At 18 Rabbits we know it is important to feed the body authentic natural food that makes you feel good.

Read more about the benefits of our ingredients:

Almonds
Bing Cherries
Black Mission Figs
Cacao Nibs
Chocolate
Coconut
Cranberries (sweetened with fruit juice)
Ground Flaxseed
Hazelnuts
Oats
Pecans
Pumpkin Seeds
Sesame Seeds
Sultanas
Walnuts

Making Peace With Fat (Here’s Why You Should Do That!)

Poor little fats. They’ve been so misunderstood. But healthy fats everywhere can rejoice- for it’s 18 Rabbits to the rescue, to spread the news your body can use!

The truth is that for years, the yo-yoing facts on fats have left the public flinching at the very word without knowing the truth about why it is essential to our bodies. It’s true, not all fats are created equal, and some can be less than healthy. Saturated fats and trans fats should be eaten in moderation, as they can contribute to various problems when eaten in excess.

There are, however, also healthy fats, including polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats. Not only are these healthy, they are a necessary component of a well-rounded diet. Healthy fats are essential for brain development and the maintenance of healthy hair and skin. They also help the body to absorb vitamins and move them through the bloodstream.

Healthy fats are found in fish, seeds, nuts, and some plant foods (such as avocados).

Omega-3 fats fall into the polyunsaturated category, and you’ll get a good dose in any 18 Rabbits Veritas Granola product- thanks to the addition of some fabulous flax seed and those wonderful walnuts!

Polyunsaturated, monounsaturated, omega this and omega that… blah blah blah. Healthy fats are quite a mouthful. We’d rather have a mouth FULL of 18 Rabbits granola (and we’re sure you’d agree!)

Almonds

Excellent sources of protein, healthy fats, calcium, iron and vitamin E, almonds are tiny powerhouses of nutrition. Almonds have also gained a reputation as an anti-cancer food due to their high levels of fiber and antioxidants.

In the biblical story of Aaron’s rod, the almonds that blossomed from the rod were seen as a sign of divine approval. And we’re sure they’ll gain your approval when your taste buds behold the crunchy nuttiness they add to our Gracious Granola products!

Bing Cherries

Although there are more than 500 varieties of cherries, they can be separated into two main categories – sweet and sour. Bing cherries are one of the most common varieties and are very popular due to their large size and sweet taste. Sweet and sour cherries do differ some in nutritional benefits, but both are an excellent source of vitamin C and copper.
The succulent sweetness of Bing cherries pairs excellently with the rich taste of dark chocolate in our delectable Cheeky Cherry Chocolate granola bar; It’s a taste so luxurious you’ll swear that you’re eating dessert – just a much healthier version!

Black Mission Figs

Figs are a delectable little fruit with a chewy texture and a sweet, distinctive taste. These plump purple treats are the fruit of the ficus tree, a member of the mulberry family. They are a good source of calcium and potassium, as well as fiber; A 3.5 ounce serving of dried figs holds almost 10 grams!

18 Rabbits uses Black Mission figs, a variety with blackish purple skin and a pink flesh. We know the sweet sensation of these figs in 2 varieties of our 18 Rabbits bars will send you ‘round the mulberry bush and coming back for more!

Cacao Nibs

Cacao nibs are the kernels of the chocolate bean, produced by removing the brittle outer shell after the beans have fermented and are dried, cleaned and roasted. They retain the slightly bitter flavor of natural cocoa since they have not gone through the further processing that usually includes the addition of sugar, milk and extra cocoa butter.
Cocoa nibs contribute to our Veritas granola with the delicate presence of their chocolate taste, a perfect compliment to the granola’s honey and hazelnut flavors.

Chocolate

The history of chocolate is as rich and complex as its taste. From its significance in ancient Mayan and Aztecan cultures to the fascination it later procured all over Europe, chocolate has long been a source of international intrigue due to its legendary properties and benefits – not to mention its invigorating aroma and luscious taste!
Luckily for chocolate lovers everywhere, there are surprisingly significant benefits to this tantalizing treat. Dark chocolate is chocked full of antioxidants, compounds which neutralize cellular-damaging free radicals. Chocolate is also a source of several types of flavonoids, plant pigments noted for their anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory and anti-viral benefits.
At 18 Rabbits, we’re smart enough to know that chocolate is a language universally spoken. That’s why we’ve included chunks of quality organic dark chocolate in our Cheeky Cherry Chocolate bars - for a taste even Quetzalcoatl couldn’t resist.

Coconut

The coconut is a strange little nut- and is actually the seed of the fruit produced by the coconut palm. A thick green husk makes up the very outside of the fruit, and within that is a hairy brown shell that holds the nut ‘meat’. Coconuts, like other nuts, are relatively high in fat. The difference in the coconut, however, is that most of that fat is saturated.
The strange thing about coconut fat is this: Unlike the saturated fats found in fatty meat and butter, the kind in coconuts has proven to be extremely healthful.

Coconuts are also a great source of iron, phosphorus and magnesium.

