Whole Foods Market is introducing Engine 2 Plant-Strong products, a new line of plant-based, minimally processed snacks, breakfast items and pantry staples. Developed in collaboration with Rip Esselstyn, author and founder of “The Engine 2 Diet,” the products will be available exclusively at Whole Foods Market stores nationwide beginning this month.
“Rip has inspired thousands of Whole Foods Market shoppers and team members to make smarter food choices as a partner in our healthy eating program,” said Errol Schweizer, global grocery coordinator at Whole Foods Market. “Engine 2 products taste great and are a healthy option for popular snacks and pantry staples.”
The products also adhere to “The Engine 2 Diet” guidelines, which means they are low in fat, contain minimal to no added sugar, never contain animal products or added oils, and aim for a one-to-one sodium-to-calories ratio per serving. The products offer consumers a simple way to incorporate more plant-based foods into their diets with primary ingredients such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, nuts and seeds.
New products under the Engine 2 Plant-Strong brand include: Rip’s Big Bowl, a whole-grain and omega-3-packed cereal available in three flavors, including Original, Banana Walnut and Triple Berry; Hummus, available in Roasted Garlic, Roasted Red Pepper and Jalapeño Cilantro flavors; Unsweetened Almond Milk, Vanilla or Original; Organic Crispbreads, available in Plain and Seeded varieties; Cantina-Style Salsa, with Roma tomatoes and fire-roasted peppers; and Organic Whole Grain Tortillas featuring Sprouted Ancient Grains or Gluten-Free Brown Rice varieties.
Rip Esselstyn, a former firefighter and son of renowned general surgeon Caldwell Esselstyn Jr., the doctor who inspired former “fast food” President Bill Clinton to adopt a plant-strong diet, created “The Engine 2 Diet” after discovering one of his fellow firefighters at the Austin, Texas, Engine 2 Station had dangerously high cholesterol levels. He has since been an ambassador of healthy living, with his second book on the topic to be released in May 2013.
Engine 2 Plant-Strong products are aligned with Whole Foods Market’s healthy eating program, Health Starts Here, which emphasizes whole, unprocessed foods that are rich in nutrients and contain healthy fats. In addition to culinary support and in-store guidance and education, the program offers hundreds of healthy recipes online, including a series of new Engine 2 Plant-Strong recipes to inspire plant-based cooking at home.
More Engine 2 Plant-Strong products are due in Whole Foods Market stores later in 2013.
