Review of 'Natura' Organic Fortified Soy Beverage (Strawberry)

Natura -- Organic Fortified Soy Beverage (Strawberry) (vegan, gluten-free)
Overall Rating: 4.5/5
Summary: wowie, now I remember why strawberries were my favourite fruit for so many years. The strawberry flavour in this soy milk is distinct and has real depth. I made a strawberry shake with this using Vega Vanilla Performance Protein and fresh strawberries and it was great. I'm also having it with my cereal as I write this. I paired it with a very neutral cereal with subtle flavours and so the strawberry sweetness of the milk is the star. I think Natura may be my favourite brand of soy milk at the moment.

Where to buy: Bulk Barn, Freshco, Sobeys, Metro, Food Basics, Rabba Fine Foods, Foodland, Fortinos, Wal-Mart Superstore, No Frills

Coupon available from thehealthyshopper.ca (registration is totally worth it)  

Ingredients: filtered water, whole organic soymeans, organic cane sugar, organic sunflower oil and/or organic canola oil, natural strawberry flavour, calcium carbonate, natural flavours, sea salt, xanthan gum, vitamin A palmitate, riboflavin (B2), vitamin D2, vitamin B12, thiamine (B1), niacin, (B3), vitamin B6, pantothenate.

Nutrition Facts
Serving size: 1 cup
Calories: 140
Fat: 5g
     Saturated: .5g
     Trans: 0g
     Polyunsaturated: 2.5g
          Omega-6: 2g
          Omega-3: .3g
     Monounsaturated: 2g
Cholesterol: 0mg
Sodium: 100mg
Potassium: 260mg
Carbohydrate: 16g
     Fibre: 1g
     Sugars: 14g
Protein: 7g
Vitamin A: 10%
Calcium: 30%
Iron: 10%

Full nutritional profile available here.

Certified organic and GMO-free ingredients. I have no complaints, only guiltless feelings.

Moving on to the nutritionals: it does have 14g of sugar (organic cane sugar), so diabetics and weight-watchers beware. It has a good calorie count for a sweetened beverage...not like some that have calories above 180 for just 1 cup. It has good healthy fats, a really great amount of protein, and a hefty dose of calcium. I'd say, overall, this is a pretty great profile.

Check out their suggested recipes for this product: Strawberry and cranberry muffins and Strawberry-banana frosty. Both sound great. You can make the frosty into a protein shake...anything with bananas is sure to be a sweet treat.

Other 'Soy Beverage' flavours (all vegan):

• Chocolate (reviewed here)
• Original (reviewed here)
• Vanilla
• Original Light
• Unsweetened (reviewed here)
• Vanilla Light (reviewed here)
• Cappuccino

Brand:

• All products are certified organic, kosher, and vegan
• Organic, non-GMO soybeans
• Soybeans are grown in Quebec by certified organic farms
• Gluten-free