavour is unlike any I've tasted before. The maple barbeque waves are also pretty unusual and they taste fantastic. I really hope that snacks like this become more widely appreciated as more people make healthy food choices on a day-to-day basis. It's a 10 from me!