“Let food be your medicine” — this timeless oath of Hippocrates sounds more and more relevant and important these days: in a busy flow of modern life we need enough efforts to maintain health, energy and well-being. And each time the answer is in the way we eat — making choice towards healthy products we benefit our body with the greatest amount of trace elements and vitamins, and also protect it from clogging with harmful substances, reducing the risk of various diseases.
Huge amount of producers offer various alternatives for well-balanced healthy diet. Using the example of FOODIN brand — one of the pioneers in the production of Organic & Healthy foods in Scandinavia, spreading the best food culture for ten years — we picked a bunch of products, benefits of which impact both on the our well-being and the environment.
About FOODIN: This is a family business that manufactures all of its products in its own factory using only sustainable solar energy. According to the founders of the brand Lasse and Maria Jalkanen, their mission is to make the best gifts of our planet available to every person.
“Nowadays, people are more and more inclined towards a healthy and thoughtful eating, — says Maria. — Various factors contribute to this. For example, climate change is the worst threat of our time and we have to change our choices when it comes to food. Also, when you eat healthy, you are taking care of yourself and providing yourself a better life”.
“What you eat not only affects your endurance on a physical level, but has a comprehensive effect on well-being also on a psychological level in the long run, — says Lasse. — Versatile, high-quality and nutritious food with lots of colors also nourishes us on a spiritual level”.
SUPERFOODS
High in nutritional value and the amount of vitamins, minerals and other micronutrients, superfood are an integral part of a healthy diet.
– Dried Berries
Like The Finnish Nordic Berries blend, which contains seven different freeze-dried berry powders, it brings together the best qualities of berries from Northern nature.
How to Use: Great addition to yogurt, porridge or smoothies. 1 tablespoon of berry powder equals about 1 dl of fresh berries.
“Recently, the number of manufacturers of “healthy products” has grown significantly, and finding a product that is 100% pure, without any artificial additives, refined sugar or other minor inclusions, is still difficult, — continues Maria. — I think it is unfair to “trick” the consumer that a product is healthy, even though it actually contains un-healthy ingredients. Our mission is to “provide better food for a better tomorrow”, we want to make good products that make good for the consumer, the farmer and the environment. We want to be uncompromising and stand behind our products 100%”.
– Green Powders
The green powders used for the Green Powder Mix are freeze-dried to ensure the preservation and best absorption of nutrients. The organic wheatgrass, barley grass, alfalfa, spirulina, kale, spinach, nettle, chlorella and moringa leaf provide their best properties, conveniently packed in one blend.
How to Use: in juice or water, smoothies, also can be added to baked goods to add variety to familiar dishes.
– Spirulina
No wonder this is one of the most popular green powders because of its versatility, usability and good shelf life.
Foodin Organic Spirulina is cultivated in India using natural methods in a clean and controlled environment, making it a unique and high-quality green.
How to Use: good addition to liquids — juices, fruit cocktails, smoothies.
– Nettle Leaf
Prepared by freeze drying wild nettle, Brings versatility to cooking.
How to Use: add some to pancake batter or bread dough, to soups, stews, omelettes, sauces, salads and pastes.
“Superfoods are not only a trend, for many they have become an integral part of a healthy and nutritious diet, — continues Maria. — Nutrient-dense foods that have been around us for a long time. I think superfood is more of a good term for food that is particularly good for you. Knowledge about food and being aware of it has increased a lot through the years and by that more and more of us want to do choices for our own well-being and for the environment”.
HEALTHY FATS
Unsaturated and other vegetables fats play an important role in metabolic processes, cholesterol breakdown and regeneration.
– Nut butter
Organic Nut butters like Foodin Organic Cashew Butter are made from organic nuts and normally contain no additional ingredients.
How to Use: Great for both sweet and savory dishes — can be used as a sauce or paste, in mashed soups, on top of fried vegetables, an excellent filling for cakes, muffins, pies, and also to decorate raw porridge, chia pudding, fruit salad or smoothie.
– Tahini
Tahini is a paste made from peeled sesame seeds. Its versatility makes it an increasingly popular ingredient in many recipes and particularly hummus.
How to Use: Goes well with noodles, stir-fried vegetables, and a great way to add color and texture to various sauces. Tahini is good for baking and desserts.
– Coconut Manna
Coconut manna is made using pulp from fresh coconuts that have been farmed sustainably and ethically.
How to Use: This delicious organic coconut purée is used in both sweet desserts and savory dishes — it makes sauces and stews richer and creamier, it can be used in dough and icing.
– Healthy Spreads
Great alternative to Nutella and other mass-market similarities with high amount of sugar and palm fat — this ones are made from 100% plant-based organic ingredients.
How to Use: As a sauce, in baked goods, in smoothie bowls and ice cream molds. One of the biggest treats is to dip fresh strawberries into the melted spread.
– Virgin Coconut Oil
Coconut oil contains plenty of saturated fats, and its properties make the oil a good option for frying and cooking.
How to Use: It is an excellent option for vegan cooks, as it can be used from frying banana pancakes to adding fullness to spicy Asian vegetable sauces. This oil also finds place in the bath rituals as moisturiser or hair mask.
– Hemp Oil
Foodin 100% hemp seed oil is cold pressed from the renown Finola hemp seed. Versatile hemp seed oil has a high omega fatty acid content.
How to Use: Use as a base for salad dressings or solely, drizzled over salads.
– Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Foodin olive oil is subtly aromatic, mildly creamy, soft and fruity. Due to the high polyphenol content of the oil, the taste has a gentle pepper-like kick to it.
How to Use: Organic olive oil is good for all kinds baking and cooking, from dressing salads, replacing butter in baking to being a downright essential in pastas and risottos. Also can be used in hair and skin care.
