Apples, Spice & Everything Nice Energy Gel - Vegan, GI-Friendly, Real Food (40g)

Great question! This is probably one we get asked the most. Succinctly, energy purées are products that provide a concentrated source of energy. They are typically made from a blend of fruits and vegetables, and are designed to be easily consumed and digested.

The main differences between energy purées and energy gels lies in their consistency, composition and consumption:

Consistency: As their name implies, energy gels have a gel-like consistency. Energy purées on the other hand, have a thicker and (minimally) textured consistency, since they are made from puréed fruits, vegetables and water.

Composition: Energy gels are formulated to provide a concentrated source of high-glycemic carbohydrates, electrolytes, and sometimes caffeine. They are designed to be quickly absorbed and provide an immediate energy boost during intense exercise. Energy purees, on the other hand, are typically made from a blend of fruits, vegetables, and other ingredients. They provide a combination of carbohydrates, fiber, vitamins, and minerals. They are also easy to consume, but take longer to digest, because they are made of real-food, complex carbs. Rather than a spike and a crash, they provide a more stable stream of energy.

Consumption: Energy gels are primarily used by endurance athletes during prolonged physical activity. Energy purées are more versatile and can be used as a snack in addition to providing energy during physical activity. They are often consumed by individuals looking for a convenient and nutritious option to fuel their bodies or as a quick energy boost between meals.

Energy purées offer several benefits, including:

1. Quick and convenient source of energy: Energy purees are easy to consume, requiring minimal digestion time, making them a convenient option for on-the-go energy needs.
2. Nutritional value: Energy purees are often packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants from the fruits and vegetables used in their preparation. They can provide a range of nutrients to support overall health and well-being.
3. Enhanced performance: Energy purees can help athletes and active individuals maintain energy levels during prolonged physical activity, leading to improved endurance and performance.
4. Digestive ease: The pureed form of these products makes them easier to digest, which can be beneficial for those with sensitive stomachs or digestive issues.

Our purées are ready to eat. Simply open (rip the top or unscrew the cap) and squeeze. You don't need to mix them with anything, although feel free to do so: oatmeal, granola or ice cream work! Because they are made with water, you don't need to drink additional water in order to digest them (although water is important for hydration regardless).

Energy purées are typically consumed before or during physical activity to provide a quick and sustained source of energy. They can also be eaten afterwards, to help replenish your energy stores. They can also be consumed as a snack between meals or whenever an energy boost is needed. (Hint: they fit perfectly in a purse, and cause much less damage than a banana.)

Our purées avoid the top nine FDA allergens, but we still process in a facility that processes nuts and gluten. We follow best practices to avoid contamination, and are building out our own manufacturing to address this in the future.

Ok, that's five questions.

Organic: We use certified organic ingredients and will be pursuing certification, but are not yet certified.

Non-GMO: Certified organic ingredients are also non-GMO. We will be pursuing this certification, but are not yet certified.

Vegan: We use only vegan ingredients and will be pursuing certification, but are not yet certified.

Gluten-free: We use only gluten-free ingredients, but we manufacture in a facility that is not gluten-free. We eventually plan to manufacture in a gluten-free facility and will pursue that certification.

Kosher: Our products are Kosher, but are not certified as such.

As best as we could make them. We want our products to be safe for women to consume and so we include only real-food ingredients. Our purées avoid the top nine FDA allergens and are made with low-and moderate-glycemic organic and vegan fruits. They don't contain any artificial ingredients, flavors or colors. However, it's always important to consider individual dietary needs and any specific health conditions or allergies. We recommend always reading the ingredient label and talking to your health care provider when starting a new nutritional regime.

While we will likely include some salt in future savory flavors, our two current flavors don't include it because - honestly - we think salty fruit is gross. On the other hand, we use dates (paste or syrup) in both recipes, and dates are a great source of potassium, calcium, magnesium and phosphorus (especially when compared with alternate sweeteners). We also found that many athletes already supplement with electrolyte tablets, rendering additional sodium unnecessary.