Else Super Cereal is the only Clean Label Purity certified cereal, made with >80% Whole Food Ingredients: buckwheat, almonds and tapioca.
We all know babies are growing fast, that’s why every spoonful packed with as much nutrition as possible counts! Else Baby Super Cereal, is a great complementary feeding meal: it provides a unique nutritionally balanced combination gluten-free carbohydrates, high-quality protein, healthy fats, and 20+ essential vitamins and minerals.
The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend encouraging infants and toddlers to consume a variety of complementary foods to meet energy and nutrient needs. Infant cereal, play an important role in meeting these nutrient needs during this life stage and should be offered as a part of a diverse daily menu between 1-2 servings per day.
Else super cereal is a very good a way of almonds introduction. Potentially allergenic foods (e.g., peanuts, egg, cow milk products, tree nuts, wheat and soy) should be introduced when other complementary foods are introduced to an infant’s diet. Almond allergenicity is much lower compared to cow’s milk, which is a well-accepted protein source in infant formula.
We will soon introduce our Original Super Cereal, without any flavors or added fruits and is also made with >80% Whole Food Ingredients: buckwheat, almonds and tapioca providing nutritionally balanced gluten-free carbohydrates, high-quality protein (with all 9 essential amino acids), healthy fats, and 20+ essential vitamins and minerals for growing babies’ needs.
Else™ Toddler contains almond butter, buckwheat flour, tapioca maltodextrin, and vitamins and minerals. The toddler nutritional drink is slightly sweetened with a low amount of sugar, less than 2% - significantly less than traditional offerings. 92% of the product’s composition is made up of 3 whole plant ingredients:
Regulatory guidelines for the nutrient content of formulas and drinks designed for toddlers (1-3 years old) have not been clearly established by the US Food & Drug Administration (FDA). However, products must be manufactured in a facility that strictly follows current FDA good manufacturing principles and procedures. Manufacturers must accurately define the finished product with appropriate labeling to ensure that the nutrients declared on the label are met during the shelf life.
Most toddler formulas are powders that are easily mixed with water to provide a nutrient-rich formula.
While there are many nutritional options for toddler formulas and toddler milk, most include cow’s milk proteins or soy proteins. Until now, this posed a problem for children with cow milk and/or soy allergies. Hydrolyzed/elemental and hypoallergenic formulas are not very palatable.
With respect to the carbohydrate sources, most toddler formulas and toddler milk use lactose and extracts derived from corn (corn syrup solids or corn maltodextrin). Some formulas add prebiotic fibers, such as galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS), or fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS) to support gut health; however, these fibers belong to a family of carbohydrates known as fermentable oligo-, di-, mono-saccharides and polyols (FODMAPs) which may contribute to gassiness in some toddlers. Else™ Toddler is certified as low-FODMAP and only contains naturally occurring fibers from our main ingredients.
The oil blends found in toddler formulas and toddler milk are diverse, however, the majority use soy oil (for monounsaturated fat) and sunflower oil (to optimize essential fatty acid intakes), and coconut oil (for saturated fat). Else Nutrition has developed an alternative to standard toddler milk beverages and toddler formulas. Else™ Toddler delivers protein from a proprietary blend of almonds and buckwheat using a clean, chemical-free process. This plant-based alternative to dairy or soy-based formulas and toddler milks is made from whole food such as almond, buckwheat, tapioca. It is also free of any dairy or soy ingredients, free of any antibiotics, hormone-free, gluten-free, and non-GMO.
The 2 sources of protein in Else™ Toddler are almonds and buckwheat. The combination of both sources is high-quality plant-based protein sources that contain all the essential amino acids. Please refer to product guides for full amino acid profiles.
The best nutrition for infants is breast milk (exclusively up to 6 months and with complementary feeding from 6 months) or infant formula when exclusive breast milk is not available.
Else™ Toddler was designed to supplement the diet of toddlers ages 1-3 years.
We are developing soy-free plant-based infant formula which will be available in the next few years once the clinical study has been completed to reach FDA approval.
Just like a toddler formula, Else™ Toddler can be used daily or occasionally; with any combination of breast milk, dairy milk, or solid foods. It provides a source of complete nutrition beyond 12 months of age; however, it is not intended for sole source nutrition.
Else™ Toddler Omega contains a complete protein originating from two plants: buckwheat and almonds with the addition of amino acids carbohydrates, as well as a diverse fat profile derived from almond butter, coconut oil, and rapeseed oil. It is fortified with over 20 essential vitamins and minerals to ensure an appropriate intake of micronutrients.
