This is the time of year I remind myself to take a closer look at some of the product samples I've received over the last few months. Helps me to find out about new products. And sometimes I'm surprised. Here are a few worth noting:
Michael David Winery. This struck my attention because one, I don't usually get free samples of wine. Two, I have friends with the same name combination - Michael (her real name) and David (her husband). So I said "Sure!" when the folks in Lodi, Calif., offered to send their product.
I had to laugh when the sample arrived, however. My friends, Michael and David are in the ministry. And the name of the wine I received? "7 Deadly Zins." www.michaeldavidwinery.com
Extend Nutrition bars. Developed by renowned endocrinologist Dr. Francine Kaufman, these snack bars are specifically for people with diabetes. How to they live up to the claim to "control blood sugar for up to 9 hours"?
Key ingredient is uncooked corn starch which is low on the glycemic index scale and delivered slowly into the blood stream. Reliable research shows that snacks made with uncooked corn starch may help prevent overnight low blood sugar reactions in people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
This "long-acting carbohydrate snack bar" may also help control the appetite between meals, a few small studies suggest. That might be helpful for folks trying to lose weight.
They are gluten-free. And they come in a variety of flavors. Taste? You be the judge. www.ExtendNutrition.com
Salt for Life. This salt-like product is half sea salt and half salt substitute (potassium chloride). So you get the intensity of real salt but a lot less sodium per serving. For example, 1/4 teaspoon of salt contains 590 milligrams of sodium compared to 136 milligrams of sodium in 1/4 teaspoon Salt for Life. It's also Kosher. And it can be used in equal amounts to substitute for salt in recipes. www.Nu-tekfoodscience.com
TRAVELTIME bars. Infused with more resveratrol - the health-promoting pigment in red grapes - than 50 glasses of red wine, says the product promotion. Gulp. These bars also contain a proprietary strain of baker's yeast extract clinically proven to enhance the body's immune system.
Of course I was skeptical. Turns out this ingredient - Welmune WGP� - won a research award in 2009 and 2007 from the prestigious Institute of Food Technologists. And it has some good research to back it up.
Bars come in a variety of flavors and contain 190 calories and 30 grams carbohydrates. They are vegan, dairy-free, gluten-free, Kosher, high fiber, low sodium, and made with no trans fat or high fructose corn syrup. And believe it or not, they taste pretty darn good. www.traveltimebar.com
Beanfields Bean and Rice Chips. These are really tasty. Primary ingredient? Beans and rice. They are gluten-free and higher in fiber than many chip products. Come in several flavors and even an unsalted version. Family-owned and U.S farmed. www.beanfieldssnacks.com
(Barbara Quinn is a registered dietitian and certified diabetes educator at the Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula. Email her at bquinn@chomp.org.)
