OLIVES AND PICKLES
Almost every bottle of olives or pickes you pick up in the store will have added sugar and preservatives. Even the innocent-sounding "citric acid" is a source of hidden MSG. If you look carefully though, there are a wide variety of non-perishables that do not have hidden MSG, sugar or other additives - here are some to look out for!
Acropolis Organic Blonde Olives
Ingredients: BLONDE OLIVES*, WATER, SEA SALT, VINEGAR*. *ORGANIC
Acropolis Organics produces several varieties of olives that are Before Natural and delicious. Our daughter loves these and they are way less messy (and cheaper!) than the ones that are packed in olive oil.
Lindsay Naturals Green Ripe Olives
Ingredients: RIPE OLIVES, WATER AND SEA SALT.
These green olives are awesome - delicious and so convenient. Sometimes they look a little bruised - which is how they should look without all the preservatives that are normally used. They're the only pitted green olives we have found that are Before Natural.
365 Everyday Value Pitted Black Olives
Ingredients: OLIVES, WATER, SALT.
I usually prefer green olives over black, but there's really no substitute for black olives in Greek salads, and I have to admit these black olives are delicious and so convenient! They also come sliced for even more convenience (athough in small cans for almost the same price).
Arz Fine Foods Green Olives
Ingredients: GREEN OLIVES, WATER, SALT, PEPPER, THYME, LEMON
Before Natural green olives flavored with thyme and lemon.
Kountry Kitchen Cupboard Garlic Dills
Ingredients: CUCUMBERS, DILL, GARLIC, WATER, VINEGAR, SALT, MAY CONTAIN ALUM.
It's almost impossible to find Before Natural pickles! These ones may contain alum, but are otherwise Before Natural. Alum is a preservative but one that we haven't had a problem with so I'm including these pickles here. If you want pickles with no preservatives, hidden MSG or added sugar, they are pretty straight-forward to make so give it a go!
Ponti Capers in Salt
Ingredients: CAPERS, SALT.
Capers can be an interesting ingredient in various recipes or a unique garnish or salad topping. Probably an acquired taste (and very strong on their own) but if you're looking for something different, try them!