Sunkist Orange Gummies

Sunkist Orange Gummies
Photograph Copyright Kelsey Wyatt 2013

All right, so "gummy" candy isn't exactly something of which people regularly associate wheat-laden ingredients, but apparently some gummy candies must have wheat in them because Sunkist goes out of its way to suggest that their orange gummies are gluten-free. This leads this writer to believe that it's probably worth taking a look on the ingredient lists of other, similar foods (perhaps those bear-shaped gummies) to see if there's anything that might seem unfriendly to a gluten-free eater.

Sunkist Orange Gummies
Photograph Copyright Kelsey Wyatt 2013

In the world of gummies, there are certainly a number of different types of shapes and flavors and they are primarily going to be in some sort of fruit flavor and Sunkist Orange Gummies are no exception. And in fact the company seems not only to offer a classic, smooth type of gummy candy, but they also have some sort of gourmet style of gummies (gourmet gummies? sure, why not) and a few others that offer varying degrees of squishability (should be a word, I realize that it is not) and juiciness.
For anyone who enjoys oranges and orange flavored food (and there must be a lot of us because why else would Sunkist provide an entire box that was comprised solely of orange candy?), these gummies will fit the bill as far a s gluten-free, fruit-flavored snack is concerned, but I doubt anyone is going to form a serious candy addiction to the little fruit pellets. The fact that they're gluten-free simply gives those of us with a reason to eat gluten-free foods a free pass to indulge in candy with the knowledge that they don't have any bad ingredients.

Sunkist Orange Gummies
Photograph Copyright Kelsey Wyatt 2013

Of course, if one is concerned at the nutritional content of these little candies, it might be best to eat an actual orange. After all, does one really expect that candy or imitation fruit pellets are going to be a healthy option? Sure, most companies try to suggest that you can get "vitamins" from their fruit candies, but since very few of them actually include real fruit juice, getting one's vitamins in this manner is likely suspect activity.

But based on pure taste, Sunkist Orange Gummies do fit the bill and are going to please anyone who likes gummy candy and also needs the assurance that a type of candy is gluten-free.

Sunkist Orange Gummies Report Card:

Things They Did Right

These gummies do their job. Juicy little orange "slices" that have a good orange taste to them (yes, they actually taste like the flavor orange instead of something that almost tastes like orange like apple flavored and grape flavored candies tend to do) and a pleasing consistency for a gummy candy. Not too dry, not too juicy and a nice gumminess (yes, I know, not a word, but it's more descriptive and appropriate than the similarly hued chewiness).

Sunkist Orange Gummies
Photograph Copyright Kelsey Wyatt 2013

Things to Improve
You can't really improve on standard gummy candies, but if given the choice between these candies, the Sunkist "Orange Slices" or the more expensive Sunkist "Fruit Gems," the simplest snack will probably be these gummies. They are unadorned, without any sugar coating, unlike the other gummy candies from Sunkist.

Beanitos Pinto Bean & Flax Chips

Beanitos Pinto Bean & Flax Chips
Photograph Copyright 2013 by Kelsey Wyatt

Flax is something that has been touted as a type of "super food" in recent years and a number of manufacturers who have been making health food have been attempting to include flax in their ingredient list so as to suggest that their food is going to help fight everything from heart disease and diabetes to breast cancer and weight gain. While most of the studies suggesting such results are in their infancy, it's likely safe to say that flax is something that certainly won't harm anyone.

And it's a rather handy ingredient to have in any gluten-free meal that is made in such a way that it's supposed to mimic a type of food that would ordinarily have regular wheat flour in it. Since flax is something that isn't just touted by gluten-free advocates, but which is also seen as a healthy part of a natural diet, flax-laden entrees are starting to appear on many store shelves even if a store doesn't have a dedicated health food or organic section.

Beanitos Pinto Bean & Flax Chips
Photograph Copyright 2013 by Kelsey Wyatt

Most chips contain some sort of wheat flour in them even if they're a corn-based chip (it's usually in whatever coating goes onto the chips to flavor them) and so even purchasing a bag of corn chips can result in problems because just about everything has some wheat flour in it. 
Fortunately for Beanitos Pinto Bean & Flax Chips, they are not only wheat-free, but also include a hefty amount of natural and healthy ingredients so the chips are probably something that would attract more than just the gluten-free crowd.

Of course, the big question is whether someone might enjoy the chips whether they need to eat gluten-free products or not. And the one thing that might prevent total enjoyment of these chips is that they're not really just "cheddar cheese" flavored. They would definitely be more accurately labeled as "nacho" flavored as they do have a zest to them that is rather unexpected. It is just this writer's opinion that something labeled as "cheddar' shouldn't taste.... spicy.

