Kashi Review – Is It Right For You?
Just over thirty years ago the founders of Kashi decided that it was time to acknowledge that the foods that we put into our bodies could change our bodies, minds and health.
The Seven Whole Grain Mission
With that in mind they set out on the mission to create a food line that would generate not just a difference in our bodies but in the world around us. This line of thinking took them to the seven whole grains, the research on these grains showed that their combination not only allowed for advanced nutrition and protein but also allowed for a minimal impact on the planet.
This was 1984 and the start of the “Seven Grain Sesame Blend” that Kashi is originally known for. Now the company has gone beyond the original Seven Grains but the mission has not wavered or changed. Maximum health impact with minimal planet impact is still the goal in every one of Kashi’s Food lines. All of them are filled with vitamins, protein, fibers, minerals and phytonutrients. As well as being specifically chosen for their textures, taste as well as nutritional value making their products exceptionally good.
Non-GMO Project – Verified
When those of us health conscious individuals think of the Genetically Modified Organisms the hair on the back of our necks stand up. Well the founders of Kashi had the same reaction to this unnatural food source. So in February 2012 they set out their Non-GMO Project, Verified by introducing their first seven cereals that were officially non-GMO Project Verified. In April of the that same year they committed to utilizing only organic products and overtime removing all GMOs from their food lines. In February 2014 they announced, a year ahead of the estimated time, that all of their Go Lean Cereal line was Non-GMO Project Verified. They have now announced that their entire food line will be Non-GMO Project Verified by the end of the 2016 calendar year.
Enjoy Some Real Food
Kashi truly believes that food can deliver not only nutrients but fill our bodies with love not only for the amazing foods provided by the nature around us but also love for ourselves. Whether you are being warmed by Oatmeal or enjoying the sharp sweet taste of a berry the idea behind the ingredients chosen is to slow you down and appreciate the taste, the environment that provided it and the people we share our food with. Kashi has a motto, “Because we believe eating better together is better for all” this motto is evident in each of their amazing products.
What is with that Name?
This name was specifically created by the founders for very specific reasons. The name Kashi is actually a “mash up” of two words that had simple but important meaning to the founders of this amazing company. The first word being Kashruth which literally translates to pure food or Kosher and the second word being a name, Kushi the name of the founder of the American macrobiotics. So the name for the founders of the company means healthy food that was created with real nutrition.
Interestingly as the years have pasted it has been discovered that word Kashi actually has specific meanings in other languages that are actually quite fitting. In Russian Kashi means porridge, in Japanese it means energy and in Chinese it means happy, all of which apply to this wholesome nutritious brand of food line. If you think Kashi is a funny name you should know they almost ended up with the name “Graino”.
The Natura Living Library by Kashi
We have all come that point in our lives when we realize that we need to start putting our health first. Kashi is very mindful of this, so much so they have what they call the Natural Living Library by Kashi. In this library there is information for the taking on all of the important factors of a healthy life. There is even a special section in the library for kids nutrition, because let’s face it, by the time most of us realize that we need to be healthier we have kids and our nutritional needs are certainly very different. This Natural Living Library touches of the following subjects and can be found on the Kashi web page.
- Fiber
- Healthy Weight
- Heart Health
- Nutrition for Kids
- Organic
- Progressive Nutrition
- Protein
- Whole Grains
- Nutritional Educator Resource
Superfood Food Lines Offered by Kashi
Cold Cereals
GOLEAN Clusters – Vanilla Pepitas
These amazing clusters are created with crispy yellow peas, smashed red beans, popped sorghum and appetizing pepitas rolled with authentic vanilla.
- Gluten Free
- Non GMO Project Verified
- Vegan
- Multi-Source Plant Protein
- 9g protein per serving (12% Daily Value)
- 6g Fiber
Organic Promise – Sweet Potato Sunshine
This sweet potato flake cereal was the first of its kind at Kashi. It is made with wheat, sweet potato and organic rice and is seasoned with cinnamon and molasses.
- USDA Organic Certified
- Non-GMO Project Verified
- Vegan
- Premium source of Vitamin A
- Eastern North Carolina is the source of the Sweet Potatoes.
