Anyone tried Scandinavian Crispbread?

[scorpgc]

We visited several Scandinavian countries last year, and can attest to this being a European product! Saw it in several stores in Norway and Denmark, along side of dips of sorts and fresh fish and fruit. Didn't touch the stuff there (and why should we?)

So while shopping on Netrition.com, saw this product and decided to give it a go. The product is pretty much all bran. The carb per cracker is 3; however the fiber count is also 3 which is a wonderful net "zero".

I have been storing these in the freezer and taking out a sheet / cracker or two when we have the munchies. This makes a great appetizer for our, "Happy Hour" at home. Have had this with artichoke spread, cream cheese and chives, Bruschetta and on Friday night, softened and warmed Brie Cheese! OMG that was good!

The crackers are not laden in sodium, so are pretty versatile. Would think they would even be good with a little natural peanut butter and sf jelly.

It's nice to eat something with a "crunch". A very excellent cracker!

[Zer]

Mine is bran and rye flour, 15 to a pkg, for $2, from Netrition. Works great!

[valf]

I love them, Gary. I keep them at work with peanut butter for when I just need a little something. They taste like All Bran cereal to me which I love and don't eat any more.

Idea - maybe crush a few and use cream for that good old cereal!

[scorpgc]

Exactly, Val! I was thinking the same as far as the flavor. I loved that cereal back in the day...I think it would be good with a little sweetner and some cream. I think they're versatile, which is what I need on lc.

[silversunfire]

These actually are not a Zero carb food. They are manufactured overseas. Other countries post the "net" carbs on their packages. They actually have a total of 6 carbs. So they are actually 3 "net" grams per square. sorry.

A few of us contacted the company about this.

[CarolynF]

Yes..I remember the "carb controversy"..but they do make "great cereal"..and with my
Homemade Low Carb Milk and some fruit..nommie..Thanks for the reminder..I have a bunch in my freezer, too..

[valf]

Why are ya'll freezing them? Mine have an expire date of 2011.

[Melle]

I saw these advertised, too. I was wondering about them, and will now order some. As far as the carb count, 3-grams are pretty low for me, since I usually allow myself around 45 per day.

How big are these crispbreads? If I crushed them for cereal, how many would it take? 3-grams is not much, but if they are an inch square, that would be too many carbs, even for me. I was thinking the "Low Carb Milk" recipe on one of the threads, in this forum, would be great on them.

OT, VALF...I love your avatar! Reminds me of my little girl, Scarlett O'Terrier!

[silversunfire]

2.25 x 3.5 inches....yes I just measured one!

[Melle]

Originally Posted by silversunfire

2.25 x 3.5 inches....yes I just measured one!

Man, you're fast...thanks! We've got to go to Wally World, today and I plan on stopping at the Health Food Store, on my way. I'll see if they have them. Then, I've got to place an order from Netrition, for some things that the HFS won't have, I'm sure.

[valf]

Melle - that is my little rascal Molly. She makes my husband and I laugh non-stop.

[Tish437]

Gary, thank you for telling us about this. I'm going to see if I can find it at my grocery store.

[scorpgc]

I guess I freeze them out of habit? Not really sure I guess, other than I wanted them to stay "fresh".

Carolyn, I wanted to make your milk this weekend, but couldn't find the brand you suggested. I checked Target and Safeway, but was not successful. I like a glass once in awhile, but my 19 yo son drinks it by the quart! I was going to test it out on him.

Yes, even if they are a net 3, it is still very low.

I guess what irks me is the false advertising! Wouldn't that be considered an untrue and misleading information? Liability? Hello? I looked everywhere on their website:
GG Scandinavian Bran Crispbread, dietary fibre for diabetic low calorie high fibre snack. Organic weight loss product
and cannot find any supporting documentation about the true net carb count. I visited several countries in Europe last year and did not find their labeling to include the total net carb (for the "carb" count). So that is odd to me...

Being a stickler for truth in advertising, I just called "Richard" the contact person at GG Bran Crispbread and he said the packaging will soon be changing. The guy was totally non-committal though and referred my question to, "Pat". So I just sent her an e-mail and will be happy to post her reply once received.

Thanks for the feedback!

[CarolynF]

Gary: It doesn't matter which non-fat dry milk powder you buy. Great Value is only carried by Wallie, but Carnation and Sanalac and Best Choice are fine as long as the carb count is
12 per 1/3 of a cup of the powder. This is generally the case. You probably should look for
"instant"..because it is easier to mix up. I'm sure the Carnation and other ones are instant.

Glad you are keeping these people at the Cracker Factory on their toes..

[silversunfire]

Originally Posted by scorpgc

I guess I freeze them out of habit? Not really sure I guess, other than I wanted them to stay "fresh".

Carolyn, I wanted to make your milk this weekend, but couldn't find the brand you suggested. I checked Target and Safeway, but was not successful. I like a glass once in awhile, but my 19 yo son drinks it by the quart! I was going to test it out on him.

Yes, even if they are a net 3, it is still very low.

