Nutritionist’s Product Review Policy

Product Reviews (Swag Policy)

As a food and nutrition expert, from time to time I will write about food products that I’ve tried and think my readers will like. Some items I buy or try while out and about, while others may be free samples. If you want me to try your product, please send me an email with some general information and a few highlights including the ingredient list and nutrition facts and I’ll let you know if I’d like to try a sample. Sending samples does not guarantee a review. If you follow up once and do not receive a request from me, I probably will not mention it in my blog.

Transparency

If I choose to include a product I accepted for free, I will disclose that in the blog post.

What a Nutritionist Wants

Hopefully, you’ve first become familiar with me and my mission before you consider sending me a sample.

Here is a cheat sheet:

• If it’s food, it must be healthy! I come across enough less-than-healthy food in this world, so I’m good on ideas in that department, thank you.
• Even though I am constantly fighting my diet cola demons, I’m not interested in trying any new artificially sweetened foods.
• Artificial food coloring – ick. Ditto on partially hydrogenated oils and artificial flavors.
• Snack bars that have no resemblance to nature – pass.
• If you send me a product that I don’t like, I may share that with my readers, too. Unicorns and glitter all the time can get a little boring, right? Right.
• I’m more likely to choose to review a product from within the United States, versus something from a far-away country, unless it’s really, really cool.
• Plain bottled water – please don’t bother.
• I’m really not into the taste of straight up soy milk or soy smoothies. Sorry.

When sending me product:

Usually, just a single package will do. This is enough for me to try, as well as test out on the three “guinea pigs” in my inner circle, my husband, baby, and babysitter. They are the ones who eat my food regularly. Plus, my pantry warrants a hard-hat as it is. If it’s a non-edible item that’s reusable like a book or pan, one of three things will happen to it: 1) I can send it back to you if you wish, just include pre-paid return postage, 2) I love it so much it will be thrown in a cabinet with the rest of my favorite stuff, 3) I already have enough of its kind, so I will offer it as a giveaway to my readers.

When sending me samples, please use the minimal amount of packaging necessary, and send it “ground” versus “air” to minimize the carbon footprint. Unless it’s perishable, then package appropriately.

When following up, one or two calls or emails will suffice. If you don’t hear back from me, it probably means I’m not interested. Or it could mean that I can’t use it at this time, but may decide to use it at a later date in a tweet, Facebook post, or a TV segment. If you’re not already signed up to receive Google alerts on your product, now is probably a good time for you to sign up for that so you know who is talking about your product.

Good luck!

Disclosure: The Kind Healthy Snacks featured in this photo, were – you guessed it – a free sample that I accepted.