Ready-to-eat nutritionally balanced food compositions having superior taste systems

Abstract

The present invention relates to tasty, ready-to-eat, nutritional foods that offer an alternative to appealing but unhealthy foods. More particularly, tasty, ready-to-eat, nutritional foods that provide a balanced mix of amino acids, fat, and carbohydrates are disclosed. Processes for making, and methods of using said tasty, ready-to-eat, nutritional foods are also disclosed. The nutritious foods of the present invention are formulated and processed such that they resolve the dilemma that consumers have always been faced with—healthy eating or enjoying what they eat.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A ready-to-eat food having, at a 60% confidence level, a lower taste value greater than −6.00; a water activity of less than 0.90; and comprising, on a 30 gram basis: 
 a) at least 5 grams of amino acid source;  
 b) less than 3 grams of a digestible fat; and  
 c) a carbohydrate that provides at least about 2.5 grams of dietary fiber.  
 
     
     
         2 . A ready-to-eat food, wherein said food is a filled cracker, filled extruded snack, enrobed extruded snack, cracker, cookie, snack crisp, brownie or potato crisp having, at a 60% confidence level, a lower taste value greater than −9.00; a water activity of less than 0.90; and comprising, on a 40 gram basis: 
 a.) at least 5 grams of an amino acid source;  
 b.) less than 3 grams of a digestible fat; and  
 c.) a carbohydrate that provides at least about 2.5 grams of dietary fiber.