Expo West 2014 Gluten Free Top Meals & Snacks

MY EXPO WEST EXPERIENCE QUICK RECAP

My 2014 Expo West experience was an over-the-top, amazing, magical, and exhausting experience – just like it was last year. However, this year, I adjusted my game plan and started taking interviews and planning a month in advance of the Expo in order to get the skinny on all the newest products before the event and schedule my time with my most-valued gluten-free partners. I was literally running at times between booths to get to the over 2,500 exhibitors (around 2,600 exhibitors with 67K attendees) and I still missed too many to name. There were so many new product launches that will blow the socks off of my gluten-free friends that it was a difficult to choose top products in each category.

To see a list of all the exhibitors visit this site http://www.expowest.com/ew14/public/exhibitors.aspx?ID=1050233

TOP PICKS IN GLUTEN-FREE SNACK-A-DOOS

BEANFIELDS VEGAN RANCH BEAN & RICE CHIPS

Love Beanfields – especially their Pico de Gallo flavor, and love that they’re corn-free and vegan! What’s new? They just launched a low-sugar Barbecue and a vegan Ranch. I love love love the Ranch and can’t wait until these hit the shelves!

Beanitos Vegan Corn-Free Gluten-Free Chips

Beanitos Vegan Corn-Free Gluten-Free Ranch Chips

WAY BETTER SNACKS: SRIRACHA and MUSTARD ONION

I was expecting these new chips to be an explosion of flavor – but these two new chips are actually more subdued than their other flavors. Their Sriracha flavor has a bit of a kick, but not as intense or sweet as their Sweet Chili flavor. Their mustard onion flavor is very subdued but ends with a very tangy taste of mustard. I went in assuming that my Sriracha chips would win my heart but I’m so excited about the onion mustard flavor!

I Love My Way Better Snacks

I Love My Way Better Snacks

My girlfriend from The Frux joined us at their launch party and also fell in love with the mustard onion flavor! Did I mentioned these bad boys are vegan too?

The Frux Loves Way Better Snacks Mustard & Onion!

The Frux Loves Way Better Snacks Mustard & Onion!

MARY’S GONE CRACKERS EVERYTHING PRETZELS

Another The Frux favorite as well – Mary’s Gone Crackers Everything Pretzels are awesome. Now, take this from someone who wrote off Mary’s Gone Crackers’ crackers and pretzels (yes, all of them) – I just didn’t like their flavors. However, this everything flavor tastes like a bagel – garlic onion pepper – I dig it. Also, Mary’s Gone Crackers just did a major revamp of their brand. I say major kudos on the new logo and packaging!

Mary's Gone Crackers Upgraded Branding & New Products

Mary’s Gone Crackers Upgraded Branding & New Products

PHONEY BALONEY’S COCONUT BACON

So how does one do vegan bacon? Phoney Baloney’s makes legitimate-bacon-tasting-coconut-flakes. Yes, you can now make vegan maple bacon donuts and cupcakes. They use a smoke flavoring that’s as natural as you can get to master the faux bacon taste. They also have several flavors (including candied bacon) – but I’m an all-natural girl. Believe me, this company is going to blow up. All vegans need this, especially those that crave the bacon taste without all the pig murder.

FAUX BACON Y'ALL

FAUX BACON Y’ALL

Yeah, I’m holding it like a baby. Like a precious fake-bacon baby.

How did they get the coconut to taste like bacon fat???

How did they get the coconut to taste like bacon fat???

TOP PICKS IN GLUTEN-FREE MAIN DISHES

UDI’S GLUTEN FREE KALE AND SPINACH LASAGNA

Sure, there are other dairy-full gluten-free lasagnas on the market, but they’re not from Udi’s, and they’re not as spectacular as Udi’s newest frozen entrée line. My trial was a valid reason to use some dairy enzymes and cheat on my no-cow-products-policy. The combo of spinach and kale, as well as multiple kinds of cheese make this a delicious addition to your freezer. Udi’s also has an entire new line of frozen entrees in addition to this one that will hit the market soon including macaroni with bacon!

Udi's New Gluten Free Products

Udi’s New Gluten Free Products

CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL VIDEO WITH UDI’S!

Sandra, Udi's, and Gluten-Free Lasagna - epic win!

Sandra, Udi’s, and Gluten-Free Lasagna – epic win!

