How I eat Bela Sardines
© 2012 Heidi Bayer Brooklyn Allergy Mom
Four cans of Bela Sardines were recently sent to me by the company for review. I was very appreciative, since I am a fish lover, and have great memories of summers fishing for Blue Fish in the lakes of Wisconsin. I can still remember to this day how tender and fresh they were. Bela Sardines remind me of that time.
Sardines are the perfect fast food for me now that I manage many food restrictions for me and my family and in fact, I re-discovered them when I was looking for a whole food calcium supplement. Bela Sardines are gluten-free, dairy-free, wheat-free and Kosher. Some more information from the company:
Sardines are high in protein, very low in fat with little or no carbs. They are rich in omega-3 fatty acids (helps reduce the occurrence of cardiovascular disease), extremely low in contaminants such as mercury, and are a good source of vitamin D, calcium, B12, CoQ10 and protein.
Bela sardines come in four flavors, Lemon Flavored, Lightly Smoked, Lightly Smoked in Tomato Sauce, Cayenne Pepper Flavored Extra Virgin Olive Oil. The sardines are caught off of the portuguese coast by local fisherman, and locally canned within hours of the catch.
The whole sardines are very light in color, of medium firmness and although they contain the bones (this is a good thing) there are very few hard bone pieces in the mix. The flavors are nice and mild. There is only a slight fish smell to them, which is natural of course, a more fishy smell is found in some other brands. I particularly enjoyed the Sardines Lightly Smoked in Tomato Sauce, and the Cayenne Pepper Flavored Extra Virgin Oil. Again, the taste of all of the cans of sardines was mild and very pleasant and the quality control of each – full fish, beautiful color – was spot on.
Bela Sardines can be purchased at the following markets nationwide:
Whole Foods
Ordered online from:
PlumMarket.com
And purchased in Park Slope, Brooklyn:
Back to the Land
Park Slope Coop
Thank you for trying these out. I would not have been so bold since I am not a fishy kind of girl. BUT…you made these sound so lovely, I am willing to try!!!
You’re welcome, let me know what you think – they’re great on your favorite gluten-free crackers!