Expo East 2018 trend preview: Healthy snackification

U.S. sales of salty snacks alone are expected to reach $29 billion by 2022, according to Packaged Facts—and that figure doesn’t even include the sweet bites, balls and bars that are flying off natural store shelves. With these Natural Products Expo East snack launches permeate all sections of the store, including frozen, refrigerated and grocery.

Rind Tropical Blend
Did you know that more vitamins, antioxidants and fiber are found in the skin of fruit than in the flesh? We needed this gentle reminder. Rind launched to make sure health-conscious consumers get their fruit skin in by drying thinly sliced oranges, apples, kiwis and persimmons without first removing the skin. The result is a healthful snack that delivers 7 grams dietary fiber per serving, and a cool food waste-mitigation story, as no fruit skin peelings head to the landfill from this facility. SRP: $5.99; Booth 262

Taali Water Lily Pops Tangy Turmeric
Popped water lily seeds are a popular snack in India, and have a long history of being used as an Ayurvedic medicinal food. But they are relatively unknown in the United States. Taali hopes to change that by offering popped lily seeds in both classic and consumer-friendly flavors, such as Tikka Masala, Sriracha Spice, Tangy Turmeric, Himalayan Pink Salt and White Cheddar. They are delightfully crunchy, and even deliver a touch of protein. SRP: $3.99; Booth 860

I’m Different Original Crunchy Coconut Clusters
These crispy snack chunks feature sweetened coconut, pumpkin seeds, chia seeds and whey protein concentrate for an added boost. Each serving contains 6 grams of protein—impressive for such a small snack. We particularly love how I’m Different rocks a hard-core 80s vibe with its packaging—it’s sure to stand out on the store shelf! High-fives to the Non-GMO Project Verified seal, too. SRP: $5.99; Booth 4704

Nolita Cauli-Bites Original
Remember those frozen tater rounds you used to eat in high school? These delicious frozen “cauli-bites” are much better! Made not with potatoes but with cauliflower, these crunchy baked orbs are a fun side dish or quick snack. To serve, just pop them into the oven, and allow to turn golden brown. Followers of grain-free diets should rejoice, too, as cauli-bites are made with almond flour, not wheat flour. So tasty! SRP: $8.99; Booth 9020

Lavva Original Whole Food, Plant Based Yogurt Mango
We’re not exactly sure how Lavva founder and CEO Liz Fisher made this plant-based yogurt so texturally similar to dairy yogurt, but we’re excited that she did. The secret to this yogurt’s success is the pili nut, a rich, buttery nut that is cultivated in volcanic soil in Southeast Asia, cassava root and plantains. Lavva earns bonus points for this product because the formulation doesn’t contain added sugar, just fresh mango. SRP: $2.49; Booth 5100

Shanti Bar Mango Cashew Turmeric
This ultra-clean nutrition bar is a USDA Organic delight. Shanti Bar stands out in the crowded bar market for containing 17 grams high-quality plant-based protein from a blend of high-quality sources, including brown rice, cashews, almonds and chia seeds. Goji berries, turmeric, mango and cacao butter give this bar superfood status. SRP: $2.99; Booth 8821