Top Vegetarian and Vegan Snacks and Drinks for 2015!

by Lucy Moore | 11 September 2015

Dell'Ugo's Asparagus & Mozzarella Ravioli

Dell'Ugo is celebrating as its popular Asparagus & Mozzarella Ravioli has been voted Best Vegetarian Product in the 'Treats' category of the Healthy Food Guide Awards 2015. These pasta parcels, filled with tender young shoots of asparagus and mozzarella cheese, are a consumer favourite for their delicious goodness without the guilt.

Are you looking for new vegan snacks?

The Healthy Food Guide Awards, now in their third year, were created to target the healthy eating market. The Awards have helped consumers to become more label savvy and look for items that are both good for the taste buds and health. Products shortlisted are reviewed by a panel of expert judges to find entries that both taste delicious and are in fact healthy - no hidden ingredients such as sugars, fats and additives.

Available from Waitrose for £2.99.

Jumble Bee Tropicals

How about grabbing a handful of paradise with the new range of Tropicals from Jumble Bee. These delicious, exotic mixes of big chunky pieces of sweetened and dried, mouth-watering fruits make the perfect indulgent treat for busy bees on-the-go. Keep one in your bag…or perfect to keep in your office drawer, for the kids' lunchboxes, the car….Jumble Bee are the perfect any time snack.

With five wholesome varieties in the fruit and nut mix range and the latest addition of the Tropicals range, there is something for everyone. Jumble Bee are priced from £1.49 and available from Sainsbury, Morrisons and Ocado

Everyone likes to have a nibble or snack when they're feeling peckish or down and these assorted mixes from Jumble Bee are just buzzing with natural goodness….the very best that nature can provide. Are Blissful Banana Chips your thing? What about a Tasty Trail Mix , full of raisins, dried papaya, dried coconut, pumpkin seeds, cashew nuts, brazil nuts, dried banana and almonds….Mmmmm, yummy!

Firefly Drinks

Firefly has unveiled a stylish new redesign and improved recipes. With no added sugar, they're a refreshing drink for any occasion. Filled to the brim with botanical extracts like elderflower, rosemary and mint, each drink will put a much needed spring in your step.

We especially like them for days when you're not on the alcohol, but fancy something a bit more than a plain juice - the Kiwi, Lime & Mint one tastes just like a mojito!

Alpro Coconut and Almond

Experience a taste sensation and enjoy the best of both worlds this summer with Alpro's brand new Coconut and Almond drink - a delicious blend of refreshing coconut with a subtle taste of Mediterranean almonds for an instant tropical hit.

Beautifully smooth and fresh, Alpro Coconut and Almond pairs two of 2015's hottest ingredients to form the perfect partner to a tall glass of ice, fruity smoothie or healthy bowl of bircher muesli.

Simply add a splash to all your summer favourites for a tasty plant-based twist to the season.

Naturally low in fat and sugars, and full of plant goodness, Alpro's new Coconut and Almond drink is also a source of vitamins D, B12 and E to help give you a much-needed boost* and bring summer straight to your door - just in case the British weather needs a little brightening.

The NEW Coconut and Almond drink is now available from Tesco, Asda and Morrisons stores nationwide at an MRSP of £1.79.

Ethos Ice Lollies

Stay healthy and refreshed this summer with Ethos' range of new guilt-free superfood ice lollies.

A stone's throw from Oxford Street, pop in and polish off the ice cold treats (£2.50 each) guaranteed to cool you down, made with coconut or almond milk, fruit, seeds and natural sweeteners.

Creamy, fruity and filled with goodness, Ethos' refreshing vegan ice-lollies offer a healthier alternative to the sugar-filled staples of the supermarket freezer. Enjoy the rich and tropical taste of the Mango and Chia lolly made with juicy mangos, rich in vitamin C, and chia seeds, which are a high source of Omega 3 and bursting with antioxidants. Alternatively, sample the very British Coconut and Berries made with fresh strawberries, and blackberries, the power berry of the moment, topped off with a touch of agave syrup and fresh mint.

Suffering through a sun-scorched commute? Overheating in the office? Drop in to Ethos for a deliciously different take on this summertime treat.

Stay charged this summer with an Ethos superfood ice lolly.

