Abstract: The present disclosure relates to high protein, high fiber ready-to-eat food pieces, compositions including such food pieces, and methods of making such food pieces. The pieces include a plant-based protein ingredient in an amount of about 25% to about 55% by dry weight protein and an insoluble fiber ingredient contributing insoluble fiber in an amount of at least 12% by dry weight of the pieces. Food pieces can optionally contain a soluble carbohydrate ingredient in an amount of about 8% to about 30% by dry weight, where the soluble carbohydrate ingredient includes psyllium and/or a high molecular weight soluble carbohydrate.

Abstract: A low or no sugar, high protein confection is described. A confection includes a beneficial combination of soluble fiber, whey protein, glycerol and fat at an acidic pH and particular Brix range to mimic the texture and mouthfeel of caramel or cream confection. Methods of making a confection are also described.

Abstract: Compositions are described that use glucono delta lactone (GDL) in a portion of a composition containing two portions with differing water activities. GDL is included in a low water activity portion that is in contact with a high water activity portion, such that an interface formed between the two portions contains gluconic acid formed by contact of GDL with water from the high water activity portion. Methods of controlling pH in a composition containing two portions with differing water activities and methods of controlling microbial growth at an interface of two portions with differing water activities are also described.

Abstract: A shelf stable hard tortilla shell includes a type 4 resistant starch (“RS4”) ingredient, a soluble fiber, a fine corn bran, corn masa, a plant-based protein. The shelf stable tortilla shell has a net carbohydrate content of less than 25% by weight of the tortilla shell and a moisture content of about 3% to about 11% by weight of the tortilla shell. The shelf stable tortilla shell optionally includes a fold support composition, coarse corn bran, corn grits, flavorant, coloring agent, and/or oil. A method of making a shelf stable tortilla shell includes providing a dough, forming the dough into a sheet and cooking (e.g., baking and/or frying) the sheet to form a hard taco shell, tostada or chip. The method can include gelatinizing at least some of the starch in the corn masa or in the corn bran.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to high fiber-containing ready-to-eat food pieces, compositions including such food pieces, and methods of making such food pieces. The food pieces include at least 35% and up to 55% by dry weight total fiber, an insoluble fiber content of at least 28% to about 40% by dry weight, and a soluble fiber content of about 7% to about 15% by dry weight. The food pieces include bran, optionally a second insoluble fiber source, psyllium husk, and a starch ingredient, with a moisture content of up to 4% by weight. Compositions containing such high fiber food pieces and methods of making them are also described.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to oat-based peanut butter-flavored compositions and methods of making such compositions. In particular, a method is disclosed of roasting substantially intact groats until CIELAB L*-value change per minute, and CIELAB b*-value change per minute achieve a negative slope to produce roasted oats having a peanut butter flavor. Compositions including roasted oats having a peanut butter flavor are also disclosed.

Abstract: A high-fat flour replacement includes a fat, an emulsifier, a protein, a starch and a soluble fiber. In preferred embodiments, the high-fat flour replacement is a finely ground particulate “flour”. The high-fat flour replacement can have a macronutrient profile analogous to that of almond flour. A process for producing a high-fat flour replacement includes a step of forming an emulsion including a fat, water and an emulsifier and a step of combining the emulsion with a blend of dry ingredients to form a composition (e.g., using an extruder). The blend of dry ingredients includes a protein, a starch and a soluble fiber. In preferred embodiments, the composition is processed in an extruder to form an extruded material (e.g., in the form of pellets). The fat in the emulsion becomes trapped in the composition during extrusion. In preferred embodiments, the extruded material is then dried and milled/ground to form flour-sized particulates.

Abstract: A texture-controlled fiber ingredient containing a viscous soluble fiber and a non-crosslinked acid-reversible gel-forming compound is described. The ingredient can be contacted with a divalent cation solution and combined with a food ingredient or edible ingredient suitable for use in a supplement to produce a viscous fiber fortified food or fiber supplement. In some versions of a viscous fiber fortified food or fiber supplement, the viscous soluble fiber remains partially hydrated over shelf life of the food, and maintains a desirable texture over the shelf life. Some versions of a food mix or fiber supplement are in dry form.

Abstract: A low or no sugar, high protein confection is described. A confection includes a beneficial combination of soluble fiber, whey protein, glycerol and fat at an acidic pH and particular Brix range to mimic the texture and mouthfeel of caramel or cream confection. Methods of making a confection are also described.

