The Good Bean Review & Giveaway

Snacking seems to be a reoccurring theme recently around here...wonder why? Maybe it's because I am dieting and needing to "graze" between meals or maybe, it's just because I like to snack? Hee hee. Whatever the reason, I am a fan of eating anything crunchy, sweet and salty but not always in that order. ;) Are you aware of just how good chickpeas are for you? I didn't realize it until recently when I was pregnant with my Isaac. They are packed with protein and are good on so many different foods. I love to add them to my salads mostly and since I have been dieting, chickpeas are a regular occurrence at most of my meals.

While perusing the Internet the other day I was very excited to come across a company that makes chickpea snacks!! I never knew there was such a thing but my oh my-I was VERY happy to find them! The Good Bean is a company that not only makes Roasted Chickpea Snacks but they also make Fruit & No Nut Bars! Before I continue, here is a bit more about this company...

The Good Bean launched in September 2010 with a line of first-to-market All-Natural Roasted Chickpea Snacks in 4 flavors. They’re an excellent alternative to standard snacks such as chips, nuts, pretzels and popcorn – gluten-free, nut-free, high protein, high fiber, and low fat. In February 2012 we launched a second product line, The Good Bean Fruit & No-Nut Bar, a line of wholesome snack bars for the extremely popular fruit & nut bar category. We replaced the nuts with high-fiber, high-protein chickpeas for a bar that has 40-60% less fat than the competition. Like our chickpea snacks, our bars are a unique alternative in the category due to their health benefits, and also contain Fair-Trade and clean-processed ingredients.

Not only do I share my reviews with all of you but I also share my reviews with family and friends who do not regularly read here. I am always excited to find companies that offer gluten-free snacks because I have some friends who are on gluten-free diets and are constantly looking for snacks that they can eat without jeopardizing their health. Today's company is definitely one I am going to be sharing with them because they are definitely gluten-free AND nut-free! I guess you could also say that they are a "no junk" type of company. :)

So, for this review I was sent 4 bags of Roasted Chickpea Snacks and 3 Fruit & No Nut Bars. I was very interested in tasting these snacks and bars particularly because I love chickpeas and wanted to know how they tasted in this form. The flavors I was sent were: Sweet Cinnamon, Smoky Chili & Lime, Sea Salt and Cracked Pepper. For the Fruit & No Nut Bars I received Apricot Coconut!, Fruit & Seeds Trail Mix! and Chocolate Berry!

The Sweet Cinnamon Roasted Chickpeas were the first flavor that I tried and these are sooo good! You can hardly tell that you are eating a chickpea. Seriously, these are sweet, crunchy and super filling too. I love how they are such a great alternative to eating sugary snacks and are also really satisfying. 

The Smoky Chili & Lime were really spicy...a bit too spicy for me though. I do like hot foods, just not that hot. HA HA! They were pretty intense for me but for the person who loves spicy foods? Perfect! As you can see in the above collage, The Good Bean really seasons these little morsels well...when you take one you get a mouthful of flavor...seriously! My other favorite flavor was the Sea Salt. They too were very yummy and contain just the right amount of salt for me. One thing I think I would improve about the packaging is to make the bags resealable. That way, you could snack and then re-close the bag easily. Other than that, I loved these chickpea snacks!!

As far as the Fruit & No Nut Bars, I am LOVING them! My favorite is (of course) the Chocolate Berry! These bars are truly a wholesome and filling snack for any time of the day. If you need a bit of energy to get through your afternoon, one of these would suffice. 

These bars are full of chickpeas and other ingredients, all mixed together and packaged in just the right size bar for you! I would love to have these on hand for car rides for my children as they would give them a good amount of nutrition without filling them full of sugar. These would also be great for my diaper bag when we go on shopping trips and aren't able to get right home for a meal. For me or for my children, I love the Fruit & No Nut Bars!!

So, where can you buy The Good Bean Snacks? Well, if you visit The Good Bean online you can check out their store locator that will direct you to the store that is nearest you. Prices vary depending on which snack you buy. Also, be sure to check out The Good Bean on Facebook and also on Twitter.

So, in my opinion...The Good Bean has some awesome snacks!! I love the idea of using a chickpea for a crunchy snack...who would have thought they would be sooo tasty and nutritious? I would definitely recommend this company to anyone but beware...you will become addicted so shop accordingly. :) 

The Good Bean has offered to give away some snacks to one of you! The winner will receive Sweet Cinnamon Roasted Chickpeas, Sea Salt Roasted Chickpeas and all three flavors of the Fruit & No Nut Bars! Here are your entry options...

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclaimer: I received no monetary compensation for this post. I did receive free The Good Bean Snacks for review purposes. All quotes and stock photos are from The Good Bean website and email. Prize is being provided and shipped by the sponsor. This blog is not responsible for lost, stolen or damaged prizes. All thoughts and opinions are 100% mine.