7. Best healthy plant-based dessert: SAMBAZON Blueberry Açaí Smoothie Pops
SAMBAZON is known for bringing açaí to grocery stores, and its wide range of products now includes these smoothie pops. One serving (two pops) only contains 25 calories and 4 grams of sugar, all of which comes from fruit.
The expert’s take: “This pick is low in calories, carbs, and contains just a teaspoon of sugar. Another reason why it’s the best healthy plant-based dessert is that it’s made with antioxidant-rich pomegranate and açaí juice,” says Upton.
Our tasting notes: “These reminded me of the popsicles we ate constantly over the summer as kids, except they’re even more refreshing. I really enjoyed them as a snack when I craved something sweet and cold, and the boost of antioxidants and electrolytes was an added bonus,” says McDonald.
8. Best healthy plant-based meal: Loma Linda Ultimate Chili
Loma Linda thought of everything when it created this new plant-based meal. These vegan packs of chili contain 15 grams of protein, 280 calories, and 15 grams of fiber. But that’s not all—the 10-ounce bags are shelf-stable, meaning they don’t need to be refrigerated. To heat the meal up, simply tear open the bag and microwave it, or keep it sealed and boil it.
The expert’s take: “With a moderate amount of calories and being low in saturated fat, Loma Linda’s Ultimate Chili wins for the best plant-based meal. The only issue is sodium, but most products in this category are high in sodium,” says Upton.
Our tasting notes: “I love chili, so I was so excited when Upton picked this product. I heated it up in the microwave and ate it plain. It was perfectly spicy, warm, and hearty. Not only is it filled with beans and veggies, but there are also plant-based crumbles inside to mimic ground beef. I also love how I didn’t need to get any dishes dirty to make it,” says McDonald.