The present invention relates to a method or processing technique as well
as the product achieved there from for the manufacturing of high protein,
high fiber, low carbohydrate snacks, cereals, and food items in which the
end product will demonstrate low bulk density and/or a light crunchy
texture. The product may be made up of mixtures of various sources of
proteins such as Milk protein, Whey protein, Soya protein, Meat protein
mixed with various portions of grains and hydrocolloids and processed in
such manner where the product, utilizing the incorporation of various
gasses into the plasticizing agent and then distributed within the matrix
under low or high pressure such as cooking extrusion or forming extruder
for the purpose of expanding the matrix of the food when exiting the die
and the pressure is released. During the baking process, such expansion
takes place when the gas infused plasticizer is distributed within the
dough and further expands within the dough as it is being baked. The
presence of heat further assists in the expansion of the dough by turning
water into steam within the dough and expanding the gas within the
plasticizer, thus resulting in the expansion of the food particle
resulting in final very light crunchy texture product thus achieving a
very low bulk density.