Organic Promise – Sprouted Grains
Sprouted grains are an amazing source of fiber and essential minerals which is why the following sprouted grains are utilized to make this multigrain cereal.
- Wheat
- Barley
- Oats
- Spelt
- Amaranth
These sprouted grains with the perfect balance of natural sweetness offered by organic dried cane make this tasty breakfast cereal.
- USDA Organic certified
- Non-GMO Project Verified
- Vegan
- 51g Whole Grains per serving
- 6g Fiber per serving
- 1g fat per serving
- 48g of recommended daily whole grains
Organic Promise – Cranberry, Spelt and Flax Granola
This Granola Cereal can be eaten on the go with or without milk. It is the perfect marriage of super seeds and whole grains fittingly sweetened with Cranberry Spelt.
- USDA Organic
- Non-GMO Project Verified
- Vegan
- 3g Fiber per serving
- 3g total fat per serving.
Organic Promise – Cocoa Coconut Kamut Khorasan Wheat Granola
Utilizing the ancient grains Kamut and Khorasan mixed with the sweetness of the cocoa and coconut make for the perfect healthy breakfast.
- USDA Organic
- Non-GMO Project Verified
- Vegan
- 3g fiber per serving
- 5g total fat per serving
Berry Fruitful Whole Wheat Biscuits
Kashi took the whole wheat biscuits for breakfast and gave them a sweet, nutritious twist by filling them with a blend of berries, apples and grapes.
- 46g Whole Grains per serving
- 6g Fiber
- 5g Fat per serving
- Sodium Free
- Vegan
- Non-GMO Project Verified
- USDA Organic Certified
Simply Maize – Organic Corn Cereal
Kashi took the corn flake and made it a superfood by utilizing organic corn and sweetening it with molasses.
- 23g Whole Grains
- Four Simple Ingredients
- Gluten Free
- Vegan
- Non-GMO Project Verified
- USDA Organic Certified
Indigo Morning – Organic Corn Cereal
Kashi puffed their organic corn flake and married it with real blackberries and blueberries to create this flavorful morning treat,
- 22g Whole Grains
- Gluten Free
- Vegan
- NON-GMO Project Verified
- USDA Organic
GOLEAN Crisp – Cinnamon Crumble Cereal
This GOLEAN Crisp is loaded with protein and fiber and a dash of cinnamon, just what your body needs to get the day started off right.
- NON-GMO Project Verified
- Vegan
- 11g Protein
- 9g Fiber
- 4g Fat
- 14g Whole Grains
GOLEAN Crisp – Toasted Berry Crumble Cereal
Another fiber and protein filled cereal but this one is sweetened with toasted berries.
- NON-GMO Project Verified
- Vegan
- 9g Protein
- 8g Fiber
- 4g Fat
- 16g Whole Grains
Heart to Heart – Warm Cinnamon Oat Cereal
Cinnamon caressed organic Os made with whole grains and shaped like hearts with a nice crunch is a great way to start your morning.
- NON-GMO Project Verified
- USDA Organic
- Support Cholesterol Health
- Promotes Healthy Blood Pressure
Strawberry Fields – Cereal Original
This tasty cereal made with organic strawberries and raspberries has the perfect name with all the right ingredients.
- 18g Whole Grains
- 5g Protein
- 3g Fiber
- 0g Fat
- Vegan
- Non-GMO Project Verified
- USDA Organic Certification
More Cold Cereals offered by Kashi
The list of cereals offered by this health conscious food line is extensive and breaking each and every cereal down would take days. So here is a list of the other cold cereals offered by Kashi everything including the original Seven Grain Mission Cereals that started it all.
All of the ingredients and nutritional values are available on the Kashi web page.
- Island Vanilla – Whole Wheat Biscuits
- GOLEAN Crunch!