Abstract: Compositions are described that use glucono delta lactone (GDL) in a portion of a composition containing two portions with differing water activities. GDL is included in a low water activity portion that is in contact with a high water activity portion, such that an interface formed between the two portions contains gluconic acid formed by contact of GDL with water from the high water activity portion. Methods of controlling pH in a composition containing two portions with differing water activities and methods of controlling microbial growth at an interface of two portions with differing water activities are also described.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to oat-based peanut butter-flavored compositions and methods of making such compositions. In particular, a method is disclosed of roasting substantially intact groats until CIELAB L*-value change per minute, and CIELAB b*-value change per minute achieve a negative slope to produce roasted oats having a peanut butter flavor. Compositions including roasted oats having a peanut butter flavor are also disclosed.

Abstract: A non-dairy substitute can be produced from comparatively high starch legumes, such as chickpeas and adzuki beans. In some examples, the non-dairy substitute is produced by hydrating the high starch legumes, remove excess water, and then heating the hydrated high starch legumes in the presence of water and amylase at a controlled pH to reduce the starch content of the legumes. The slurry of reduced starch content can then be filtered to remove insoluble fiber and suspended soluble fiber present in the legume slurry, producing a non-dairy “milk” that can be used in a variety of products. In different examples, the legume “milk” is cultured with the addition of bacterial cultures to form a cheese or yogurt and/or formed into a non-dairy ice cream. In any application, an acidifying ingredient such as citric acid may be added to the product. This can help reduce or eliminate residual legume flavor.

Abstract: A food composition or dough mixture and method. An alginate gel food composition or dough mixture is provided. In some embodiments, the composition includes water, alginate, and a polysaccharide textural modifier. In other embodiments, the composition further includes flour which may be present in reduced amounts compared to conventional dough-based food compositions. The composition is formed by mixing the components to form a dough mixture and contacting the dough mixture in a cation bath.

Abstract: Nutritional approaches for the control of inflammation can involve the administration of therapeutic amounts of calcium. The administration of appropriate amounts of calcium to an individual results in a reduction in inflammatory processes and markers associated with the inflammatory processes. The therapeutic amount of calcium can be selected to change a level of inflammation in the individual. The approach for reducing inflammation can comprise a step of measuring the C-reactive protein marker level and administering calcium in amounts selected to induce a change in the C-reactive protein level. The calcium can be incorporated into a product with corresponding instructions to induce a desired inflammation reduction.

Abstract: Nutritional approaches for the control of inflammation can involve the administration of therapeutic amounts of calcium. The administration of appropriate amounts of calcium to an individual results in a reduction in inflammatory processes and markers associated with the inflammatory processes. The therapeutic amount of calcium can be selected to change a level of inflammation in the individual. The approach for reducing inflammation can comprise a step of measuring the C-reactive protein marker level and administering calcium in amounts selected to induce a change in the C-reactive protein level. The calcium can be incorporated into a product with corresponding instructions to induce a desired inflammation reduction.

Abstract: The present invention is a food product intended for consumers that is both nutritionally complete and well balanced and provides beneficial hypocholesterolemic activity. The food product includes a combination of soluble fiber component selected from the group consisting of psyllium, oat flour, oat bran, barley, beta-glucan, guar gum, beet pulp and pectin and a second beneficial component selected from the group consisting of beta sitosterol, stigmasterol, campesterol, ergosterol, beta sitostanol, campestanol, stigmastanol and fatty acid derivatives thereof and/or a combination of one or more of the above to generate the health benefit.

Abstract: The temperature sensitive differential of the solubilities of isoflavones is used to separate them by heating an aqueous soy molasses feed stream. The temperature of the feed stream is increased to select an isoflavone. Then the heated feed stream is passed through an ultrafiltration membrane. The resulting permeate is cooled to crystallize the isoflavone. Or, the permeate may be put through a resin adsorption process in a liquid-chromatography column to separate out the desired isoflavone. Various processes are described for drying and recrystallizing the resulting isoflavone solids.

Abstract: The temperature sensitive differential of the solubilities of isoflavones is used to separate them by heating an aqueous soy molasses feed stream. The temperature of the feed stream is increased to select isoflavone fractions. Then the heated feed stream is passed through an ultrafiltration membrane. The resulting permeate is cooled to crystallize the isoflavone fractions. Or, the permeate may be put through a resin adsorption process in a liquid-chromatography column to separate out the desired isoflavone fractions. Various processes are described for drying and recrystallizing the resulting isoflavone solids.