Mary’s Gone Crackers are organic, kosher, non-GMO, whole grain, vegan-dairy free, wheat free, gluten free and free of hydrogenated oils and trans fats. Phew! They also contain 525 mg of omega-3 fatty acids per 1.25 oz serving, and those magical omega-3s can help lower your risk of heart disease by up to 64%.  A single-serving bag of original flavor Mary’s Gone Crackers contains 160 calories, 6 grams of fat and 3 grams of fiber (pretty healthy, in my book). They’re available in Caraway, Onion, Black Pepper and Herb and contain healthy ingredients like organic brown rice, organic quinoa, organic flax seeds and organic sesame seeds.

So here’s the big question: do they taste good?

My answer is…maybe. Here’s why I’m vacillating: plain, I find the crackers to be a bit boring. But they have a delightful crunch and a strong sesame seed flavor, so I think with a healthy dip or salsa they could be a great dipping option. The other flavors are a bit more exciting than original. Herb (which has a nice zesty flavor) is my favorite. I think maybe I’m still getting used to the taste of crackers without gluten.

Honestly, I’m a bit befuddled by the gluten-free craze that is sweeping Whole Foods and other healthy eating establishments. Gluten is the protein found in wheat, kamut, spelt, barley, rye, and other related grains (read: a lot of foods). If you have Celiac’s Disease or gluten intolerance, it’s great that there are new products available for you to enjoy. But avoiding gluten is simply not necessary for most people, and it’s not an effective way to lose weight. (For the record, products without gluten still have carbs.)

Photo: TheSkinnyPlate