So the best way to think about these chips (well this particular flavor anyway) is that they're a grainy sort of bean-like nacho chip. They have a kick to them and even seem to be somewhat dry (only way to describe them) so after you have a few handfuls, you might want to chug a giant glass of water. They seem to be a decent snack if you eat about a dozen of them, but going any further seems to lessen the overall taste as they're fairly dry.

Beanitos Pinto Bean & Flax Chips
Photograph Copyright 2013 by Kelsey Wyatt

The biggest attraction for these chips is likely that they're completely full of all sorts of healthy ingredients (the text on the bag goes far in suggesting this as they seem to be corn free, soy free, potato free and are even kosher... among many other positive attributes). These chips definitely taste as though they're made of pinto beans. It's almost like you're eating nacho flavored pinto beans in chip form.

Which might be more acceptable if the bag would lead one to believe that the chips were actually spicy and not just a mild cheddar flavor. If you're not a fan of spicy chips, you probably won't prefer this flavor of Beanitos (the company makes more than one flavor).

Beanitos Pinto Bean & Flax Chips Report Card

What They Did Well:

There are a ton of gluten-free chips out there that all have different flavors and these chips actually provide a rather unique taste experience. They're not a corn or potato chip and are actually very "beany." Something worth trying if you'd like a different chip-eating experience. They're also filled to the brim with all sorts of healthy elements (beans are quite healthy regarding their nutrients) and so as a snack, they're probably one of the best things you could munch on.

Beanitos Pinto Bean & Flax Chips
Photograph Copyright 2013 by Kelsey Wyatt

What could Improve:

These are nacho flavored! Don't let the bag convince you that it's just cheddar in there. They are spicy and crisp and can be mildly overwhelming in large quantities. 

They're also somewhat dry (yes, I know chips are always dry, but these seem excessively so... perhaps it's just a lack of grease like potato chips tend to have) and this can wear on the taste buds after a few chips. Best eaten in small quantities or as part of a meal and not the main component.

Lundberg Risotto Alfredo Parmesan Cheese

Lundberg Risotto Alfredo Parmesan Cheese
Photograph Copyright 2012 by Kelsey Wyatt

Lundberg makes a number of gluten free rice-based entrees such as various types of risotto and rice cakes and if you're interested in something cheesy, the Parmesan cheese alfredo style risotto might be the ticket. One of the constant elements of many of the offerings from this company is that they like to put a hint of garlic into just about everything they make and this is likely the case here as well as this flavor seems to have a bit of a kick to it (which could be garlic or some other sort of similar spice).

Lundberg Risotto Alfredo Parmesan Cheese
Photograph Copyright 2012 by Kelsey Wyatt

It's also worth pointing out that making Lundberg Risotto Alfredo Parmesan Cheese does require a little practice, as it's quite easy to end up having a rather mushy bowl of something that's supposed to resemble rice rather than a type of food with the proper definition and separation of a classic bowl of risotto. I haven't been able to make risotto that looks like what is on the front of the box (and I've tried a half dozen flavors at this point).

So advice for anyone who hasn't made risotto before: read the back of the box for the directions and don't try to treat this meal as a regular bowl of rice. Risotto is different and it's made differently. Just like regular rice, risotto does have a pretty decent calorie count so nobody's diet will be torpedoed by eating a bowl of this particular dish.

Despite the alternative cooking method that is required (the rice is sauteed and not just added to a boiling pot of water), anyone who likes flavored rice dishes should enjoy - or should be able to find a flavor of risotto to enjoy - something of what the Lundberg folks have to offer. Their boxed risotto options are all organic and gluten free and are usually not priced too extravagantly either.

Lundberg Risotto Alfredo Parmesan Cheese
Photograph Copyright 2012 by Kelsey Wyatt

Lundberg Risotto Alfredo Parmesan Cheese Report Card

What They Got Right:

There are many different flavors of risotto that are available from Lundberg and chances are there's a flavor to suit anyone's tastes. The alfredo Parmesan flavor is definitely one of the milder varieties, so if you're looking for a nice accompaniment to a simple chicken dish or some meaty main course, this might be the best flavor to choose. It's also likely fine as a main dish as well or perhaps as a lunch option.

What Could Improve:

There needs to be a section of tips on the back of this box to teach people who aren't able to make a classic plate of risotto. Seriously. This is like the Olympics of rice style dishes. Perhaps this author just isn't a saute master. Yet.