From Viral Trends to Canadian Staples
A little while back, we wrote a post about how Farm Boy (available through Voilà) might just be Canada’s answer to Trader Joe’s by being a homegrown store that captures the same kind of vibe as that U.S. favorite.
But sometimes, you’re not looking for a whole store to explore. You just want that one snack you saw on your “For You” page. You know the ones: The “grown-up” mac and cheese, the “healthy” soda, the protein cereal that somehow costs more than a casual dinner out.
This post is in the same spirit as the Farm Boy one, but instead of focusing on a single store alternative, we’re looking at a place that brings many of those viral brands together in one place: The store is Natura Market and it’s quietly become a hub for viral U.S. snacks and their Canadian counterparts.
The fun part is that you can try both and see which you like better, or just mix and match.
We browsed the digital shelves and pulled together some of the most-hyped American food trends alongside the Canadian brands giving them a run for their money. We’ve included current prices as well, though note that as always, these are subject to change. And yes, you can get them all delivered in one box.
The “Adult” Mac & Cheese
Mac & Cheese used to be just orange powder and regret. It still is, but it used to, too. (We’ll stay away from the standup comedy rip offs from here on out.) These two brands fix this a little bit by packing noodles with protein and fiber.
The US Viral Brand: Goodles
Goodles took the internet by storm, partially because it promises the taste of your childhood Kraft Dinner but with 16g of protein, and partially because it’s backed by Gal Gadot. As a founding partner, the Wonder Woman star has pushed the brand into the stratosphere, making it the “Hollywood” Mac & Cheese of choice.
The Canadian Brand: Chickapea
Chickapea reinvented the noodle entirely. While Goodles adds nutrients to wheat pasta, Chickapea pasta is made from just two ingredients: organic chickpeas and lentils. Their One Pot Peppy Parm packs 15g of protein per serving and is certified organic. It’s hearty, “toothsome,” and holds onto sauce like a dream.
Origin: Collingwood, Ontario
The Numbers:
Chickapea: ~$7.48 CAD for a 198g box.
Goodles: ~$6.99 CAD for a 170g box.
The Keto Cereal Wars
Cereal used to be a sugar bomb. Now, it’s a $15 box sugar-free of protein. But which one deserves your bowl?
The US Viral Brand: Magic Spoon
If you listen to podcasts or watch any kind of YouTube content, you know Magic Spoon. This brand is everywhere. They reinvented fruity, frosted loops to be grain-free and keto-friendly. They famously hold their crunch in milk and taste like the sugary cereals of the 90s.
The Canadian Brand: Farm Girl
Farm Girl started in a humble farm kitchen and has grown into a keto powerhouse. Founded by a chef with Michelin-star experience, their “Nutbar” and cereal recipes focus on high-quality ingredients without the chemical aftertaste some keto products have. Their “Honey O’s” and “Rainbow Hoops” are legit contenders for the breakfast crown and bring back the same memories of childhood as the US giant.
- Origin: Mississauga, Ontario
The Numbers:
Magic Spoon: ~$45.99 CAD for a 2-Pack of 198g boxes.
Farm Girl: ~$12.99 CAD for a 280g bag.
The Gut Health Soda
Soda is out. “Prebiotic sparkling tonics” are in.
The US Viral Brand: Poppi
You’ve seen the colourful cans all over TikTok and probably heard that PepsiCo has acquired this powerhouse in 2025. Poppi uses apple cider vinegar (ACV) to promise gut health benefits without the vinegar taste. It’s sweet, fruity, and has taken over social media as the “healthy” soda alternative.
The Canadian Brand: Cove
Hailing from the East Coast, Cove is Canada’s answer to the functional soda trend. Instead of ACV, they use a blend of prebiotics and probiotics (1 billion CFU per can) to support gut immunity. They are zero sugar, zero calorie, and “shelf stable,” meaning you can stock up without filling your fridge.
- Origin: Halifax, Nova Scotia
The Numbers:
Poppi: ~$4.39 CAD per 355ml can.
Cove: ~$3.46 CAD per 355ml can.
The Clean Meat Stick
Gone are the days of mystery-meat gas station Slim Jim and sadly, the amazing Macho Man advertising campaigns.
