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The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 22, 2008

Arizona All Natural Tea Powdered Iced Tea Stix

Available at major supermarkets; $2.99-$3.99 for a box of 10

The pitch: This new on-the-go powder mix is perfect for adding to a 16- or a 20-ounce bottle of water. It's convenient in weight and size, and can be tucked into your jacket pocket or easily stored in your desk.

The skinny: Fans of sugar-free tea with sweet flavors have known about Arizona iced teas for years. Their canned and bottled teas are a great alternative to carbonated diet sodas and are especially refreshing for afternoons when you're battling the Florida sunshine.

The single-serving powdered iced tea sticks accurately capture the flavors of the premade versions and are a great idea for those who want to stash a few in their office desk. The sticks are made to mix in a 16.9-ounce bottle of water, but they also work if you want to stretch to a 20-ounce bottle.

There are four Splenda-infused sugar-free flavors: green tea with ginseng, peach, pomegranate green and lemon. All are crisp tasting, and none tasted like it started in a powder form.

Fruitabu Organic Smooshed Fruit

Available at www.fruitabu.com; $3.60 for box of 6

The pitch: "All kids should have the chance to enjoy the delicious and nourishing experience of eating organic fruit."

The skinny: My son and daughter love rolled fruit treats and gummies. They're an easy, convenient and not-too-calorie-laden source of corn syrup and vitamin C. And the kids liked the premise of Fruitabu and its hip recycled paper-roll packaging.

Of course, like everything the kids try, the value of the food comes down to taste. They raved about the apple rolls. One of them liked the grape. Strawberry left them both cold.

If nutrition were the lone decider in buying a snack, Fruitabu would win hands down. Betty Crocker's mainstream Fruit Roll-Ups come in at 50 calories a roll; its top two ingredients are pears from concentrate and corn syrup. Fruitabu contains 80 calories, and its main ingredients are organic apple puree and organic apple juice concentrate.

Mary Shedden

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