We recommend using it as sole source of nutrition only under medical supervision.
Else™ Toddler Omega is based mostly on organic ingredients (Organic buckwheat flour, Organic tapioca maltodextrin, Organic coconut oil, Organic rapeseed oil, Organic sunflower oil, Organic sunflower Lecithin, Organic vanilla flavor and Organic white cane sugar). However, to create the balanced nutrition, it is fortified with ingredients such as amino acids, vitamins and minerals in total of above 5% of formulation while the USDA certified organic products must contain >95% organic ingredients. Thus, it is not certified organic.
The protein in Else™ Toddler Omega is derived from the combination of almond butter and buckwheat, with addition of free amino acids leucine, isoleucine, and lysine to provide the highest quality plant-based protein we could.
Else™ Toddler Omega contains buckwheat flour, almond butter, tapioca maltodextrin, vegetable oils (coconut and rapeseed), and enriched with vitamins and minerals. The toddler nutritional drink is slightly sweetened with minimal sugar, less than 2% - significantly less than traditional offerings.
Over 80% of the product’s composition is made up of 3 whole plant ingredients:
Buckwheat is a gluten-free plant with grain-like seeds and a source of high-quality protein (full amino acid profile - all essential amino acids) and nutritious carbohydrates. Buckwheat is also a very good source of manganese, copper, magnesium, phosphorus, and antioxidants. It is also a source of favorable prebiotic fiber for the intestinal tract.
Almond butter is a whole food alternative to protein sources, such as cow’s milk whey or casein and processed soy or pea protein. It provides good amounts of vitamins and minerals like biotin, vitamin E, copper, manganese, vitamin B2 (riboflavin), phosphorus, and magnesium. Almonds are a great source of unsaturated healthy fat as well as prebiotic fiber that may favorably alter the intestinal microbiome.
Tapioca maltodextrin, derived from the root vegetable cassava (think: yuca), is an easy-to-digest form of carbohydrate and is free of taste, smell, and flavor, made using water and all-natural enzymes.
The best nutrition for infants is breast milk (exclusively up to 6 months and with complementary feeding from 6 months) or infant formula when exclusive breast milk is not available. Else™ Toddler Omega was designed to supplement the diet of toddlers ages 1-3 years, and we encourage you to consult with your HCP regarding use under medical supervision outside this age range.
We are in the process of submitting our products for HCPCS Code approval. Until this process has been completed, our products do not fall under the nutrition category for insurance coverage. However, you may be able to get reimbursement from your HSA provider if you can share a doctor’s note and receipt with them. Please contact your HSA provider to confirm.
Else Kids is suitable for children over two years old.
Else™ Kids contains almond butter, buckwheat flour, tapioca maltodextrin, and vitamins and minerals. The toddler nutritional drink is slightly sweetened with Tapioca syrup- significantly less than traditional offerings.
95% of the product’s composition is made up of 3 whole plant ingredients:
Almond butter is a rich protein source, but also contains biotin, Vitamin E, copper, and manganese. Almonds also provide good amounts of Vitamin B2 (riboflavin), phosphorus, magnesium, and molybdenum. They are also a great source of monounsaturated fat. Almonds are a whole food alternative to protein sources like cow’s milk whey, casein, or processed soy, are highly-digestible, and have been shown to have anti-inflammatory effects. Prebiotic fiber from almonds favorably alters the intestinal microbiome.
Buckwheat is a high-quality, gluten-free plant with grain-like seeds and a source of protein (full amino acid profile - all 8 essential amino acids, making it a high-quality protein source) and nutritious carbohydrates. Buckwheat is also a very good source of manganese, copper, magnesium, phosphorus, and antioxidants. It is also a source of favorable prebiotic fiber for the intestinal tract.
Tapioca, derived from the root vegetable cassava (think: yuca) is an easy-to-digest form of carbohydrate and is free of taste, smell, and flavor, made using water and all-natural enzymes.
Natural Flavors are added to Else™ Kids using the following ingredients:
The 2 sources of protein in Else™ Kids are almonds and buckwheat. The combination of both sources is high-quality plant-based protein sources that contain all the essential amino acids.
It can replace a meal but is not designed to be a sole source of nutrition.
It may be used as desired daily, occasionally and in any combination with other food products.
Else™ Kids contains 210 kcal/serving as well as vitamins/minerals that are required for children who have increased nutrient needs for weight gain.