Rebel Kitchen Mylks

Rebel Kitchen (Rebel-Kitchen.com) are here to get people excited about food through awesome tasting snacks, made from simple ingredients direct from nature. With its innovative range of coconut mylks the brand sit at the forefront of the increasingly popular dairy free drinks category.

All mylks contain a base of three simple ingredients; coconut milk, Somerset spring water, and organic date nectar. Coconuts are sourced from an island in Western Indonesia, via a local supplier who pride themselves on the welfare of their employees.

The mylks are dairy, gluten, nut and soy free, contain no refined sugar, no additives or preservatives and are suitable for vegans, vegetarians, or those following a paleo diet.

‘The ‘y’ in Rebel Kitchen mylks means it’s not from cows but coconuts, and it’s 100% dairy free’.

Chia Seeds

Simple yet nutritious, Chia Bia is the new store cupboard essential that will leave you feeling happy and healthy from the inside out. Chia seeds make the perfect partner to the foods you already love - and just two spoonfuls every day will power your body with the nourishment and fuel* it needs to feel tip-top.

With a subtle taste, chia seeds are the perfect way to add a daily dash of goodness to favourite everyday dishes - without compromising on flavour. Simply sprinkle onto granola for breakfast, blend in a refreshing coconut smoothie or add to some courgetti for an easy mid-week meal.

Chia Bia is encouraging everyone to try the tiny seeds each day for two weeks and see if you can feel the difference. Share delicious recipe creations using the #chiabiachallenge and join the Chia Bia community @chiabiaseed for more inspiration.

The Chia Bia seed range includes whole and milled varieties, plus two chia berry mixes - cranberry or blueberry. The range is available from Holland and Barratt, Ocado, Amazon, Selfridges and independent health stores nationwide with RRPs ranging from £5.49 to £9.99.

The health benefits:

Chia is the highest-known plant-based source of omega-3 in the world which works to maintain a happy heart and strengthen the brain
High in fibre, the tiny seeds aid digestion and help to balance blood sugar levels and reduce cholesterol
Chia helps to reduce inflammation and improves circulation
High in zinc which is known to benefit the immune system and nervous system
Chia is a complete (plant) protein - making it a perfect source for vegans and vegetarians

Maple Water

It comes straight from organic maple trees in North America - it's 100% natural, with nothing added
Each drink has more manganese than a cup of kale and it;s packed full of 46 nutrients (including vitamins, minerals, polyphenols, antioxidants, electrolytes and prebiotics)
Lola Biggs, Dietitian says "The types of nutrients found in DRINKmaple make it a really effective, natural way to stay hydrated. The water's unique composition means that it's great post work out as its natural potassium content is equal to what you'd sweat out in the average hour of exercise. Swapping your usual spring water for Maple Water means you get a mix of 46 nutrients, including an array of age-fighting antioxidants, essential electrolytes and vital minerals such as Calcium, Iron and Magnesium, with fewer calories than a stick of celery"
The drink is naturally low in calories, contains half the sugar of coconut water with no added sugar or preservatives. Not only is it gluten free, dairy free, vegan friendly and non GMO, it's totally harmless to the trees and sustainable
Available from Ocado from August

Ombar Coco Mylk Buttons

Ombar, the high vibe chocolate company, has launched NEW Coco 'Mylk' Buttons, a delectable, dairy free 'mylk' chocolate that loves your health as much as you love a sweet treat.

Ombar offers high vibes with little bursts of deliciousness that are 100% natural, dairy free and vegan friendly. Each pack is made using raw, organic cacao from Ecuador and sweetened using organic coconut palm sugar, which is sustainably sourced from independent farmers in the Philippines.

Coco 'Mylk' Buttons give the phrase 'snack happy' a whole new, truer meaning because each button is packed with raw cacao, giving it a rich, complex and creamy flavour, and a healthy dosage of friendly bacteria which is shown to improve health and digestion.

Ombar's Coco 'Mylk' Buttons are the ideal scrumptious snack, perfect for popping into your handbag or even to use when getting your Mary Berry on in the kitchen. So here's high five to high vibe chocolate, brought to you with love from Ombar.