Cranberries (sweetened with fruit juice)

Cranberries are an excellent source of manganese, copper, vitamin C and fiber. But while many fruits can boast the benefits of these vitamins, the cranberry has something else going for it as well; it is a rich source of anthocyanidins- antioxidant pigments that have been shown to inhibit the development of some degenerative diseases.
These powerful little tarts make a delightfully tangy addition to our Cheeky Cherry Chocolate granola bars, so be sure to give them a try!

Flaxseed, Ground

Flaxseed is one of the few plant sources of omega-3 fatty acid, an essential fat also found in some fish and nuts. The benefits of flaxseed have been known all over the world for centuries; Hippocrates himself recommended the use of flax to relieve abdominal pain, while Charlemagne passed laws in the 8th century requiring his subjects to consume the seed for the promotion of good health. Flaxseed is ground for consumption since this process allows for the optimal absorption of its nutrients.

Although Canada is the leading producer of this seed (right on, eh!) you’ll get a good serving right here in the good ol’ States in our 18 Rabbits granola and bars.

Hazelnuts

Native to the northeastern and midwestern United States, hazelnuts are a tad bit smaller than their larger counterparts from Europe and Asia, called filberts. Both have the same sweet, buttery taste that makes them popular for uses in all kinds of desserts.

Hazelnuts, in the typical nut tradition, are rich in a variety of nutrients and minerals such as magnesium, potassium, fiber, vitamin E, and phosphorus. Hazelnuts are chocked full of monounsaturated fat (a healthy fat!), and also contain the highest amount of folic acid found in any nut. Talk about an over-achiever!

At 18 Rabbits, we use hazelnuts from Oregon and also from Turkey, which produces 70% of the world’s crop.

Oats

Unlike the ancient Romans used to think, oats aren’t only for horses! Magnesium, selenium, phosphorus and iron are just some of the nutritional benefits of this grain. Being low on the glycemic index, oats are also a great source of slow-release energy. Oat bran (the outer layer of the grain) is also beneficial in lowering bad cholesterol because of the beta-glucan in its fiber.
Oats are the number one ingredient in 18 Rabbits granola – a real derby winner!

Pecans

Pecans hold a special place in the heart of Texans, not excluding the 18 Rabbits founder, Alison, whose culinary amour blossomed in the Lone Star state. The Texans love of the pecan is no wonder, for it is a truly versatile nut, having found its way into a vast array of foods from pies and puddings to salads and fish dishes.

The pecan comes with a benefits package that would put most employers to shame! It delivers not only delicious taste, but also heart-healthy monounsaturated fats, cholesterol-lowering plant sterols, and a super serving of vitamin B1 (17% of the recommended daily allowance in just ONE ounce).

Pumpkin Seeds

Pumpkin seeds are amazingly nutritious for a seed so small. They are a good supply of several minerals, as well as vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, protein and healthy fat! Don’t be tricked into thinking these savory seeds are only a fall-time treat, for they can (and should!) be enjoyed year round. 18 Rabbits includes pumpkin seeds in all of its concoctions – a fact which certainly gives those Jack-O-Lanterns something to smile about!

Sesame Seeds

Sesame seeds are one of the smallest seeds, which makes their nutritionally dense makeup pretty remarkable. One of the most beneficial of their qualities is their extremely high calcium content – one cup of natural unhulled sesame seeds contains close to FIVE times the amount of calcium in a cup on nonfat milk (which contains more calcium than whole milk). Sesame seeds have also been shown to stimulate blood circulation and aid digestion.
With all these benefits, we’re sure you’ll want to open your mouth to the sesame in our 18 Rabbits granola!

Sultanas

These are no ordinary raisins; they are a snack fit for a Sultan! Sultanas are dried, large, white grapes that are not artificially preserved with sulfur-dioxide. They are often compared to golden raisins but, because they are unsulfured and organic, they can be found only in Turkey. The Turkish folklore has it that these little guys were discovered when a Sultan left his grapes in the sun to flee from a tiger, giving them their name- Sultanas.

Sultanas are smaller than typical raisins but that doesn’t mean they’re not packed with nutrients! Sultanas contain vitamins B1, B2, and various other minerals that are important for growing, healthy kids. These also make them a great source of energy. Their sweet and unique flavor combined with their nutritional impacts will have you eating them and feeling like royalty.

Walnuts

These tasty little nuts are one of the few nuts that contain omega-3 fatty acids. They are also a rich source of protein and dietary fiber, as well as vitamin E, magnesium and copper. While these nuts are enjoyed across the seven continents, the state of California provides more than half the world’s supply!

The most commonly eaten walnut, the English walnut, originated around the Caspian Sea and was transported around the world by English merchant ships (hence their name). But Walnut trees date back as far as 7000 B.C. In ancient Roman times, Walnuts were even considered a food of the gods.

At 18 Rabbits, we use a variety of the English species called Chandler walnuts, chosen specifically for their smooth flavor. They are now available for the pleasure of mere mortals in all 18 Rabbits Veritas Granola products!