The US Viral Brand: Chomps
Chomps became a viral hit with the Whole30 and Paleo crowd. They are grass-fed beef sticks with zero sugar and no weird nitrates. They are simple, snappy, and fit in every purse or gym bag in America.
The Canadian Challenger: BUFF
You want to kick it up a notch? Heard. Try Bison. BUFF (Bison Union Fur & Feather) makes artisanal meat sticks that are 100% Canadian Bison. Unlike most sticks that are cooked, BUFF sticks are fermented and cold-smoked. Because it’s fermented rather than just cooked, you’re getting a ‘living’ snack that retains enzymes and probiotics.
- Origin: Shallow Lake, Ontario
The Numbers:
Poppi: ~$27.49 CAD for a 6-Pack of 32g sticks (~$4.66/stick).
Cove: ~$6.49 CAD per 50g stick.
The Functional Chocolate
We’ve officially moved past “guilt-free” chocolate and entered the era of chocolate that actually works for its living.
The US Viral Brand: Hu Kitchen
“Get Back to Human.” Hu (as in Human) started as a paleo restaurant and their chocolate bars, free from refined sugar, dairy, and emulsifiers, became legendary. They are the gold standard for clean, dark chocolate.
The Canadian Challenger: Mid-Day Squares
Is it a chocolate bar? A protein bar? A brownie? Mid-Day Squares is all three. This Montreal-based family business exploded onto the scene not just for their product, but for their chaotic, unfiltered social media presence which they treat like a reality show. The product backs up the noise though, it tastes like a decadent dessert but fuels you like a protein bar.
- Origin: Montreal, Quebec
The Numbers:
Hu Kitchen: ~$7.79 CAD for a 60g bar.
Mid-Day Squares: ~$30 CAD for a 12-Pack of 33g squares (~$2.50/square).
The “Better” Candy
We all want to eat the whole bag without the sugar crash. But first, let’s address the elephant in the room: Canada actually invented this category.
The Pioneer: SmartSweets
Let’s pay respects to the OG. This is the brand that started it all. Founded in Vancouver, SmartSweets kicked off the low-sugar revolution and became a global titan. While a US firm acquired a majority stake in the company in 2020 for a cool $360 million, they are still the undisputed “king of the aisle” and arguably the reason the other two exist.
- Origin: Vancouver, British Columbia
The US Viral Brand: Joyride
Formerly Project 7, this brand got a massive second wind when YouTuber Ryan Trahan came on board as a co-owner. Known for his “penny series” videos, Trahan helped pivot the brand into a low-sugar, plant-based viral hit that is challenging the SmartSweets throne.
The Canadian Next-Gen: Healthy Hippo
Meet the new local contender. Healthy Hippo is the only low-sugar candy in Canada sweetened solely with monk fruit. This means no bitter stevia aftertaste. They are carbon neutral, plant-based, and proudly women-owned. They even caught the eye of Kourtney Kardashian, landing a spot in her “Camp Poosh” welcome bags.
- Origin: Vancouver, British Columbia
The Numbers:
SmartSweets: ~$4.29 CAD for a 50g bag.
Joyride: ~$25 CAD for a 2-pack of 99g packages (~$12.50/package).
Healthy Hippo: ~$3.99 CAD for a 50g bag.
Why Shop Natura Market?
These are just a few viral comparisons, but there is plenty more to explore. For more viral snacks and trending favorites, check out the company’s own Natura Market Viral On Social Media section.
Choosing a Canadian retailer like Natura Market means profits, jobs, and taxes stay local, even if the specific snack you’re craving was made elsewhere.
Shopping Canadian doesn’t have to be an all-or-nothing exercise. Simply choosing a Canadian store like Natura Market signals that the appetite is there for domestic retailers. For more on the impact of your choices, check out our thoughts on shopping Canadian.
Natura Market
Natura Market is a Canadian online retailer specializing in healthy, specialty foods and groceries for a range of diets including gluten-free, keto, paleo, and vegan. With fast shipping and a curated selection, Natura Market delivers quality brands and fresh finds right to your door anywhere in Canada.
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