Ombar's Coco 'Mylk' Buttons are available to purchase from Planet Organic, Wholefoods, independent health food stores and online at www.therawchocolateshop.com. RRP £1.49

Nairn's Super Seeded Oatcakes

If you're looking to boost your daily fibre intake AND get your protein fix all in one bite, Nairn's NEW Super Seeded Oatcakes are the ultimate snack for you. Packed full of a nutritious combination of flaxseeds, chia seeds and sunflower seeds, the new Super Seeded Oatcakes can be enjoyed on their own or with nutritious toppings for a tasty filling snack with a satisfying crunch.

Perfect any time, as part of a balanced lunch, a pre-gym snack or simply a healthy option to get you through the day, Nairns' wheat free Super Seeded Oatcakes are deliciously wholesome with lots of health benefits. Plenty of seeds means plenty of protein, making them a welcome addition to any healthy diet, as well as adding a delightfully complex seedy taste for a tasty snack on their own or with super toppings such as avocado.

The combination of wholegrain oats and chia seeds also provides high levels of soluble fibre and complex carbohydrates, giving you all the slow release energy you need. Each oatcake also contains flaxseed and sunflower seeds which combine to provide high levels of omegas 3 and 6, both of which aid muscle growth and repair, making them the perfect snack both pre and post exercise.

Nairn's have also only used only organic ingredients making them as good for the environment as they are for you.

The Super Seeded Organic Oatcakes will be available from Morrisons and Waitrose stores from July 2015, and from Independent Health Food Stores from September 2015, for an RRP of £1.39.

Sea veg Crispies - Toasted Nori Snack

The popular Clearspring sea vegetable range has been extended to include these new light, thin and crispy toasted nori snacks.

Made with just four simple ingredients: nori grown in the clear waters off the coast of Korea, unrefined sea salt and organic sesame and rapeseed oil. Baked at very high temperatures for just a few seconds to produce this tasty, convenient and nutritious snack.

Available in independent health food stores and selected multiple retailers, or from www.clearspring.co.uk

AMY'S KITCHEN CLASSIC SOUPS RANGE

CHUNKY TOMATO SOUP - A favourite for a reason; with tender chunks of vine ripened tomato, this soup is low fat, full of body and flavour and is free from gluten and soy.

LENTIL SOUP - A traditional family recipe, this nourishing low fat soup is made from a blend of lentils, celery, carrots and onions. Rich in fibre and protein and full of nutrients, it will certainly fill you up. Suitable for vegans and free-from gluten, dairy, soy and lactose.

LENTIL VEGETABLE SOUP - This soup is packed full of fibre, protein and nutrients, with added succulent green beans, tomatoes, celery and spinach, which enhances its great taste. Suitable for vegans and free from gluten, dairy, soy and lactose.

CREAM OF MUSHROOM SOUP - A thick and creamy soup, delicious on its own or great as a base for your favourite dish. This new and improved recipe is now gluten free and low fat.

SPLIT PEA SOUP - This delicate soup, made from a blend of split peas and vegetables, is completely fat free and is light enough to be enjoyed any time of day. Suitable for vegans and free from gluten, dairy, soy and lactose.

Amy's Kitchen classic soup range RRP £1.69 available from selected Tesco, Waitrose, Ocado and selected Sainsbury's, Morrisons, Booths and Boots stores. They can also be picked up in Whole Foods and independent health food stores nationwide.

AMY'S KITCHEN HEARTY SOUPS RANGE

HEARTY FRENCH COUNTRY VEGETABLE SOUP - A soup full of flavour, with long grain red rice, vegetables and herbs slowly simmered to create a soup reminiscent of French family holidays. Suitable for vegans and free from gluten, dairy, soy and lactose.

HEARTY SPANISH RICE AND RED BEAN SOUP - This wholesome soup is full of some great complimentary flavours, including brown rice with red beans, tomatoes, onions, sweet peppers, sweet corn and green chilli. It is perfect for lunch or dinner. Suitable for vegans and free from gluten, dairy, soy and lactose.

HEARTY RUSTIC ITALIAN VEGETABLE SOUP - A delightful Mediterranean flavour made from protein-rich chickpeas, vegetables, brown rice and mushrooms. This hearty soup is a meal in itself and sure to fill even the biggest of appetites. Suitable for vegans and free from gluten, dairy, soy and lactose.