Else™ Kids contains 69 mg choline per serving, an essential nutrient and is involved in brain development, cellular growth and metabolism, as well as 1 g of dietary fiber per serving.
Infants, toddlers, and kids have different nutritional needs. Else™ Kids is designed for kids and is not for infants below 12 months of age.
This product contains over 20 essential vitamins and minerals, as well as complete protein, carbohydrates, and fats derived exclusively from whole food ingredients. The macronutrient distribution for each product can be found at hcp.elsenutrition.com/products.
No, our products are not intended for sole source of nutrition. Nutritional applications include supplemental oral intake or tube feeding, increased nutrient needs, intractable food intolerance, or as a nutritionally appropriate, non-soy, plant-based alternative to cow’s milk.
Our products have not yet been assigned an HCPCS Code. Please contact us directly if you have a patient who is in need of assistance with coverage so we can assist with other resources in the interim.
Our products, similar to other nutrition products, are not HSA eligible. However, you may still be able to get reimbursed through your HSA administrator. To do that, you simply need a note from a healthcare professional (on their office letterhead/prescription pad), which recommends the specific product (i.e. Else Toddler or Else Kids) for a specific health condition (e.g. dairy/soy sensitivity, additional nutrition required) along with a receipt of your purchase, and then both can be shared with your HSA administrator for reimbursement.
Yes, please refer to the individual FODMAP profiles in each product section for relevant information in prescribing a low FODMAP diet.
Our products can be used with tube feeding products at standard dilution and under general tube-feeding safety guidelines, such as from the American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition1 and the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics2.
Yes, our products are Clean Label. Clean Label is a consumer-driven movement that focuses on food and ingredient transparency. A food is considered a Clean Label if it contains only natural, familiar, and simple ingredients that are easy to recognize, understand and pronounce. This means there are no artificial ingredients or synthetic chemicals in the food. To learn more about ingredients that are not considered clean label visit Go Clean Label for a list. And check out our certification here!
Heavy metals are naturally occurring metals in the environment with high density (hence "heavy"). Plant-based products bear heavy metals in plants that come from the soil. Else products are monitored for heavy metals to ensure the level is within the allowed levels for food. Our product is also certified as Clean Label (check out our certification!), and, as part of the Clean Label’s Purity Award certification process, all heavy metals levels were analyzed and confirmed to be below the maximal allowed levels in baby food.
Our products are made with no animal-derived ingredients.
Yes, our products are Kosher and certified by OU.
No, our products do not include any growth hormones.
Baby formula is designed to mimic the nutritional composition found in breastmilk. Your baby’s first year of life is a period of rapid growth and infant formula supports this growth by providing adequate macronutrients (carbohydrates, protein, and fat) and micronutrients (vitamins and minerals). Keep in mind that by the end of your baby’s first year, s/he will likely be twice as long as and three times as heavy as they were at birth!
Infant formula is considered food, and therefore is regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The FDA has set a specific range for the macronutrients protein, fat, and carbohydrate and minimum requirement concentrations of 29 essential nutrients that must be in the formula.
Your baby will require high levels of carbohydrates and fats and some protein. These three macronutrients form the foundation of all infant formulas.
Cow milk protein has been used as the standard protein source in formulas for many years. The carbohydrate source in baby formula is generally lactose, but could also include maltodextrin, corn syrup, or sucrose.
Baby formula will typically contain a blend of several vegetable oils because these blends mimic the fatty acids found in breast milk. Fat blends in baby formula vary but may include high oleic safflower oil, soy oil, coconut oil, palm oil, or palm kernel oil.
Else’s future infant formula product will be made of plant-based ingredients, providing all nutrients, and will adhere to all regulatory requirements set by the FDA. We avoid genetically modified ingredients, as well as antibiotics, and heavy metals.
Else infant formula will be clinically studied. We are working to meet the highest safety standards required by the FDA and WHO to bring our infant formula to market.
The company started the regulatory process to achieve compliance for its infant formula (0-12 months) in the United States and Europe.
The FDA requires the submission of new infant formula notifications for every new infant formula to be marketed in the US. This notification includes data on composition (that should be according to the nutritional composition in 21 CFR 107), stability, protein efficiency study, and a clinical safety study. Since the ingredients of the Company's products are innovative and new to this industry, this process starts with the evaluation of the regulatory status of its ingredients and the gaps for approving them for infant consumption.
The full process usually takes 24-36 months.