ABSOLUTELY GLUTEN FREE VEGETABLE CRUST PIZZA

Let’s face it, I’m far too lazy to make cauliflower pizza crust for the insane amount of times I eat gluten-free pizza in one week. I was excited to see Absolutely Gluten-Free’s newest frozen entry into the pizza market place – a vegetable pizza crust. At first I was excited, but I couldn’t really nom as much as I wanted to, as it was coated with mozzarella. However, they also released a non-dairy mozzarella “style” toping one as well! These babies are brand-spankin’ new even the COO didn’t get to try it before I had one of their first samples! Each pizza is only 45 calories – although I could eat about 10 in one sitting. Three pizzas come in one box. I have no idea when they hit the mainstream, but I’m so incredibly excited for them to come out to the general market.

Absolutely Gluten Free Vegetable Crust Pizza

Absolutely Gluten Free Vegetable Crust Pizza

Absolutely Gluten Free Vegetable Crust Pizza

Absolutely Gluten Free Vegetable Crust Pizza

COMENSOLI VEGAN GLUTEN-FREE PIZZA

This pizza makes me want to move to Canada. Comensali Gluten Free Foods makes a ton of gluten-free product, but this vegan gluten-free pizza has to be the crown jewel. When will this be released to the US? Well maybe if we cross our fingers and toes and wish real hard, it will come soon – because if not, I have no idea how I can taste this again! This is certified by the GFCP – the GF certification program of Canada. I trust my Canadians, I trust this pizza, and I want it again…soon. Two hungry thumbs up for this pizza.

Comensali GF Vegan Pizza from Canada, eh!

Comensali GF Vegan Pizza from Canada, eh!

PACIFIC FOODS’ VEGETABLE QUINOA SOUP

I love it when Pacific Foods launches food that’s gluten-free because 1) it’s hearty and healthy 2) it comes in an easy-to-open tetrapack and 3) you can find it at most retailers. This vegetable quinoa soup hit the spot like a good hearty vegetable soup should – this one packed with protein with quinoa. Lots of new launches from Pacific Foods coming up – especially for our vegan friends. Look to them for consistent product roll-outs!

Pacific Foods' Vegetable Quinoa Soup

Pacific Foods’ Vegetable Quinoa Soup

 

ENTER TO WIN A GLUTEN-FREE EXPO WEST SWAG BAG PRIZE:

Enter to win 1 (one) of the EXPO WEST SWAG BAG PACKAGES – US RESIDENTS ONLY.

WINNERS WILL BE PICKED RANDOMLY:

3 Winners will be picked randomly (via Rafflecopter) based on valid entries.

HOW IT WORKS:

Each person can be entered into this contest 6 TIMES via Rafflecopter.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Comments: 41

  1. Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine March 15, 2014 at 4:17 am Reply

    I am excited about Mary’s Gone Crackers new products!

  2. Kate March 15, 2014 at 4:39 am Reply

    I can’t wait to try so many of them! The absolutely gluten-free vegetable pizza sounds interesting.

  3. Kaila @healthyhelperblog! March 15, 2014 at 5:24 am Reply

    The Marys Gone Crackers Everything pretzels sounds amazing!

  4. Venessa F. March 15, 2014 at 9:42 am Reply

    I think Phoney Baloney’s faux bacon looks the most exciting to me. Actually everything you reviewed sounds amazing!

  5. Cassie March 15, 2014 at 7:51 pm Reply

    OMG I WANT TO TRY THE VEGGIE PIZZA CRUST! It’s like a dream come true!

  6. Angela March 15, 2014 at 10:03 pm Reply

    Yum, yum, yum! How I wish I could have attended!

  7. Paige c March 16, 2014 at 9:01 am Reply

    I think the gluten free vegetable pizza crust looks great!

  8. Joan March 16, 2014 at 9:29 pm Reply

    Everything looks yummy. I want to try the Soup and eat rice chips!

  9. Laureen March 17, 2014 at 11:50 am Reply

    COMENSOLI VEGAN GLUTEN-FREE PIZZA makes me want to move to Canada too…

  10. Jessica March 17, 2014 at 9:25 pm Reply

    I think I’d like to try the coconut bacon!

  11. CJ March 18, 2014 at 4:47 pm Reply

    I missed the expo this year! But now I’m kicking myself — I should have gone just for the GF pizzas!

  12. Phylicia Phillips March 19, 2014 at 9:08 am Reply

    Phoney baloneys coconut bacon!

