August Product Round-Up: 4 New Food & Drink Products I Tried

A dietitian’s August product roundup featuring four new food and drink finds, including protein snacks, drink mixes, coffee and fall favorites.

There’s something about August that makes me start thinking about fall, even when it’s still very much summer outside! Last month I tried several new food and drink products, ranging from convenient drink mixes to protein-packed snacks and my first pumpkin spice products of the season.

As a dietitian, I’m always interested in products that can make healthy eating a little easier without sacrificing flavor. Convenience matters, especially when you’re juggling work, family, exercise and everything else life throws at you. But I also like to look beyond the marketing and consider things like protein, fiber, added sugar, ingredients and how a product actually fits into an overall eating pattern.

Here are four products that caught my attention this month.

FAVE Organic Drink Mix

If you have kids, or simply enjoy a nostalgic drink mix yourself, check out FAVE. The brand takes classic flavors like lemonade, strawberry lemonade, fruit punch and tangy orange and gives them a simpler ingredient list.

FAVE mixes are organic, vegan, gluten-free and nut-free, and they’re made without artificial flavors, colors, dyes or preservatives. They’re also caffeine-free, making them an option for the whole family.

One thing I particularly like about drink mixes is how easy they can make hydration more appealing. FAVE recommends mixing one stick with 8–12 ounces of water, so you can adjust the intensity depending on your taste preferences. They can also be mixed into sparkling water for a fun alternative to soda.

My dietitian take: A flavorful drink can be a helpful tool for people who simply don’t enjoy drinking plain water. And when a product can make hydration more enjoyable without relying on artificial dyes and flavors, that’s a win in my book.

Zipfizz Energy Drink Mix

My other drink find this month was Zipfizz, a powdered energy drink mix that combines caffeine, electrolytes, vitamins and minerals in a convenient single-serving tube.

The original Zipfizz Energy Drink Mix contains 100 mg of naturally sourced caffeine along with electrolytes and 24 vitamins and minerals. It’s also sugar-free.

I think products like this can be particularly convenient for active people who want something portable to throw into a gym bag, work bag or suitcase. Zipfizz recommends consuming it 15–30 minutes before activity, although your individual caffeine needs and tolerance should always guide how you use caffeinated products.

One thing I always remind clients: electrolytes and caffeine serve different purposes. While a product can provide both, you don’t necessarily need an electrolyte or energy product every time you exercise. For many everyday workouts, water and regular meals are perfectly adequate.

My dietitian take: I like the convenience, especially for travel, long active days or times when you want caffeine and electrolytes in one portable product. Just remember that more caffeine isn’t necessarily better—especially if you’re sensitive to caffeine or consuming other caffeinated beverages throughout the day.

Pumpkin Spice IQBAR

And now for my first official taste of fall!

The Pumpkin Spice IQBAR is back for a limited time, and it combines pumpkin and warm cinnamon spice for a very fall-inspired protein bar. According to the brand, each bar provides 12 grams of plant protein, 8 grams of fiber and just 1 gram of sugar.

I love having convenient options like this available for busy days when a sit-down snack isn’t realistic. The combination of protein and fiber can also make a snack more satisfying than simply grabbing something that’s primarily carbohydrates.

And let’s be honest, pumpkin spice season is much more enjoyable when it involves something besides a giant sugary coffee!

My dietitian take: With 12 grams of protein and 8 grams of fiber, this is a snack I’d be comfortable recommending as part of an overall balanced eating pattern. Depending on your hunger and activity level, you could pair it with fruit, Greek yogurt or another whole-food option to make it a more substantial snack.

Pumpkin Spice IQJOE

If you’re looking for a way to bring pumpkin spice into your morning routine, the Pumpkin Spice IQJOE was another fun find this month.

IQJOE is an instant coffee made with Brazilian medium-roasted coffee and functional ingredients including magnesium L-threonate and lion’s mane extract. The brand lists 200 mg of natural caffeine per stick, along with 750 mg of magnesium L-threonate and 250 mg of concentrated lion’s mane extract.

The Pumpkin Spice variety combines the coffee flavor with earthy pumpkin and warm cinnamon spice. It’s also designed to be prepared quickly, making it a convenient option for busy mornings.

The one thing I’d pay attention to here is the caffeine. 200 mg is a fairly substantial amount of caffeine for a single serving, so I’d consider your total daily caffeine intake when deciding whether this fits into your routine.

My dietitian take: I’m always a fan of convenient coffee options, and the pumpkin spice flavor makes this one especially fun for fall. Just remember that “functional” ingredients don’t automatically make a product necessary or superior to regular coffee. Think of this as a convenient flavored coffee with additional ingredients—not something you need to consume to have a healthy diet.

My August Takeaways

This month’s products were a fun mix of convenience, protein, hydration and—of course—early fall flavors.

One thing you’ll notice about my product roundups is that I don’t necessarily look for products that are marketed as “perfect” or “healthy.” Instead, I look at how a product fits into someone’s overall diet.

A protein bar can be a convenient snack. A drink mix can make water more appealing. An energy drink can provide caffeine when you need it. And a pumpkin spice coffee can simply be something you enjoy because it’s delicious!

Food doesn’t have to be all or nothing. My favorite products are the ones that make eating well easier, more enjoyable and more realistic, without making you feel like you have to eat perfectly.

And yes, I’m officially ready for pumpkin spice season.