- GOLEAN Crunch – Honey Almond Flax Cereal
- GO LEAN – Original
- Heart to Heart – Honey Toasted Oats
- Heart to Heart – Oat Flakes and Blueberry Clusters Cereal
- 7 Whole Grain – Honey Puffs
- Autumn Wheat – Whole Wheat Biscuits
- Cinnamon Harvest – Whole Wheat Biscuits
- 7 Whole Grain Puffed Cereal
- 7 Whole Grain Flakes
- 7 Whole Grain Nuggets
- GOLEAN – Vanilla Graham Clusters
Overnight Muesli
This is the perfect breakfast food for the person on the go that just doesn’t have the time in the morning. These amazing breakfast creations are soaked overnight in your choice of milk, Kashi prefers Coconut milk, to make the perfect meal.
Overnight Muesli, Cacao Nib Almond & Coconut
Whole grains, chia and flax along with some rolled Oats, rye and barley mixed with cacao nib, almond and coconut make a this meal in a cup the perfect breakfast on the go.
- 100% Whole Grains
- 8g Protein
- 9g Fiber
- Vegan
- USDA Organic Certified
- Non-GMO Project Verified
Overnight Muesli, Cherry Cinnamon & Cardamom
Kashi suggests organic almond milk to be paired with this mix of cinnamon, cherry and cardamom.
- 100% Whole Grains
- 7g protein
- 8g fiber
- Vegan
- USDA Organic Certified
- Non-GMO Project Verified
Overnight Muesli, Sunflower Pepita
Kashi again prefers the unsweetened organic almond milk to soak their superfood whole grains, pepita and sunflower seeds with a touch of sweet.
- 100% Whole Grains
- 8g Protein
- 8g Fiber
- Vegan
- USDA Organic
- Non-GMO Project Verified
Hot Cereal
Heart to Heart – Golden Maple Oatmeal
Oats warmed with a touch of maple make your heart happy.
- Vegan
- Support Healthy Cholesterol
- Supports Healthy Blood Pressure
Heart to Heart – Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal
Warmed oats with apple slices and a touch of cinnamon warms and makes for a happy heart.
- Healthy Cholesterol Support
- Healthy Blood Pressure Support
- Vegan
GOLEAN – Truly Vanilla
This GOLEAN hot cereal provides whole grains with a warm touch kissed with real vanilla.
- 9g Protein
- 7g Fiber
- 350 mg ALA Omega-3 Fatty Acids
GOLEAN – Hearty Honey Cinnamon
This GOLEAN hot cereal provides whole grains with a warm touch kissed with cinnamon.
- 7g Protein
- 5g Fiber
- 20g Whole Grains
Snack Bars
Much like their amazing Cold Cereal like Kashi has too many snack bars to list them all and all of their yummy goodness. Below is a list of the other snack bars created with your health in mind. A list of their ingredients and nutritional values can be found on the Kashi web page.
- Organic Blueberry Almond Chewy Bars
- Layered Granola Bars – Peanutty Dark Chocolate
- Chewy Granola Bars – Dark Mocha Almond
- Layered Granola Bars – Dark Chocolate Coconut
- Cereal Bars – Blackberry Graham
- Cereal Bars – Ripe Strawberry
- Chewy Granola Bars – Trail Mix
- Chewy Granola Bars – Honey Almond Flax
- Chewy Granola Bars – Peanut Peanut Butter
- Chewy Granola Bars – Cherry Dark Chocolate
- Crunchy Granola Bars – Roasted Almond Crunch
- Crunchy Granola Bars – Pumpkin Spice Flax
- GOLEAN Plant Power Dark Chocolate
- GOLEAN Plant Power Honey Pecan Baklava
- GOLEAN Plant Power Salted Dark Chocolate & Nuts Bar
- GOLEAN Plant Power Peanut Hemp Crunch Bar
- Dark Chocolate Pomegranate Organic Chewy Granola Bar
- Dark Chocolate Coconut Ginger Organic Chewy Granola & Seed Bar
Cookies
Chocolate Almond Butter Cookies
The original seven grains are mixed with the favor of dark chocolate, organic almonds, cocoa and creamy almond butter to make these nutritional extravagance.
