KANSAS CITY — Better-for-you versions of food and beverages perceived as less than healthy are popping up in new product launches, from tots made with cauliflower and sweet potato to energy drinks made with just five organic ingredients to a cheesecake alternative dessert made without dairy or gluten.

For a healthier take on tater tots, B&G Foods, Inc. is pitching the potatoes and introducing two new varieties of Green Giant Veggie Tots: Corn and Cauliflower & Sweet Potato. Additionally, the brand is adding two new varieties to its Riced Veggies Line – Cauliflower Risotto Medley and Cauliflower with Lemon & Garlic – and expanding its Mashed Cauliflower line with a new Broccoli & Cheese variety.

Jordan Greenberg, B&G Foods, Green Giant
Jordan Greenberg, vice-president and general manager of Green Giant

“Last fall, we were blown away by the immediate success and level of consumer demand for Green Giant Riced Veggies, Green Giant Veggie Tots and Green Giant Mashed Cauliflower,” said Jordan Greenberg, vice-president and general manager of Green Giant. “We’ve put a lot of consideration into the varieties we are introducing to expand the line and cannot wait for consumers to try our new items. Whether consumers are using the new Green Giant Cauliflower with Lemon & Garlic Riced Veggies as a meal ingredient or popping the new Green Giant Veggie Tots into the oven as a quick after school snack, there’s truly something to please everyone.”

PepsiCo, Inc. is opting for organic and simple ingredients to offer a better-for-you energy drink. The company’s new Amp Energy Organic beverages are USDA certified organic and made with just five ingredients: organic cane sugar, organic caffeine from green coffee beans, carbonated water, citric acid and natural flavors. Available exclusively at 7-Eleven stores, Amp Energy Organic comes in citrus, pineapple coconut, grape and tropical Burst flavors.

Justin Schwarz, PepsiCo
Justin Schwarz, brand marketing director of flavors and energy for PepsiCo

“Amp Energy Organic is the culmination of a multi-year work stream to better meet the emerging needs and desires of an evolving energy consumer,” said Justin Schwarz, brand marketing director of flavors and energy for PepsiCo. “With this exciting new introduction, we will provide consumers with an alternative to obtain the energy they need through the organic ingredients we know they want. Amp Energy Organic is for everyone who at times needs that extra boost to find success in their everyday endeavors, and we want to provide the best possible ingredients to fuel them.”

Daiya Foods is debuting a new dairy-free dessert for fall as an alternative to the traditional cheesecake. The company’s new Pumpkin Spice Cheezecake features spices including cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg blended into its “cheezecake” filling, which is made with creamed coconut. The dessert also features a gluten-free crust made from tapioca starch, brown rice flour and white whole grain sorghum flour.

Click to view a slideshow of new products.