[IKYMI – Read Part 1 of this post and check out my Instagram reel and story highlights.]
If you’ve been following along on Instagram stories, you know I attended Expo West in Anaheim again this year. The energy, enthusiasm and innovation were back and I’m here for it. The crowds were a bit intimidating, but it was possible to find some less crowded areas and to spend time talking to some great brands.
Day 2
I started the day with a run. Then, I headed over to the show to meet Marissa to take some photos before heading in to start the day.
We headed over to the North Halls to check out Hot Products. I grabbed some fun things on the way including Chomps‘ new chicken meat stick (get 15% off on Chomps with code ERICAFINDS) and (new to me) Bar & Bar’s shampoo and conditioner bar.
I checked out UNITE’s new flavor and said hi to Clara. It’s Peanut Butter Chocolate – tasty but I prefer Baklava and Churro! We tried a very good NA wine from New Zealand by Giesen. BOLO for this one if this is a trend you follow. We then tried ChocXO’s new Dubai chocolate low sugar cup. Dubai chocolate is still big and this was tasty. I love the Lemon so I grabbed some of those! I stopped by Endangered Species for more yummy chocolate samples. Good chocolate was in abundance at the show!
We checked out Sunshine Buns – a new frozen all natural cinnamon bun. Better for you baked goods were big this year and these are really great. I saw my friends from Olyra and grabbed some of their NEXTY winning Fig Bars to try. I’m excited to try these! I grabbed a sample of Seltz effervescent vitamins (this was not as big of a trend as I expected.) I checked out new DADDL candy dates from Denmark. This was one of my fave trends at Sweets & Snacks Expo last year, so I was VERY excited to see it here.
I went over to learn about Trace Minerals. ConcenTrace® Trace Mineral Drops is America’s best-selling trace mineral supplement. Dr. Starkey demonstrated the way the minerals balance pH and replace some of the minerals that have been lost in our water and foods due to distillation of water and soil changes. I’m excited to try this and to report back to the team! I also grabbed some of their new Creatine + Electrolytes to try!
I swung back by Four Sigmatic to proclaim my love for their functional decaf coffee. They let me know that they’ve reformulated their creamers. [Get 20% off at Four Sigmatic with code ERICAFINDS or this link.] Mushroom coffees were big again this year. The tea maker Vahdam is in the game now, too! We swung by Seven Sundays and tried their new puffs and Oatcake mix. BOLO for these!
My friends from Lil Bucks are launching a buckwheat treat (like Rice Crispy treat with buckwheat). Sparking matcha drinks were having a moment and strawberry matcha was the matcha flavor of the year. I checked out this one from Narra. Plant milks were here but not as big as previous years. I tried Maizly corn milk in a cappuccino and learned that it can be used in baking. They also have a refrigerator version now, too.
I filmed my reel for Cheribundi.
I went down to Hall E to meet with Queen St. Bakery. I met Gio and team a few years back at Expo West and it’s one of my fave gluten free bread/bagel brands. This year they launched a yummy sourdough bread and rebranded. Love the new look!
I headed over to meet with ECOS. I learned that ECOS was founded in 1967 with the goal of making better for you cleaning products in 1967 – before the EPA was created. It’s a family owned company and is run by the daughter of the founder. The majority of their chemists are women! So cool. They started with laundry detergents and now have a variety of household cleaning products. The newest products coming soon are are laundry scent boosters, stain remover and a foaming multi-purpose cleanser. Stay tuned for more on these when they launch.
I enjoyed more yummy chocolates from Honey Mama’s and TCHO. BOLO for this TCHO Lemon Twist Bar. I think it’s a limited edition but if you’re a lemon fan like me, order it right away! I also grabbed Built’s new Sour Puff Bar in Green Apple (it’s covered in white chocolate.) I stopped by at Pirq and grabbed some electrolytes. [I have A LOT of electrolytes to try!]
I stopped by Wedderspoon to grab some of my favorite Manuka honey. I said hi to my friends from Rind Snacks and even got a coveted RIND MVP sweatshirt from last year’s Expo West. I grabbed some of my fave dried fruit and learned about their new partnership with Whirlybird Granola and others. Stay tuned for more. There were more candy dates from True Dates. I but these on repeat from Amazon.
I swung by Tonnino try check out their VR movie on the Costa Rican waters where they fish sustainably. I realized that we went snorkling nearby in November! I then tried their new Silver Salmon with dill, garlic and olive oil. It was so good and I love these elevated tunas and salmon for whipping up a quick meal.