ALTERNATIVE BAKING
One of the trends in modern nutrition is the replacement of wheat flour products with alternative options, which is especially suitable for people with gluten intolerance.
– Rice Flour
Mild and soft, white rice flour is a gluten free flour alternative for healthy baking and cooking. The mild taste of the flour makes it suitable for both salty and sweet dishes.
How to Use: Rice flour is perfect for baking pancakes, pies, for making bread, pizza, and also for making cereals porridge.
– Psyllium
It’s a very fine powder made from the seeds of the plantain, or ribwort, which is rich in dietary fibre.
How to Use: Used in baking, making it incredibly soft. In gluten free baking, the powder improves the texture of bakes, and brings dough-binding properties and fluffiness to batters and doughs. Psyllium also gives fullness and texture to smoothies, yogurts and porridges.
– Pumpkin Seed Flour
This flour is made from high quality heirloom variety Styrian pumpkin seeds. The unique seeds are known for their delicious taste, large size and exceptionally dark colour.
How to Use: Particularly tasty in bun doughs and pancake batter. The taste of pumpkin seed flour is also great in soups and sauces.
BOOSTER DRINKS
– Coffee & coffee drinks
Foodin Flow Coffee brighten ups your day, it is made using organic Fairtrade arabica coffee. Lion’s mane extract, Chocamine®️ from cacao extract (theobromine), and L-theanine are added into the mix to create a balanced but energizing coffee experience.
Another blend, Reishi coffee, is made using organic Peruvian Fairtrade arabica coffee beans. The reishi extract added to this stomach-friendly medium roast coffee makes it even more well-rounded and versatile.
– Cacao
Flow Cacao is full of fantastic ingredients – the base is formed by organic cacao powder and coconut milk powder, topped with hefty amounts of supermaca, curcumin, lion’s mane extract, cordyceps extract, and the cacao extract Chocamine®️ (theobromine). Ceylon cinnamon, cardamom, liquorice extract, vanilla, and a dash of sea salt perfect the flavors in this cacao blend.
– Tinctures
Versatile herb and mushroom tinctures made with Chaga, Reishi and Roseroot are an easy way to add herbs and mushrooms to your daily diet.
How to Use: Convenient packaging with a pipette makes it easy to add your favourite tincture to water or other hot or cold drinks, and even into smoothies.
– Plant protein Mixes
Supervege Plant Protein Mix & Finnish Hemp Protein — both containing a large amount of protein, amino acids, minerals and vitamins is especially necessary for people involved in sports and leading an active lifestyle. Supervege Plant Protein Mix is a unique blend of three organic plant proteins: rice, peas and hemp. Hemp protein is made from hemp varieties Finola, which does not have intoxicating properties.
How to Use: Protein blends are great in shakes, cooking, and baking.
“Our wide product rage includes over 200 products and many of them are part of my and our familys everyday life, — continues Lasse. — Green Porwer and Morning Porwer Mix are my two go-to products every morning. We want to create better alternatives for the market – make products that are not only fuel but also nutritious and that have a deeper meaning in the whole production chain.
SPICES
Spices are a simple way to renew familiar foods and rejuvenate old recipes. A little imagination and courage, and any, even the simplest dishes, can be turned into culinary delights with the addition of spices and there is no limit to perfection.
– Ceylon Cinnamon
Cinnamon is one of the oldest and most esteemed spices in human history. Thanks to its deep and rich spicy taste, it works wonders in cooking.
How to Use: Great for cakes and pies, icing, pancakes, muffins and berry muffins. Cinnamon is also a delicious addition to hot drinks such as cocoa, milk, tea or coffee.
– Curry
Madras Curry is a classic Indian spice mix that perfectly pairs with both vegetable and meat dishes. Black pepper, chili, coriander, cumin, cinnamon, clove, cardamom, ginger, nutmeg, turmeric, fennel and yellow mustard seed create a balanced and spicy combination.
– Vanilla Powder
Organic Vanilla is one of the most valuable and treasured spices in the world, used to bring depth and sweetness to a wide variety of foods and desserts.
How to Use: Vanilla can be added to dough, coffee, cocoa, it adds depth and gentle sweetness to the mixture.
SNACKS, BARS & RAW CHOCOLATE
They are an excellent option for when you need a quick snack, but want something healthy, while charming raw chocolate is as perfect gift or treat to share with loved ones.
– Raw Chocolate
Made from raw cocoa beans of the original Criollo variety. Raw cacao is like wine — you can taste its growing environment: the soil, the surrounding vegetation, the conditions.
Foodin raw chocolate range includes flavors such as almond, raspberry, ginger, strawberry, coconut and more. All chocolate is vegan and free of preservatives and additives.
– Licorice Dates
Juicy organic dates covered with real licorice powder are one of the most beloved and recommended treats, they are a great and healthy substitute for candies. It can also be used as a natural sweetener in baked goods and in smoothies, shakes, cereals, granolas, muesli and yogurt, adding sweetness and amazing taste to the dish.
– Bars: collagen protein & granola
Ideal for training, hiking, as a snack during the work day or while studying. Bars can be also used in baked goods, crushed over ice cream, cake, or mixed into snacks in a variety of flavors. And if you dip the bars in raw chocolate or nut butter, they turn into a delicious dessert.
Maria & Lasse: “It’s nice to see and understand that food habits are changing and more and more want to make better choices. It’s been also studied that eating habits and times have become more flexible. Traditional thinking is moving towards an individualistic direction where people are listening to their bodies and their needs and cravings. We will travel a longer road so your roads towads better choises is shorter and you can enjoy high quality products and be sure of their sustainability and production.
You can get acquainted with the whole FOODIN assortment here: www.foodin.fi
Text: Marina Timo
Photo courtesy: EATWEEKGUIDE