Amy's Kitchen Hearty soup range RRP £1.99 are available from selected Waitrose, Ocado, Tesco and selected Asda and Booths stores. They can also be found in Whole Foods and independent health food stores nationwide.

For further information, please visit www.amyskitchen.co.uk or the Amy's Kitchen Facebook page www.facebook.com/AmysKitchenUK

Little Valley Brewery Beers

Founded in 2005, Little Valley Brewery is based just outside of Hebden Bridge in West Yorkshire. Its full range of beers includes the Ginger Pale Ale, made with hand peeled fresh ginger, the Vanilla Porter, which uses fresh vanilla pods, and a refreshing Withens Pale Ale. All of Little Valley's beers are brewed with 100% organic agricultural ingredients and Little Valley is approved by both the Soil Association and the Vegan Society. The Ginger Pale Ale in particular, also has accreditation from the Fairtrade Association.

Natural Vitality Organic Houmous

Award-winning Natural Vitality is pleased to announce the launch of its Organic Houmous in London and the South East. Its three favourite, best selling, award-winning products are now easily available to health food stores across the region, including Planet Organic and As Nature Intended stores. The three varieties being launched in London and the South East are Extra Smooth Houmous, Smoked Organic Houmous, Slow Roasted Red Pepper Houmous. Each variety is certified organic, certified gluten-free, vegetarian, vegan and handmade in Somerset. Natural Vitality is a small, award winning, ethical company that makes delicious, nutritious, organic, gluten-free houmous. They are a team of good people, making good food in a good way using only the finest ingredients, who take pride in their artisan products.

Uncle Ben's Rice and Grains Range

Convenient range combines wholegrain rice with added grains for a great balance of taste and nutrition

Uncle Ben's Rice & Grains Range

Wholegrain & Quinoa (220g)
Pearl Wheat, Quinoa and Wholegrain (220g)
Wholegrain & Quinoa Tomato and Basil (220g)
5 Whole Grains (220g)
Rice Medley (220g)

Uncle Ben's has launched a new range of wholesome, great-tasting Rice & Grain varieties that are set to excite taste buds this summer. Perfect as a base for a healthy summer meal, each pack blends the goodness of wholegrain rice with added grains such as quinoa, wild rice or pearl wheat.

Rice & Grains can be prepared in just minutes in a microwave or pan and added to a healthy accompaniment such as chicken, fish, vegetables and salads. Delicious, healthy meals made easy.

Primrose's Kitchen Muesli and Nut Butters

Primrose's Kitchen Raw Beetroot & Ginger Muesli

Delicious gluten free oats with fresh beetroot and zingy ginger. Balanced with a combination of nuts and seeds as well as extra love in the form of psyllium husks and hemp seeds.

Our muesli is slowly dehydrated at low temperatures to preserve nutrients & enzymes.

Gluten free

Wheat free

No added salt

High Fibre

Natural source of lauric acid

Soya free

Source of potassium

Gold Star winner at the Great Taste awards 2013

Ingredients: Gluten free oats, raw beetroot, raw agave nectar, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, raw virgin coconut oil, almonds, linseeds, coconut pieces, ground ginger, psyllium husks & hemp seeds.

Raw Carrot, Apple & Cinnamon

Delicious gluten free oats with fresh carrot and harmonious cinnamon. Balanced with a combination of nuts and seeds as well as extra love in the form of chia seeds and psyllium husks.

Our muesli is slowly dehydrated at low temperatures to preserve nutrients & enzymes.

Gluten free

Wheat free

No added salt

High Fibre

Natural source of lauric acid

Soya free

Source of potassium

Ingredients: Gluten free oats, raw carrot, raw agave nectar, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, raw virgin coconut oil, almonds, linseeds, coconut pieces, ground cinnamon, chia seeds & psyllium husks.

Organic Raw Almond & Chia Butter

Organic Raw Almond & Chia Butter is a delicious alternative to peanut butter perfect for spreading on bread, adding to dressings or for use in baking. Almonds are our nut of choice as they are alkalising in your body, and combined with chia make the perfect high protein snack!

