In the early 2000s, Andrew Eckhardt, a Summit native, began experimenting with keto and low-carb diets during his college years to optimize his body's fuel. This pursuit eventually led him to a deeper understanding of the food industry and a desire to create healthier alternatives.
The Genesis of ThinSlim Foods
After college, Eckhardt took ownership of Linda’s Diet Delites, a grocery store dedicated to healthy alternative foods. His experience there revealed a concerning trend: many so-called diet foods were laden with additives and processed ingredients. Dismayed by this, Eckhardt began experimenting with ingredients himself, leading to the establishment of ThinSlim Foods in 2010.
For over a decade, Eckhardt has been running ThinSlim out of Princeton. His company focuses on low-carb, low-calorie products, including breads, brownies, and chips, which he claims contain 50% to 75% fewer carbs than comparable diet-aimed products. These products incorporate ingredients like almond flour and natural sweeteners.
Eckhardt states, “These kinds of products would be something I would want and would eat every day.” Although his initial target wasn't keto consumers, his products have gained popularity among them. He acknowledges the ever-changing nature of the diet and healthy lifestyle market, affirming, “We will be there, right along with it.”
Eckhardt's Motivation: A Healthier Approach
Eckhardt's entry into the food business stemmed from his dissatisfaction with the ingredients used by many manufacturers. As the owner of Linda’s Diet Delites, he sought to offer healthier options to consumers.
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Driven by a desire to provide healthier options, Eckhardt embarked on a mission to create products that aligned with his values as a health-conscious consumer. Twelve years ago, he began developing products and recipes, specifically avoiding ingredients like soy flour due to potential estrogenic effects. He also steered clear of sweeteners like Maltitol, known to cause gastric distress, opting instead for ingredients that wouldn't cause adverse side effects.
The First Creation: A Low-Carb Brownie
The first item Eckhardt developed was a low-calorie, low-carb brownie. This was a significant challenge, and even today, few companies have successfully replicated it. Following the brownie, Eckhardt experimented with new ingredients to create a line of breads.
Ingredient Focus: Sweets vs. Breads
The ingredients in ThinSlim Foods products vary depending on the product line. The "sweets" line, which includes brownies, muffins, and cloud cakes, is typically based on almond flour. Eckhardt explains that almond flour is ideal for low-carb, low-calorie sweets that don't require significant rising. Stevia is used as a sweetener, and extra virgin olive oil is used for fat.
The bread line utilizes different ingredients, such as vital wheat gluten, oat fiber, and wheat protein isolate. Eckhardt notes that low-carb breads made with coconut flour or almond flour tend to be dense and wet, with a different texture and taste profile than ThinSlim Foods' products.
The Importance of Healthy Alternatives
Eckhardt's pursuit of healthy alternatives began in college when he became focused on optimizing his diet and exercise. He experimented with keto diets before they were widely known, but he realized that it wasn't a sustainable long-term option. This led him to seek healthier options that reduced calories and carbohydrates.
Read also: Recipes for the Loma Linda Diet
His personal experience and desire to create better options drove him to design his own products. Eckhardt considered his own preferences, particularly his love for bread, and aimed to create a low-carb, high-fiber, high-protein, and relatively low-calorie bread that people could enjoy every day.
Product Range: From Bread to Sweets
ThinSlim Foods offers a diverse range of products, including breads like bagels, buns, rolls, and pizza crust. The sweets category includes brownies, cakes, cookies, muffins, and squares. The company also offers breadcrumbs, pasta, and bagel chips.
Product Development Philosophy
ThinSlim Foods focuses on developing items that complement existing meals rather than complete meal replacements. The products are designed to replace certain components of a meal, offering healthier alternatives. Eckhardt clarifies, "We never go after something that would be a meal. For instance, we’d never come out with something like a chicken alfredo dish."
Company Growth and Market Trends
Initially, ThinSlim Foods relied on traditional marketing methods, such as product sampling. While some consumers liked the products, others didn't, which is typical in the food industry. However, in the last three years, the company has experienced significant growth due to increased consumer interest in healthier foods. Eckhardt believes that many people who initially embraced keto are now seeking more sustainable dietary options, applying their knowledge to make informed food choices.
Availability and Seasonal Offerings
ThinSlim Foods has a strong direct-to-consumer relationship, with the majority of its business conducted online. Many of its products can also be found in ShopRite stores throughout New Jersey.
Read also: Is the Loma Linda Diet Effective?
The company also offers seasonal products, such as Harvest Spiced bread, which is available with nutmeg and cinnamon flavor.
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tags: #linda #diet #delites #ingredients