  13. Michelle March 19, 2014 at 9:27 am Reply

    Yum! Yum!

  14. J March 19, 2014 at 9:30 am Reply

    Yo, you’re the best. Keep doing what ya doing. I want to eat everything in this post. I almost ate my computer screen. Just kidding….yeah. kidding.

  15. Margaret Clegg March 19, 2014 at 10:54 am Reply

    As my husband is allergic to pork, I am VERY eager to try the Phoney Baloney product!

  16. Jennifer March 19, 2014 at 11:27 am Reply

    Wow! There were so many awesome new products at ExpoWest. I don’t even know where to begin. For sure, some of my favorites that I’m DYING to try are the Svelte Banana Creme protein shake and the The Piping Gourmet’s Whoopie Pies. I wanted so badly to go to the expo! Maybe next year.

  17. AmandaonMaui March 19, 2014 at 11:36 am Reply

    I’d be happy to give anything new a try!

  18. julie March 19, 2014 at 6:09 pm Reply

    udis kale and spinach lasagna!

  19. Jessica Minton March 19, 2014 at 9:01 pm Reply

    You need to tell these people they need to do one in Atlanta!! My husband and child both have celiacs and some people just don’t get it!

  20. Lori Williams March 19, 2014 at 10:10 pm Reply

    Absolutely Gluten Free Pizza Crust!

  21. Debra Lee March 19, 2014 at 10:17 pm Reply

    The vegetable crust pizza sounds delicious!

  22. Karol March 19, 2014 at 11:29 pm Reply

    The Absolutely GF vegetable crust pizza sounds really interesting. I’d like to try that.

  23. Susan Martin March 20, 2014 at 12:24 am Reply

    lasagna!

  24. Karen Brady March 20, 2014 at 1:36 am Reply

    Veggie Crust Pizza!! HELLO!!!

  25. Kari March 20, 2014 at 4:35 am Reply

    Definitely need to get more info about that coconut bacon!

  26. Amanda K March 20, 2014 at 4:43 am Reply

    I am really excited about the gluten free/vegan products – especially the bacon flavored coconut! Everything looks delicious though! 🙂

  27. Amber March 20, 2014 at 5:14 am Reply

    I can’t wait to try the new Udi’s products!

  28. Debra J. Gowlland March 20, 2014 at 6:07 am Reply

    Looks like alot of amazing stuff-would absolutely LOVE to try some of these! Thanks for the chance….if I had to pick one that sounds the most interesting it would the the coconut bacon!!! 🙂

  29. Patricia March 20, 2014 at 6:09 am Reply

    I would love to try the Beanitos.

  30. Heather March 20, 2014 at 6:15 am Reply

    *crossingfingers* I might win. It would certainly help us financially. 🙂

  31. Heather March 20, 2014 at 6:16 am Reply

    They all look soo good. Hmmm….the pizza….the quinoa soup.

  32. Merissa March 20, 2014 at 6:17 am Reply

    I would love to try the Comensoli Vegan Gluten-Free Pizza. It’s so hard to find stuff that is gluten- and dairy-free.

  33. Diana March 20, 2014 at 6:30 am Reply

    Everything looks so good. I saw the Udi’s frozen meals at my Whole Foods this weekend and squealed like a little pig out of excitement.

  34. Karla March 20, 2014 at 7:02 am Reply

    The frozen pasta! I really haven’t found a pasta yet that I’m crazy about.

  35. Kim Ledford-Burley March 20, 2014 at 7:02 am Reply

    Udis kale lasagna please!!

  36. Rachel T. March 20, 2014 at 8:10 am Reply

    I would love to try those Siracha snacks! Yum!

  37. Diana Padilla March 20, 2014 at 9:13 am Reply

    I’m excited about the Comensoli Vegan Pizza!!!! 🙂

  38. Jennifer Nerad March 20, 2014 at 10:53 am Reply

    The vegan gf pizza looks awesome!!

  39. Peggy Kight March 20, 2014 at 5:28 pm Reply

    Love UDI’s Pizza

  40. Vik March 20, 2014 at 8:47 pm Reply

    Mary’s Gone crackers!

  41. Lori B. March 21, 2014 at 4:07 pm Reply

    Was most excited by Mary’s Gone Crackers Everything Pretzels… Great info on some great products… Thanks !…

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