Ingredients: Organic Raw almonds, Organic raw chia seeds

A source of minerals such as magnesium and calcium

+ Gluten free + Wheat free + Sugar free + No added salt or oil

170g. Soil Association Approved

Ingredients: Almonds & Chia Seeds

Organic Raw Almond & Hemp Butter

Organic Raw Almond & Hemp Butter is a delicious alternative to peanut butter perfect for spreading on bread, adding to dressings or for use in baking. Almonds are our nut of choice as they are alkalising in your body, and combined with chia make the perfect high protein snack!

Ingredients: Organic Raw almonds, Organic raw hemp seeds

A source of minerals such as magnesium and calcium

+ Gluten free + Wheat free + Sugar free + No added salt or oil

170g. Soil Association Approved

Ingredients: Almonds & Hemp Seeds

Bonds of London Sweets

Bonds of London offer a range of sweets including Rhubarb and custard, Flying Saucers and Fizzy Dummies in their vegan section of the site that are all vegan friendly and very reasonably priced from just 39p each! Perfect for a little rush of energy on summer walks and picnics.

www.bonds-confectionery.com

The Coconut Collaborative

A range of healthy coconut milk yoghurts and frozen yoghurt (coconutco.co.uk)

They are delicious yoghurts and ice creams made from coconut milk which are free from dairy, soya, and gluten - and full of all the goodness of coconuts
Not only that but as you probably know the coconut fat found in the milk is super-healthy
It's full of medium -chain fatty acids that are broken down immediately for energy and not stored in the body as fat.
They are heart healthy, contain zero cholesterol and are low in sugar, as well as being packed full of minerals, vitamins, antioxidants and electrolytes
In other words, not only does it taste good, but it does good too
There are 2 co-founders, one is the founder of Gu and the other is a nutritionist

Ethos Hampers

Vegetarian and vegan restaurant near Oxford Street called Ethos makes picnic baskets to order; the vegan basket contains:

CALIFORNIAN CHICKPEA SALAD WITH CARAMELISED SHALLOTS & ROASTED PUMPKIN
BROCCOLI SALAD WITH CANDY STRIPED BEETROOT AND CRISPY LOTUS ROOT
ONE DIP & PITTA (CHOOSE DIP FROM THE DROP DOWN)
HEALTHY BLACK BEAN BROWNIE

Order must be placed before 10.30am for same day pick up in store, any orders placed after 10.30am will be ready the following day or at your desired pickup date and time.

Geobar Fruity

Geobar Fruity Cocoa & Beetroot is a raw fruit and nut wholefood bar made with Fairtrade dates, raisins, cashew nuts and cocoa, containing 65% fruit. Accounting for 1 of your 5 a day. Perfect for your lunchbox.

Geobar Fruity Carrot & Stem Ginger is made with Fairtrade dates, raisins, cashews and ground ginger, and contains 68% fruit. Accounting for 1 of your 5 a day.

Join us in joyful snacking! The new Geobars are available to purchase now in 195 of the larger Tesco stores and online at our Traidcraft shop.

Yushoi Snapea Rice Sticks

Yushoi Snapea rice sticks are the new snack made from green peas. The products are available in four flavours; Lightly Salted, Sweet Chilli and Lemon, Soy and Balsamic Vinegar and Smoked Salt and Szechuan Pepper and are all suitable for vegans and vegetarians. They are also free from dairy and nuts and high in fibre and a source of protein.

The product is available in a range of pack formats and price points including 21g single serve from MRRP 55p, 6 x 21g multipacks from MRRP £1.99 and 105g sharing bags from MRRP £1.99.

Encona Chilli Sauces

Encona have now introduced two new flavours: Thai Sweet Mild Chilli Sauce AND .... Peruvian Amarillo Chilli Sauce. For those adventurous chefs out there, each sauce can be enjoyed in a variety of ways: with grilled vegetables, in stir-fries, drizzled over salads, used as a marinade or even as a dipping sauce. Both sauces are suitable for vegans and gluten free.

Quinola Mothergrain Express range

Quinola are great tasting Award winning Quinoa products - 100% Organic, 100% Gluten Free, 100% Natural - making them the best start for a tasty & healthy lifestyle. There's so many health benefits for eating quinoa but a lot of people struggle to cook it properly. Quinola Mothergrain are the only brand which offers an Express version which is precooked - so ready to eat cold, or just a few minutes in the microwave to heat up.