- 10g Whole Grains
- 4g Fiber
- No hydrogenated oils
Oatmeal Dark Chocolate Cookie
This is a chewy dark chocolate gem combining the original 7 whole grain blend with rolled oats and dark chocolate, making it easy to feel good about this indulgence.
- 12g Whole Grains
- 4g Fiber
- No Hydrogenated oils
The Happy Trail Mix
This cookie says it all with just its name another chewy cookie again using those seven whole grains. This time though, it is all in the mix of peanuts, cranberries, raisins and sunflower seeds.
- 12g Whole Grains
- 4g Fiber
- No hydrogenated oils
The Oatmeal Raisins Flax Cookie
Made with Flax seed, raisins and walnuts combined with the 7 whole grain blend makes this health smart cookie.
- 600 mg ALA Omega-3s
- 10g Whole Grains
- 4g Fiber
- No Hydrogenated Oils
Crackers
Garlic Pesto Pita Crisps
Basil and garlic are paired with the 7 whole grain blend that Kashi is famous for to make these amazing pita crisps.
- 10g Whole Grains
- 5g Fiber
- No Hydrogenated Oils
- Vegan
Pita Crisps Original 7 Grain Sea Salt
Cracked wheat and berries combined with the 7 whole grains kissed with some sea salt will feed that craving, in a healthy way.
- 10g Whole Grains
- 5g Fiber
- No Hydrogenated Oils
- Vegan
- 3g Total Fat per serving
Original 7 Grain Crackers
Long grain brown rice, barley, sesame seeds and triticale are just a few of the superfoods combined with the 7 whole grains make the Original 7 Grain Cracker.
- 17g Whole Grain
- 3g Fiber
- 4g Protein
Zesty Fire Roasted Veggie Crackers
Roasted green and red bell peppers, carrots, onions and tomatoes are exquisitely blended with the 7 whole grains that Kashi is famous for to make these amazing snack crackers.
- No Trans Fats
- 19g Whole Grains
- Vegan
Pilaf
Kashi Pilaf provides the perfect groundwork for the healthy meal, utilizing the 7 whole grain blend that Kashi is famous for.
- 6g Protein
- 5g Fiber
- 44g Whole Grains
- Non-GMO Project Verified
- Vegan
Entrees
Kashi did not stop at Cereals and snacks that took to the next level and allowed the 7 whole grain blend to embolden these amazing Kashi Frozen Entrees. A list of their ingredients and nutritional values can be found on the Kashi web page.
- Chicken Enchilada
- Spicy Black Bean Enchilada
- Mayan Harvest Bake
- Chicken Pasta Pomodoro
- Southwest Style Chicken
- Chicken Florentine
- Lemongrass Coconut Chicken
- Pesto Pasta Primavera
- Black Bean Mango
Pizza
Roasted veggies, rich organic ingredient filled sauces and real cheese are combined with the 7 whole grains wood fired crust to make the Kashi frozen pizzas. A list of their ingredients and nutritional values can be found on the Kashi web page.
- Greek Tzatziki Single Serve Pizza
- Thin Crust Pizza Margherita
- Thin Crust Pizza – Mushroom Trio & Spinach
- Thin Crust Pizza – Roasted Vegetable
- Thin Crust Pizza – Mediterranean Pizza
Waffles
Utilizing the 7 whole grains and organically provided sweeteners the science behind their frozen entrees brings you Kashi Frozen Waffles. A list of their ingredients and nutritional values can be found on the Kashi web page.
- Cinnamon Waffles – Gluten Free
- Original Waffles – Gluten Free
- 7 Grain Waffles
- Blueberry Waffles
The thought behind the Kashi Product Line
Innovative nutrition is their approach to food
Using a plant’s first attitude, combined with the knowledge of farming both in the practice of ethical and sustainable, while considering the nutritional value of each ingredient, this is the thought process behind the Kashi food product. Each of their products is able to boast that it is not only an absolute organic food but that there is a food doctrine at work in its creation.
Kashi products can be found on most of your food store shelves but if you are a internet shopper you can find these amazing products on Amazon, Walmart.com, Diapers.com, Drugstore.com and Soap.com.