I guess what irks me is the false advertising! Wouldn't that be considered an untrue and misleading information? Liability? Hello? I looked everywhere on their website:
GG Scandinavian Bran Crispbread, dietary fibre for diabetic low calorie high fibre snack. Organic weight loss product
and cannot find any supporting documentation about the true net carb count. I visited several countries in Europe last year and did not find their labeling to include the total net carb (for the "carb" count). So that is odd to me...
Being a stickler for truth in advertising, I just called "Richard" the contact person at GG Bran Crispbread and he said the packaging will soon be changing. The guy was totally non-committal though and referred my question to, "Pat". So I just sent her an e-mail and will be happy to post her reply once received.

Thanks for the feedback!

Since this is how they have always done it, I doubt that they would say it is net carbs. I think the US (because of the USDA) may have started listing everything on the labels.


ETA: I contacted the main company in Norway about this myself. Not sure who others contacted, if it was the company that imports them or the company that produces them like I did.

[scorpgc]

Alright, now I'm getting cranky. I sent Pat (the contact person at Crispbread) an e-mail. She replied back but the e-mail was blank! So I e-mailed her again, letting her know the e-mail was blank and a few minutes later got another e-mail from her. I don't understand her reply...and have sent her yet another e-mail asking for clarification. Here is the e-mail and her reply:

Hi Pat:

I was given your name by Richard (not sure why he did not assist me further).

In short, I have been singing the praises of the Scandinavian Bran Crisp bread and recently posted a blog about this. Not too long after, I received a couple of posts from fellow low-carbers that the nutritional analysis was mis-leading and that this product was not a "zero" net-carb product, but three carbs? I don't see this anywhere on your website, or any website that sells this product. Having been to a few Scandinavian countries last year, I did see this product and was not remotely aware of it actually being higher in carbohydrates.

Richard said that you can explain.

I appreciate your time and consideration, and look forward to your reply.

Thanks!

And here is her reply:

I'll get the importer when he returns to explain the carbs.. Thanks for asking.,Pat Claiborne-----

HUH? So yes, am waiting again for her reply. Great customer service, don't ya think?

[Tish437]

That's it?? That's all she said??

[valf]

LOL! That's why I give all business possible to the companies with excellent customer service. I bet Tom at Netrition would respond faster and completely.

[Nigel]

I haven't tried this kind of crispbread, but I did find some kind of Rye crispbread in the grocery store and it's great and about 3 carbs per piece. I like it with homemade pimento cheese for a snack or it's great to use in meatloaf or anywhere you use cracker crumbs. The rye flavor is very light.
I don't have the package anymore and I can't recall the brand, but I'll check the next time I go shopping.

[scorpgc]

I totally agree with you, Val. Our motto is, "Vote with your dollars"...

Good Lord, this is a question about carbs and truth in advertising for this product and their others... not asking for a Physics essay on Geo-Nuclear Energy.

Here is the 3rd e-mail from Crispbread.

The importer is the President of CEL Enterprises, he is the best one to answer your question .This is an import from Norway and he is traveling abroad at the moment .This is for you. He'll answer when he gets back.

To: Pat
Sent: Monday, May 12, 2008 2:26 PM
Subject: RE: Help


Hi Pat-

Sorry, but I do not follow your e-mail. What is an "importer"? What do you mean, "when he returns to explain the carbs"? Was this e-mail intended for me?

Gary Casey

[Zer]

Bran-a-Crisp from Norway, 20calories, 1g protein, 6g carb (-2g insoluble fiber).

Originally Posted by Zer

Mine is bran and rye flour, 15 to a pkg, for $2, from Netrition. Works great!

Of the several bran crax I've tried, this is the best for me, the one that I keep on hand.

[scorpgc]

Originally Posted by CarolynF

Gary: It doesn't matter which non-fat dry milk powder you buy. Great Value is only carried by Wallie, but Carnation and Sanalac and Best Choice are fine as long as the carb count is
12 per 1/3 of a cup of the powder. This is generally the case. You probably should look for
"instant"..because it is easier to mix up. I'm sure the Carnation and other ones are instant.

Glad you are keeping these people at the Cracker Factory on their toes..

Thanks, Carolyn. I saw a big box at the grocery...but I didn't think it was the one you and other mentioned (and pictured) last week. I did look at the label and I believe it was 12 or 13 per 1/3 Cup. Not remembering your recipe, I thought it was a lot and put it back. Will have to go back and pick it up along with a serving container!

[julievan]

Gary where do you find these on netrition i looked and didnt see them

[Soobee]

I make my own crackers from a recipe I found on this board. Just use equal parts flax meal and wheat bran. Put in a sprinkle of salt, and whatever seasonings you like. I like everything sweet, so I use cinnamon and Davinci's syrup to moisten. You could use water if you are looking for a savory cracker. Spread it on parchment or a silicone mat and nuke until crisp. Virtually no work. The bran I get is organic and only 4 carbs per cup. So I can make several large crackers for those same 3 carbs that the purchased cracker costs you.

[Zer]

Originally Posted by julievan

Gary where do you find these on netrition i looked and didnt see them

GG Scandinavian Crispbread should show a link that takes you right to its display at Netrition.

[valf]

Soobee - what brand of bran and flax meal? Can you bake them? Do you cut them first or break apart after cooking?

Thanks!