Earth Balance Vegan Puffs Aged White Cheddar
Why It Scored This Way
A mixed nutrition profile and more processed formulation give this product some useful qualities, but also meaningful limitations.
- Saturated Fat
- Added Sugar
- Sodium
- Protein
Verdict
Earth Balance Vegan Puffs are a savory, corn-based puffed snack with an aged white cheddar flavor. Its main strength is the absence of saturated fat, while its main tradeoff is a heavily formulated ingredient profile. Overall, it serves as a light, flavor-forward alternative to traditional cheese puffs.
How to Use This
Best included occasionally, a few times per month, within a balanced diet and in controlled portions. Pair it with a side of fresh veggie sticks and a vegan dip for a simple snack plate.
Nutrition Overview
The profile is characterized by a lack of saturated fat and added sugars, though it provides minimal fiber and protein per serving.
Nutrition Facts
| Nutrient | Amount | % Daily Value |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 120 | Per serving |
| Total Fat | 4.5g | 6% |
| Saturated Fat | 0g | 0% |
| Trans Fat | 0g | — |
| Sodium | 180mg | 8% |
| Total Carbs | 18g | 7% |
| Dietary Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Added Sugars | 0g | 0% |
| Protein | 2g | — |
| Vitamin D | 0mcg | 0% |
| Calcium | 0mg | 0% |
| Iron | 0mg | 0% |
| Potassium | 0mg | 0% |
Ingredient Analysis
The puffs are built from cornmeal and navy bean powder, but the formulation relies on refined starches and synthetic flavors to achieve the cheddar taste. These additives, along with maltodextrins, shift the product away from a whole-food base.
Ingredients
CORNMEAL*, NAVY BEAN POWDER, SUNFLOWER AND/OR CANOLA OIL, TAPIOCA MALTODEXTRIN, SALT, CORN MALTODEXTRIN, ONION POWDER, SUGAR, GARLIC POWDER, LACTIC ACID, NATURAL FLAVOR, YEAST EXTRACT. [*NON-GMO]