Quinola's Express range comes in four different flavours including- spicy mexican, split peas, pearl & black and pearl & red- that I would love for you to sample if you are interested!

Macsween Vegetarian Haggis

Macsween, the Edinburgh based, family owned haggis producer. As well as producing traditional haggis, they have also been making a vegetarian version for over 30 years, which is approved by the vegetarian society and vegan friendly too.

It is a crumbly combination of fresh vegetables, pulses, locally milled oats, spices, sunflower and pumpkin seeds which is enjoyed by meat-eaters, vegetarians and vegans alike. It accounts for 1 in 4 of the products that Macsween sells.

Lizi's Organic Granola

A perfect product for vegans to get great levels of slow releasing energy.

Lizi's is the only cereal where the Glycaemic Load (GL) of a serving is measured - so you are assured of a healthy, high-fiber breakfast with slow energy release.

This means a gradual release of good carbs to maintain healthy blood sugar levels to keep you fuller for longer, stopping the urge for a quick 'sugar fix'. And being totally organic, it's great for vegan eating!

Available from Waitrose, Sainsbury's, Tesco, Asda, Whole Foods, Co-op, Booths and all good health stores.

Almond Breeze

Earlier this year, Blue Diamond expanded its almond milk range with the launch of Almond Breeze® Reduced Sugar, a delicious dairy free milk alternative with all the natural goodness of almonds, and the first of its kind in the UK in terms of reduced sugar. Almond Breeze® Reduced Sugar is available to buy in Waitrose (ambient RRP £1.49) and Tesco (chilled RRP £1.59). Blue Diamond's Almond Breeze® range also includes Almond Breeze® Original and Almond Breeze® Unsweetened.

Chippa Condiments

The Chippa condiments are gluten and dairy free so super Vegan friendly and great for BBQ season!

Available in: May-O, Tomato Sauce, Brown Sauce, Salad Cream, Sweet Chilli, Worcestershire Sauce and BBQ Sauce

RRP: From £1.29

Stockists: Sainsbury's

Doisy & Dam

Doisy & Dam (www.doisyanddam.com) - vegan superfood dark chocolate - one of the Founders, Ed Smith, just went vegan for lent as a wee test of his resolve and an experiment in eating differently, so would have a unique insight to add

Sibberi

Sibberi (www.sibberi.com) - birch sap from the forests of Eastern Europe which makes an unusual and nutritious drink!

Jealous Sweets

Jealous Sweets (www.thejealouslife.com) - best friends who created vegan sweets after not being able to find gummies to gift to a veggie girlfriend - they're stocked in hotels worldwide and loved by chefs like Jamie Oliver

Lushice

Lushice (www.lushicesorbet.com) - vegan cocktail sorbets created after making them for friends and realising that she'd dreamt up something irresistible

Emily Fruit Crisps

Emily Fruit Crisps (www.emilyfruitcrisps.co.uk) - vegan, all natural fruit crisps which are perfect for snacking, as a delicious topping for yoghurt or as an inspirational ingredient in all sorts of home baking

Freedom Brewery Beers

Freedom Brewery is a Staffordshire based brewery whose range of craft lager are certified by the Vegan Society as suitable for vegetarians and vegans.

www.freedombrewery.com

Beond Bars

Beond Organic Snack Bars are up-and-coming completely natural, raw and organic ingredients. Their vast range of flavours and sizes (15g and 35g) make it easy to see why they are the winner of Best New Organic Food Product in 2012 at the Natural and Organic Awards. Beond bars haven't been heated during the making process, keeping all their natural sources of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals.

The bite size bar (15g) makes for easier digestion and is adaptable to ANY diet as they are soya free, dairy free and gluten free.

This handy bar is also ideal for busy mum's on-the-go and is handbag and pocket-friendly. They're perfect for the kids as a healthy after-school snack to help keep their tummies happy until dinner time.

Beond bars being one of your five a day make them the perfect nutritious snack to increase your intake of goodness and help take on the unpredictable Autumn weather.

The Ginger Party Range