Summer is full of sweet temptations and sugary drinks, so finding better-for-you options is key to staying healthy. Misinformation and “healthwashing” — misleading marketing that gives the false impression that certain foods are healthy — are more prevalent than ever.
Athletech News has rounded up five healthy food and drink brands that will make it easier than ever to cut down on sugar, improve your gut health, and get more protein into your daily routine.
Supergut is a gut-focused brand that offers a variety of products, including bars, shakes, and prebiotic mixes. Fight off summertime sweet tooth temptations with fiber-packed products like Supergut’s Gut Healthy Prebiotic Bar and Gut Healthy GLP-1 Booster. The Gut Healthy Prebiotic Bar is one of the most delicious protein bars I’ve ever had. The strawberry almond flavor tastes like strawberry shortcake, but with only 1-2 grams of sugar, 10 grams of fiber, and 10 grams of protein. They also come in peanut butter chocolate and chocolate brownie flavors, both of which are equally delicious and coated in a thin erythritol-based coating that tastes and looks like icing.
Gut Healthy GLP-1 Booster is packed with 22% of your daily recommended fiber and 0 grams of sugar, yet tastes so sweet you’ll barely notice it. The added fiber helps you feel fuller, suppresses appetite and reduces mindless snacking. This Booster is easy to add to anything, including coffee, smoothies, oatmeal, baked goods, sauces and more. Summer can be stressful, but Supergut can help you stay healthy and active.
Skratch Labs Hydration Everyday Mix comes in a naturally sweet flavor, perfect for hydrating on hot summer days. The company was founded by scientist and cycling coach Dr. Allen Lim, who was frustrated with the artificial ingredients in prepackaged sports drinks. Skratch Labs is made with real fruit, with no added sugar, and comes in flavors like Lemon + Lime, Tangerine + Orange, and Salted Margarita.
The brand uses natural ingredients to achieve a slightly sweet yet delicious taste. Each serving is just 10 calories and 0 grams of sugar. Skratch Labs is perfect for athletes who need a boost of energy after sweating outside in the summer heat, but without any artificial sweeteners.
If you’re looking for a low-sugar sweet treat, SmartSweets might be just what you’re looking for. A single pack of SmartSweets candy has only about 130 calories and 92% less sugar than traditional candy. SmartSweets offers products reminiscent of old-fashioned candy, such as Sour Patch Candy, Peach Rings, Gummy Fish, Fruity Bears and Watermelon Sour Bites.
The candies are a little chewier than traditional candy, but still juicy and incredibly filling, with about 6 grams of fiber and only 3 grams of sugar per bag. My favorite SmartSweet candies are the Sour Melon Bites and Fruity Gummy Bears, and I almost forgot I was eating candy made with stevia instead of real sugar.
It’s no secret that lemons have many health benefits, including hydration, immunity, digestion, and skin support. Every bottle of Lemon Perfect contains half a lemon squeezed into it, zero grams of sugar, and comes in unique flavors like dragonfruit mango, peach raspberry, watermelon, coconut, and blueberry.
Lemon Perfect’s tart flavor is perfect for hot summer days or after a hard workout. I found myself reaching for this bottle many times after a hard workout. Each bottle contains 20% of your daily recommended intake of Vitamin C. If you prefer more sweet and tart flavors, try the blueberry and watermelon flavors. The brand’s colorful and sleek packaging is also perfect for summer occasions like the beach, bike ride, or tennis court.
Catalina Crunch is a low-carb, ketogenic, sugar-free, gluten-free cereal that has enticed cereal lovers. Though it’s marketed as a cereal, many treat Catalina Crunch as a healthy snack. With 11 grams of protein and 9 grams of fiber per serving, the brand is fighting the reputation that cereal is an unhealthy way to start your day. This cereal has the crunch of a snack, yet is hearty enough to leave you feeling fuller with less food than most competitors.
Catalina Crunch comes in familiar flavors like Dark Chocolate, Cinnamon Toast, Maple Waffle, and Honey Graham. Cereal ingredients include Catalina flour made from pea protein, potato fiber, chicory root fiber, tapioca flour, sunflower oil, and stevia extract. Catalina Crunch is a twist on traditional cereal that even little ones will love. If you’re looking for a new snack or breakfast routine, Catalina Crunch is the one for you.
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