Adaptogenic trail mix restores physical and spiritual health with herbs and superfoods

30 Jun 2021 --- Toodaloo is a new US snack brand launching a line of plant-based adaptogenic trail mixes. Arriving in five varieties, each trail mix is infused with herbs and superfoods that target restoration and energy, as well as skin, gut and mental health. 

According to Toodaloo founder and chief creative officer Cattie Khoury, the company was founded on the belief that the way ingredients are grown directly affects the physical and spiritual health of the body and the planet. 

“When food is grown organically or even regeneratively, we support and restore earthly systems back to the way they were intended to operate, where everything works and thrives in unison,” Khoury tells NutritionInsight.

“These practices produce more nutritious food, sequester carbon dioxide, support biodiversity and connect us all to our environment.”

The launch begins in the US, with international expansion plans following soon.

Toodaloo’s five snack varieties combine adaptogens and superfoods to support the body’s natural ability to balance itself.Popular adaptogens
Toodaloo’s vegan trail mixes are free from GMO, gluten, dairy and grain. They also do not contain processed sugars, refined canola or palm oil.

 “I wanted each flavor to support a function in the body, so first I grouped together herbs that would support skin health, gut health and relaxation,” Khoury explains. She then matched their flavor profiles to superfoods. The offerings are: 

• Turning Heads: Cacao blend of almonds, cashews, coconut chips and blueberries coated in an adaptogenic tonic of hibiscus flower, sea buckthorn, white rose and goji berry to support skin health and holistic balance.
• Slow Your Roll: A maple brittle with cashews, walnuts, coconut chips, mulberries and cashew butter. It is infused with ashwagandha, reishi and mucuna to support relaxation.
• Deja Brew: Coffee blend with raw walnuts, cashews, pecans, pumpkin seeds, cacao nibs, fair-trade coffee beans and dates, with maca and lion’s mane to support mental focus and energy flow.
• Hot To Trot: Citrus blend of cashews, almonds, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, chickpeas, pineapple, apples, golden berries, sultana raisins and chilies seasoned with turmeric, jalapeño, cayenne and ginger to support gut health.
• Smoke Show: BBQ mix of almonds, walnuts, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, roasted chickpeas, lemon peel, chilies, cumin and smoky spices infused with chaga and cordyceps mushrooms to support a feisty mood.

The brand invests in regenerative agriculture to produce more nutritious food while reversing climate change.Supporting regenerative farming
In partnership with the Rodale Institute, a US-based organic agriculture non-profit, Toodaloo converts 100 sq ft of polluted farmland to regenerative agriculture with each order of trail mix sold. 

Rodale Institute provides services to farmers transitioning their farms into a regenerative practice. To further reduce the brand’s environmental impact, Toodaloo also uses plastic-neutral packaging. 

Innova Market Insights’ leading F&B trend this year, “Transparency Triumphs,” spotlights how transparency is increasing to meet evolving ethical and environmental benchmarks. The market researcher notes that six in ten global consumers are interested in learning more about where foods come from.

More snack-intentional
Since the pandemic hit, consumers have become “more aware and intentional” about what we put into our bodies, says Khoury. 

“Adaptogens have become particularly trendy because so many people are looking for natural ways to support the healing of stress and anxiety.”

Innova Market Insights data reveals 44 percent of global consumers report they have taken action to improve their mental health and emotional well-being. Another 32 percent have invested in spiritual time.

About four in five product launches with adaptogens are found in the sports nutrition and supplement categories (Global, 2020). Beyond stress reduction, recent launches with adaptogens offer improved energy, focus and immunity benefits.

Saying “toodaloo” to artificial colors and cheaper, inflammatory ingredients, Khoury’s brand ultimately aims to relieve consumers’ guilt when eating snacks that hurt human and planetary health.

By Anni Schleicher