I met with Lisa at Kuli Kuli to get the scoop on their five new products. Stay tuned for more on this but I will tell you that they won a NEXTY award for the Crave Reset superfood powder! All five products were very “on trend.”
I checked out some great products for running and sports. I am trying Neuro’s Energy and Focus gums and mints with caffeine, B vitamins and nootroopics. I grabbed some Nuun and DryWater electrolytes. I met up with Cameron from RNWY and grabbed some of their electrolyte mix and new Salty Carbs to try.
We grabbed some “real food” from Oggi pizza and Wow Bao and called it a day!
Day 2 Haul
Day 3
I started the day with a short run. I watched Jessica Kurnick’s keynote on my phone while I got ready. Since I follow along with her, I didn’t learn much that was new to me, but I enjoyed the Q & A and perspectives.
The third day had limited hours and closed the show this year. It was open 10 – 2 and all areas were open. I headed inside the main hall to see what I missed, then finished Hall E and ended in the North Halls.
I stopped by to chat with Diana from Undercover Snacks. They have two new quinoa crisps including a Wicked collab and will be launching boxes of the airline sized cookies! I checked out Chosen Food’s new marinades and grabbed some of their new chicken sauce to try. I swung by Skinny Dipped and checked out their new chocolates.
I tried Planet Oat’s new white chocolate raspberry creamer that’s an Emily in Paris collab. I grabbed some samples of the adorable Sunnie brand crackers. I chatted with past year faves Like Air and Better Buckwheat. I grabbed some of Like Air’s new Spicy Pickly puff corn – it’s delish!
I chatted with the team from Poshi. I’m excited for their new stuffed olives coming soon and grabbed some olives for the road! I grabbed some BFY cookies and chocolate covered wafers from Rip Van. I grabbed more pickles and olives from Freestyle Snacks. I also stopped by and grabbed some samples from The Wand. It’s supposed to ward off wine headaches. I’m down with this one!
I stopped by to visit with some of my Chicago faves! I am OBSESSED with Every Body Eat’s new gluten-free pretzel things. These are some of the best gluten-free pretzels I’ve ever tried. [Get 15% off on your online order with code ERICAFINDS15.] I grabbed some coffee protein powder from Sprout Living. I chatted with Matt from Kooshy and got the skinny on a new product launching soon. Finally, I grabbed a bar from Mush.
We stopped by Alter Eco and grabbed some samples and truffles for the road. We tried the surprisingly good non-alcoholic Guinness. We samples the newest NuGo bar in Matcha Latte. [Get 50% off on a your first variety pack order at NuGo Nutrition with this link.] I tried the new tortillas from Siete – the sourdough style was so good and unique. I will use this one for wraps for sure!
I visited with Ashley from BTR Nation and Sherif from Dar Baklava. Dar’s Snacklava line has lower sugar and higher protein than traditional baklava. I’m a huge fan. I LOVED Unreal‘s new peanut butter buttons and Joolie’s new Cherry Cola Date Sours. BOLO for both of these new products.
Mini bars were another trend – for kids and/or quick snacks. I grabbed some from Thunderbird and Jambar. I chatted with the Maeve Chocolate team and scored a Cherry Bomb bar and truffles. I grabbed some Tosi puffs and their original nut bars.
Marissa and I made it through the North Halls and called it a day.
Day 3 Haul
[IKYMI] Trends I Saw at Expo West ’26
- “IN” This Year: Protein in EVERYTHING, added FIBER (lots of “poop talk”), Women’s Health (including perimenopause and menopause – yay!), Date Candy (saw this at Sweets & Snacks and love it!) Hydration “Plus”, Non Alcoholic Cocktails (but not as much as last year), Meat Sticks (because protein), Mushroom Everything, International Flavors, Savory, Functional Beverages, Pizza and Interesting Baking Mixes, Tortilla Chips
- “OUT” This Year: Vitamin Strips/Chewables for Adults, GLP-1 Boosting (this was a surprise), Probiotic Sodas (still there but not as trendy), Nootroopics/Brain Health (still there but not like last year), Popcorn and Puffs, Jerky, Keto/sugar free, CBD, Cauliflower, Seed Oils, Avocado, Caffeinated Everything, Focus on Kids Snacks.
And just like that, it was time to go! I headed back to my SILs for the weekend and loved digging in to a bunch of my fave new finds with them.
I’ll be back with more features and giveaways soon!
Which products or trends do you want to see in more detail on the blog?
Please note: This post contains Amazon affiliate links. If you use these links, I’ll receive a small commission. Check out many of these and previous finds on my Amazon list!