The blog by guava
Shopping smarter, reading labels, and getting more for your money, one product at a time.
Sustainable Fats Are Back: Why Beef Tallow and Ancestral Ingredients Are Trending in 2026
Beef tallow searches: up 267%. Whole Foods sales: up 96%. Organ supplements: projected to hit $2B by 2035. The ancestral fats movement isn't a fad, it's a structural shift away from ultra-processed oils toward heritage ingredients with regenerative stories. I break down the data on why sustainable fats are having a 2026 moment and what it means for CPG innovation.
Read the postValue for Money Products: How to Tell Cheap From Good
How to tell cheap from good when judging value for money products.
Sustainable Shopping App: Tools for Spending With a Conscience
Sustainable shopping app tools for spending with a conscience.
Smart Spending Apps: A Guide to What Each Type Actually Does
A guide to what each type of smart spending app actually does.
ShopSavvy App Review: Strengths, Gaps, and Better Options
ShopSavvy app review covering strengths, gaps, and better options.
Why Product Quality Matters as Much as Price (and How to Measure Both)
Why product quality matters as much as price and how to measure both.
Sale Price Alert: How to Stop Checking and Start Getting Notified
How sale price alerts stop manual checking and start notifications.
Product Wishlist App With Price Alerts: Best Options Ranked
Best product wishlist apps with price alerts, ranked.
Product Rating Scanner Apps Compared for 2026
Product rating scanner apps compared for shoppers in 2026.
Price Tracking App: How to Never Overpay Again
How a price tracking app helps you never overpay again.
Price Match Apps: Which Retailers Honor Them and Which Apps Help
Which retailers honor price match and which apps help.
Price History Tracker: How to See What a Product Really Costs
How a price history tracker shows what a product really costs.
Price Drop Tracker: Set It Once and Save Automatically
Set a price drop tracker once and save automatically.
Price Check App: Which One Is Fastest In the Aisle?
Which price check app is fastest when you are in the aisle.
Price Alert Apps: How to Get Notified the Moment a Price Drops
How price alert apps notify you the moment a price drops.
Minimalist Shopping Guide: Buy Less, Choose Better in 2026
A minimalist shopping guide to buy less and choose better in 2026.
Karma Shopping App Review: What It Does and Who It Is For
Karma shopping app review: what it does and who it is for.
Is the Guava App Free? Pricing, Perks, and What You Get
Is the Guava app free? Pricing, perks, and what you get.
In-Store Price Comparison: How to Check Prices on Your Phone
How to check in-store prices on your phone before you buy.
Ibotta vs. Honey: Which App Is Better for Everyday Shoppers?
Ibotta vs Honey: which app is better for everyday shoppers.
Ibotta Alternatives: Apps That Rival Its Grocery Cashback
Apps that rival Ibotta grocery cashback for everyday shoppers.
How to Track Prices on Amazon Without Relying on Amazon
How to track Amazon prices without relying on Amazon itself.
How to Save Money on Groceries: 15 Practical Tactics That Work in 2026
Fifteen practical tactics that work for saving money on groceries in 2026.
How to Save Money on Groceries Without Sacrificing Quality in 2026
How to save money on groceries without sacrificing quality in 2026.
How to Save Money at the Grocery Store Without Clipping Coupons
How to save money at the grocery store without clipping coupons.
How to Evaluate Product Quality Before You Buy Anything
How to evaluate product quality before you buy anything in-store or online.
How to Choose Price vs. Quality App: Why Both Numbers Matter
Why both price and quality numbers matter when choosing products.
How to Avoid Impulse Buying: A System That Works for Real-Life Shoppers
A practical system to avoid impulse buying for real-life shoppers.
How Guava Compares to Honey, Ibotta, and ShopSavvy
How Guava compares to Honey, Ibotta, and ShopSavvy for everyday shopping.
How Does the Guava App Work? A Plain-English Walkthrough
A plain-English walkthrough of how the Guava app works for shoppers.
Honey Alternatives That Do More Than Find Coupon Codes
Honey alternatives that do more than find coupon codes at checkout.
Guava App Review: What Is the Guava Score and Is It Worth Using?
What the Guava Score is and whether the Guava app is worth using.
Grocery Price Comparison Apps: Which One Saves the Most at the Register?
Which grocery price comparison apps save the most at the register.
Deal Alert App: How to Get Notified Before Sales End
How to get notified before sales end with a deal alert app.
Cashback Rewards Apps: How They Make Money and What You Actually Keep
How cashback rewards apps make money and what shoppers actually keep.
CamelCamelCamel Alternatives for Smarter Price Watching
Alternatives to CamelCamelCamel for smarter Amazon price watching.
Budget Shopping Tips: How to Spend Less Without Buying Cheap
How to spend less without settling for low-quality cheap products.
Best Product Scanner App: Features That Actually Matter
Features that actually matter when choosing a product scanner app.
Best Money-Saving Apps Right Now: A No-Fluff Comparison
A no-fluff comparison of the best money-saving apps available right now.
