We all want to eat healthy; we have the best intentions, right? But, as much as we know the basic food pyramid, and understand the correlation between fats, sugars, and weight, we often reach for the less than ideal choice. For most of us it is not a lack of understanding 'x is better for you than y,' but a lack of know how. We reach for those neon orange cheese puffs because they happen to be in the hallway vending machine, and we gulp that calorie laden soda because we crave something sweet. But convenience and flavor don't have to be compromised for the sake of better eating decisions. Now, more than ever, there is a huge market for health minded snacks that curb cravings. The best of these snacks, in my opinion, have minimal ingredients and are tailored to every diet. Momma was always great about finding budget friendly ways to make snack time healthy, and I was raised eating homemade applesauce and fruit roll ups. Not everyone has the appliances, or the time, to make their own snacks, so brands such as goVida have stepped in.
Unlike your ordinary flash frozen, freeze dried, fruit based snacks, goVida has taken a new approach to fruit based crunch snacking. Not only do they utilize a highly technical process of handling and transforming the fruit, but their unique flavor medleys won't be found elsewhere in the category of commercially freeze-dried fruit. Inspired by two mothers, intent on harnessing the local flavors of their homeland, goVida features fruits and flavors such as Dulce De Leche and Cape Gooseberry. The result is an exotic snack that intrigues the palette in flavor and texture. Each individual serving pouch is sealed at the peak of freshness and includes 2 contrasting, yet complimenting, flavors. Entirely soy, gluten, and nut free, you will find no preservatives or chemicals in goVida.
I was sent a collection of their current product and flavor range to feature in a review here on Momma Told Me. Sold online, and currently in a few select physical retailers back East, goVida servings contain approximately 17g of freeze-dried flavor, with an average 140%+ daily intake of vitamin C and antioxidants, as well as 70 calories or less per serving. Nominal nutritional aspects include carbohydrates and fiber, inherit from the natural fruit. While I, personally, am not much for exotic flavors, I scrambled to try the brand's take on Strawberries and Dulce de Leche. I'd never seen an additional freeze-dried component (such as dulce de leche) integrated into this form of snacking before. Sure enough, among generous sized slices of strawberry, were crunchy drops of sweet Dulce de Leche! These truly melted along my tongue to form a creamy, low calorie, indulgence I really enjoyed.
Of the three varieties the other half and I knew least what to expect from the Dragon Fruit and Cape Gooseberry. Rich in Omega 6 fatty acids, this blend is certainly for the snacker who craves a more exotic treat. Known as the Pitaya in Spain, Dragonfruit, has a more mellow flavor than one might expect, when in freeze dried form. It also is one of the more peculiar fruits I have seen this way, with it's snow white composition, littered with antioxidant rich seeds. Gooseberry, arguably more bitter, helps balance out this blend which is perfect for those seeking a harmonious flavor that eats well together.
Lastly, Kiwi and Mango appealed to the other half, who seems to have a fondness for the somewhat exotic Kiwi fruit. Finding ripe kiwis locally, without breaking the bank, can be a challenge, so I appreciate goVida preserving them and their flavor in these pouches. Also high in Vitamin C, and great for the immune system, this blend runs on the sweet side, with the kiwi offering a hint of tang. The large Mango slices are uncommon for freeze-dried blends, that tend to feature chips and fractions of fruit slices. Of the three varieties there were less individual pieces overall, but, perhaps, the best 'fresh' flavor, for me. I'm not a fan of wither of these fruits (for texture), and eating them in goVida form really helps me expand my culinary boundaries.
What Daughter Says: Snack wisely with the exotic flavors of goVida!
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I like that it is NUT FREE. I am allergic to nuts
ReplyDeleteWhat about peach/vanilla?
ReplyDeleteI love that it is nut free!!!
ReplyDeleteOh these flavors look right up my alley! Yum!
ReplyDeleteYummm, want to try that! I too have a nut allergy
ReplyDeleteAlways looking for a healthy snack and these look great! Hope I win!
ReplyDeleteor pineapple?? I like the idea of peach, too!
ReplyDeletestrawberry & white chocolate
ReplyDeletelkish77123 at gmail dot com
My daughter loves dried fruits. Banana and coconut would be amazing!
ReplyDeleteI love them all - passion fruit and strawberries are the best
ReplyDeletepeach,
ReplyDeleteI would love to try these!!
ReplyDeleteBanana, chocolate and peanutbutter would be AMAZING!!!
ReplyDeleteyum!! these look SOO good!!
ReplyDeleteAcai blueberry would be good!
ReplyDeleteI'd like to try peach and pineapple or coconut and pineapple. Can you tell I'm in the mood for pineapple today?
ReplyDeleteStephanie
steph 0828 at hotmail dot com
I'd like to see something with melon
ReplyDeleteI would like blackberry/raspberry.
ReplyDeleteHow about blackberry/peach or blackberry/nectarine? I love that combination in cobblers. :)
ReplyDeleteI'd like to see Pineapple Banana
ReplyDeleteI would like to see pineapple
ReplyDeleteI would love to try all their varieties. These are next on my must try list! yummy
ReplyDeleteI'd like to try passionfruit/guava!
ReplyDeleteI think a honey peanut butter banana one would be super yummy!
ReplyDeleteI think a honey peanut butter banana one would be super yummy!
ReplyDeleteFB fan as Kathy Newsom Davis
ReplyDeleteKathy Davis
kdavis1@centurytel.net
I would like flavors kiwi and watermelon.
ReplyDeleteI would like to see a banana strawberry
ReplyDeleteStarfruit and lemon
ReplyDeleteGigi(rafflecopter)
I would love to see pineapple and coconut.
ReplyDeleteI want to see some kind of apricot snack.
ReplyDeletewow im excited for the kiwi and dragon fruit! how about some Durian? i've had dehydrated/ chip verisons of Durian, but they weren't very good. maybe goVida can make it better.
ReplyDeleteNectarine
-Lynn
pomegranate/passionfruit!! I so need to try these out!
ReplyDeleteBanana or peach would be yummy! :)
ReplyDeleteraspberry is my favorite that I would like to see
ReplyDeleteI would love to see Litchi!
ReplyDeleteI'm thinking coconut and banana. That would be fantastic.
ReplyDeleteThese sound awesome!! A blueberry/banana or blackberry/pear would be amazing too...
ReplyDeleteTtrockwood@yahoo.com
Ttrockwood
Awe, I love to see the shapes and colors! And I think I'd like to see peach & banana.
ReplyDeleteI'd like Banana & Pineapple.
ReplyDeleteMango and pineapple.
ReplyDeletePomegranate and chocolate.
ReplyDeleteI'd like to see a pineapple and coconut variety! Maybe with some banana thrown in? YUM!!
ReplyDeleteThanks!
h4schaffer at gmail dot com
Lavender and vanilla.
ReplyDeleteAlexDean03(at)yahoo.com
I would love to see a peach/white chocolate flavor!
ReplyDelete