Health Lab - Cacao Matcha Probiotic Ball - Dec. 29, 2019

Chocolate of the Day: 

Health Lab
Cacao Matcha Probiotic Ball
Good
Weight: 1.41 oz. (40 g.) in 1 ball
Calories: 181 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $0.69 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Grocery Outlet Bargain Market, Palo Alto, CA

Welcome to Day #8 of Holiday Tea and Spirits Theme Week.

Today's Cacao Matcha Probiotic Ball was made in Australia for Health Lab (Melbourne, Australia).

This satisfying (gluten free, vegan, low sodium and low carb)* snack ball had light matcha green tea flavor, substantial chewy texture and cacao flavor. And, it was not too sweet (thank you!).

It deserved a spot on the dessert table rather just stuffed in the hiking backpack.

Ingredients: dates, cashews, organic coconut, cacao nibs, "1 billion vegan probiotics," organic matcha green tea. 

Sodium in 1 ball was 4 mg; and total carbs were 7.6 grams (3.3 grams of which were fiber).

Health Lab - Cacao Sea Salt Collagen Ball - July 22, 2019

Chocolate of the Day: 

Health Lab
Cacao Sea Salt Collagen Ball
Good - Good +
Weight: 1.4 oz. (40 g.) for 1 package
Calories: 196 calories in 1 ball
Cost: $0.69 for 1 ball
Purchased from: Grocery Outlet Bargain Market, Palo Alto, CA

Welcome to Day #8 of Chocolate and Sea Salt Theme Week.

Today's Cacao Sea Salt Collagen* Ball ("Beauty Snack for hair, skin and nails") was from Health Lab (Melbourne, Australia).

This chocolate had the even aroma and flavor of a fudge brownie, only chewier.
It had a thick, substantial texture and was satisfying, with a sweet cocoa aftertaste.

The added sea salt was quite subtle but was present throughout the tasting experience at about the same level.

*The company uses marine collagen for its collagen balls.

Health Lab - Cacao Protein Ball - June 23, 2019

Chocolate of the Day: 

Health Lab
Cacao Protein "Energize" Ball
Good - Good +
Weight: 1.41 oz. (40 g.) in 1 ball
Calories: 172 calories in 1 ball
Cost: $0.69 for 1 ball
Purchased from: Grocery Outlet Bargain Market, Palo Alto, CA

Welcome to Day #4 of Chocolate and Cashews Theme Week.

Today's Cacao Protein "Energize" Ball was made in Australia for Health Lab (Australia, with a U.S. presence).

Health Lab was founded in 2015 by Jess Thomas (who formerly worked at L'Oreal), as a "wellness and beauty brand inspired by what read women need and want." Great marketing statement, but how did the product taste?

The generously-sized, date-sweetened Cacao Protein Ball had a fudgey, substantial chew and flavor; and it contained a short list of ingredients* including Whey Protein and cashews, that made it more satisfying.

According to Health Lab representatives, their protein balls are gluten and grain free and the balls contain "no gluten, no soy, no palm oil, no artificial colors or flavors."

*Ingredients: "Dates, Cashew Nuts, Organic and Fair Trade Coconut, Raw Cacao (8%), Whey Protein Concentrate (8%), Water, Sea Salt" 

Health Lab - Choc Cherry Collagen Ball - May 6, 2019

Chocolate of the Day; 

Health Lab
Choc Cherry Collagen Ball
Good +
Weight: 1.4 oz. (40 g.) in 1 ball
Calories: 170 calories in 1 bar
Cost: $0.69 for 1 bar
Purchased from: Grocery Outlet Bargain Market, Palo Alto, CA

Welcome to Day #10 of Chocolate and Cherries Theme Week.

Today's Choc Cherry Collagen Ball was made in Australia for Health Lab (Melbourne, Australia).

This ball had a soft, relatively moist chew and was full of balanced, natural-tasting flavors.*

The first ingredient was dates. And too much date can sometimes create a saturated fruit, sweet acidity that can be too much. However, pumpkin seeds, collagen (marine) protein, and nuts (almonds and cashews) helped balance the acidity from dates, cherries and cacao in an unexpectedly satisfying way.

A chocolate with added protein and a little fat—and less (or no) sugar—often gives us this satisfied feeling. And this gluten-free ball contained 7.3 mg of protein and contained no added sugar (thank you!).

Ingredients: Dates, pumpkin seeds, hydrolyzed marine collagen (fish); sour cherries, organic coconut, almonds, cashew nuts, organic raw cacao, organic coconut oil, natural "choc" flavor, sea salt.