Best Cashback App 2026: Which One Pays Out the Most
Which cashback app pays out the most for everyday shoppers in 2026.
Best Barcode Scanner App for In-Store Shopping 2026
Best barcode scanner apps for in-store shopping decisions in 2026.
Barcode Price Scanner: How Scanning a Product Can Save You Money In-Store
How scanning a product barcode in-store can save money with price comparison.
Amazon Price History: How to See Any Product Price Over Time
Checking Amazon price history before you buy is one of the simplest ways to avoid overpaying.
· Ingredient Insights
Swicy and Sensory Maximalism: Why Sweet-Heat Is Taking Over Your Snack Aisle
Swicy isn't going anywhere. It's growing. And it's pulling sensory maximalism along with it.Consumers want food that feels alive, that surprises them, that builds in intensity, that makes them reach for another bite. Sweet-heat delivers that in a way few other flavor profiles can.
Old vs. New: Chobani and Yoplait Yogurt Comparison
· Recipes
Homemade Upgrade: Stovetop Stuffing #DUP
Stovetop’s 58/100 score reflects its processed base and high sodium. Homemade herb stuffing (score: 83) is a fiber-filled, flavor-rich upgrade that’s worth the extra 20 minutes.
From Pineapple Cakes to Dubai Chocolate: A Century of Viral Foods and the Economics Behind the Trends
· Recipes
Homemade Upgrade: Instant Ramen with Recipe
Maruchan’s 48/100 reflects its processed oils, low fiber, and salt-heavy seasoning. Homemade miso-ginger ramen (85/100) is a satisfying, whole-food upgrade that turns a snack into a meal.
· Recipes
Recipe Dive: Homemade Pop Tarts Recipe
Homemade Pop-Tarts score 14.4 points higher than store-bought versions (84.1 vs 69.7). See what's really in your breakfast pastry and get our simple recipe that eliminates all the harmful processed ingredients.
· Ingredient Insights
Ingredient Insights: The Mood-Boosting Power of Saffron
Saffron, known for its mood-boosting properties, can significantly enhance well-being by reducing stress and improving cognitive function. Incorporating saffron into your diet is easy, and partnering with Journey Foods can help you develop innovative products that leverage this powerful ingredient. Our cutting-edge AI technology streamlines ingredient discovery, ensuring your offerings align with consumer preferences while promoting health and happiness.
· Ingredient Insights
The Evolution of Food: How Modern Ingredients Then vs Now
Over the past few decades, the ingredients in many popular foods have become more processed, with modern products often containing numerous additives and artificial components compared to their simpler predecessors. This shift has significant health implications, including increased risks of metabolic syndrome and other issues linked to additives. Companies like Journey Foods are working to address these challenges by developing healthier, more natural food options using advanced technology.
· Ingredient Insights
The Evolution of Food: How Modern Ingredients Compare to the Past
Over the past few decades, the ingredients in many popular foods have become more processed, with modern products often containing numerous additives and artificial components compared to their simpler predecessors. This shift has significant health implications, including increased risks of metabolic syndrome and other issues linked to additives. Companies like Journey Foods are working to address these challenges by developing healthier, more natural food options using advanced technology.
· Ingredient Insights
The Rise of BHT Alternatives in Common Foods
Concerns about Butylated Hydroxytoluene (BHT) in the food industry, beyond consumer worries. BHT, a synthetic antioxidant, raises questions about safety and sustainability. Food scientists can consider natural antioxidants, improved packaging, high-pressure processing, and clean labeling as alternatives. Collaboration and innovation in the industry can lead to safer and more responsible food preservation methods. Stay informed with Journey Foods for valuable insights into this evolving landscape.
· News
Over 6 Million products contain Aspartame: How to replace it.
Journey Foods, a leading provider of healthy and flavorful food alternatives, offers substitutes that are both delicious and safe for consumption. Amidst the recent controversy surrounding aspartame, Journey Foods stands out for its commitment to providing nutritious options. While concerns have been raised about the potential link between aspartame and cancer, the World Health Organization and the Food and Agriculture Organization have found no reason to adjust the acceptable daily intake. By subscribing to Journey Foods, individuals can make informed choices about their dietary preferences and enjoy a healthier lifestyle.
· Ingredient Insights
The Best Alternative Natural Food Dyes
Product reformulations or new product launches are the most direct way to respond to today’s consumer requests. The U.S. actually hit an all-time high with 78% of new products launched using natural colors (2022), so the good news is some brands are listening to their consumers. As the food and drink industry continues to shift away from artificial color, natural color will continue to provide clean-label value and visual delight to many brands’ products. Product development and growth of natural food dye alternatives that can bring vibrant colors to consumer needs. From the rich red of beetroot to the golden yellow of turmeric, and the beautiful blues and greens from spirulina, explore a world of flavor and goodness. With options like matcha powder, purple sweet potatoes, and hibiscus flowers, products (and shoppers) are ready for natural bursts. It is time for the industry to say goodbye to synthetic additives and embrace the beauty and health benefits of these top 10 natural food dyes.