The Healthiest Products from Heinen’s International Foods Aisle

The following article was written by Heinen’s Chief Dietitian, Melanie Jatsek RD, LD.

Have you explored the International Foods aisle at Heinen’s? If not, you may want make a special pit stop during your next visit because hidden inside many of these products is a world of functional foods (Fx™ Pillar 6) offering benefits above and beyond basic nutrition—I’m talking probiotics and natural plant chemicals to help elevate your health.

Check out five Fx-approved International Foods at Heinen’s and have your grocery list handy so you can grab one or two the next time you shop. Don’t worry, I offer meal ideas and recipe inspiration to make using these new items equally easy and delicious!

Heinen’s Organic Unsweetened Coconut Milk

Coconut milk is a popular staple in Thai, Indian, Latin American and Caribbean cuisine. It’s made by the pressing of raw, grated coconut meat, which is then mixed with water.

An ideal alternative to cow’s milk, coconut milk is rich in a healthy type of saturated fat called medium chain triglycerides (MCTs). MCTs are quickly absorbed by the body and metabolized as fuel, instead of being stored as fat. They can also help support your gut health, mood, digestion, heart health and energy level.

Here are three everyday ways to use Heinen’s organic unsweetened coconut milk in your kitchen:

• Swap over-sugared lattes for this Carrot Cake Latte.
• Replace traditional mashed potatoes with this creamy dreamy Vegan Roasted Garlic Mashed Cauliflower dish.
• Turn up the fullness factor of soups and stews with canned coconut milk, like this colorful Black Bean Butternut Squash Stew.

Yai’s Thai Red or Yellow Thai Coconut Curry

A satisfying coconut cream, lemongrass and red bell pepper sauce brimming with warming spices like turmeric, curry and red Thai chilis, Yai’s Thai coconut curries will take your veggie dishes or stir-fried meals to the next level. I like to drizzle it over Heinen’s spiralized zucchini.

Yai’s yellow curry carries a medium heat, while their red curry is for those who like things hot (thanks to the red Thai chilis). Both flavors are low in sodium too, with only 120 mg per serving!

Indianlife Garam Masala

Some of the most healing herbs and spices can be found in Indian cuisine. Loaded with flavor and some serious antioxidants is Indianlife’s garam masala, a spice blend used widely in north Indian cooking.

Although the blends can vary by region, Indianlife combines coriander, cumin, mustard seeds, black pepper, fennel, cardamom, cloves, bay leaves, cinnamon, ginger, mace and nutmeg to create a low sodium spice blend ideal for seasoning hot veggies, Buddha bowls, and slow cooker meals.

Heinen’s Organic Sesame Tahini

If you’ve ever enjoyed raw veggies dipped in hummus, you’re already familiar with tahini. Widely used in Mediterranean cuisine—and referred to as sesame seed butter—next to chickpeas, tahini is one of the main ingredients in authentic hummus. It’s what gives it that classic creamy texture.

My favorite way to use Heinen’s tahini is drizzled over fresh leafy green salads and grilled vegetables. You could also blend it with Heinen’s creamy natural almond butter and drizzle it over these Sweet Potato Tahini Bowls or make your own hummus. Try this 5-minute Creamy Pumpkin Hummus for a healthy dose of fiber and vitamin A. It pairs perfectly with sweet apple and pear slices.

Eden Foods Miso Paste

Miso is a traditional Japanese condiment made from fermented and aged soybeans. This thick paste from Eden Foods gives sauces, spreads, and soups an unmatched umami (savory) flavor.

The process of fermentation makes miso a rich source of probiotics, or healthy bacteria that can support improved digestion and immune health.

Four easy ways to get this condiment working for you are:

• Whisk into homemade salad dressings (1-2 Tbsp. per recipe).
• Stir 2 Tbsp. into soup or chowder recipes.
• Mix a dab with Heinen’s extra virgin olive oil and spread on fresh fish.
• Combine 1/2 tsp. of miso with 1/4 cup of Primal Kitchen avocado oil mayo and use as a spread for sandwiches.

Key Takeaway

Experimenting with international foods is like traveling abroad without having to go any further than your local Heinen’s. Let one of the above foods turn an ordinary meal into an extraordinary cuisine that you’ll crave again and again.