Products: Good and Bad

[msawhitt]

I went into the clinic today for shots and they were doing a taste-testing of the new sauce/dressings they make- they were pretty good! It was nice to try them before I bought, and ended up with the Parmesan and the Ginger. The parm was a lot like caesar, and the ginger had a very asian taste to it. The hot and sour was a little strange for my taste. I'm on the road a lot, so the individual cups are perfect (and for restaurants, just to throw one in my purse).

Just thought I would post my opinion in case they are new products to anyone else's area and you were wanting to try them.

[Fit2010]

Stacey - I tried them yesterday when I was at the clinic. I liked both the ones you liked, I didn't try the hot and sour one though. The asian one was very soy sauce tasting. I would have bought the Parmesan one but right now allergist has me off milk, but I snuck in a taste...it was yummy!!

[msawhitt]

I know this thread has mostly been used for food products, but I found this container line at our Target recently that I am just thrilled with and feel compelled to share : )

Since our Target was remodeled, they have started carrying a brand called "Fit and Fresh", and I made a few purchases earlier in the week that have become lifesavers! They stock a filtered water bottle (a 20 ounce bottle with a built-in filter, like a "Pur" or "Brita" filter), and this amazing lunch container that has storage for about 6 ounces of meat (or whatever, but for our purposes....), an ice pack (included) and 2 separate 1-cup containers all in one container. I am on the road a lot, so to have both my veggie servings and 2 protein servings all in one pack is such a lifesaver! The water bottle is great too, instead of having a case of water bottles in my car, I can just carry the one refillable bottle and fill it anywhere- it filters itself.

Target also has a 7-day, 4 times per day pill container (by Up and Up). It was $9.99, and saves me so much counter space! I can just fill it up once a week and store the rest of my meds in the cabinet. I was almost embarrassingly excited to find such a perfect meds container, lol : )

These 3 products have literally made the Medi program effortless in my life, so maybe one of them can help someone else!!!

[Ortal]

Im excited to pick upthe salad dressings... all the low fat ones i found have a ton of sugar in them. Im trying to buy them through the medi site but it isnt showing in the list of products.

Im also going to look for those things at target. Ive been realy bad about remembering my supplements since I stopped the Phentermine so this may help

[irabeslim]

I saw in some posts that people are using mimic cream in recipes to replace the use of real cream or with coffee. I got it and tasted awful. Such an unpleasanr aftertaste. I will never buy it again

[YankeeMom27]

If anyone else is like me and CRAVES chocolate prior to my TOM, I think I found something that may help, but I wanted to know what everyone else thought...they are Sugar Free Jello Mousse Temptations. 1 snack container is 60 calories, 2.5mg of fat, 2g of protein, 10g Carbs with 1g Fiber and 6g sugar alcohol (so I think it works out to 3 net carbs). I was thinking as a "once in awhile treat", these would be pretty good!! Do you think these are acceptable on Medi?

[Ortal]

I love the taste an texture of the mousse .... I eat them once in a while but font buy them often since they are hard not to overdo. I don't see how they are different then, say, Atkins or Medi bars. As long as you stay in ketosis.

[Mary T8M]

Originally Posted by YankeeMom27

If anyone else is like me and CRAVES chocolate prior to my TOM, I think I found something that may help, but I wanted to know what everyone else thought...they are Sugar Free Jello Mousse Temptations. 1 snack container is 60 calories, 2.5mg of fat, 2g of protein, 10g Carbs with 1g Fiber and 6g sugar alcohol (so I think it works out to 3 net carbs). I was thinking as a "once in awhile treat", these would be pretty good!! Do you think these are acceptable on Medi?

Hmmmmm I'll have to look for them! Right now I'm on a kick of SF generic Jello (all ready made in the little containers, so I have more portion control) with low fat cool whip on top. Once in a great while I'll dribble a tiny amount of SF Hershey's syrup on top.
I'm also eating pork rinds with my lunch.....I need to be careful of both of these items.....easily over done

[msawhitt]

*As requested*, lol : )

My FAVORITE cheese is from the brand Jarlsburg, their lite swiss slices are delish and cost only 50 calories and 0 carbs per slice! Most cheese has 1 gram of carbs per serving, so this one is a keeper! I get mine at Publix, but it is not a "Publix" brand so I assume you could get it anywhere. It is located in the deli section, with the more expensive prepackaged meats and cheeses. It is a little more expensive than typical (and NEVER on sale), I pay $5-$6 for a pack of 10 0.75 oz. slices. Worth every penny in my fridge! Especially the zero carb part : )

[irabeslim]

Originally Posted by msawhitt

*As requested*, lol : )

My FAVORITE cheese is from the brand Jarlsburg, their lite swiss slices are delish and cost only 50 calories and 0 carbs per slice! Most cheese has 1 gram of carbs per serving, so this one is a keeper! I get mine at Publix, but it is not a "Publix" brand so I assume you could get it anywhere. It is located in the deli section, with the more expensive prepackaged meats and cheeses. It is a little more expensive than typical (and NEVER on sale), I pay $5-$6 for a pack of 10 0.75 oz. slices. Worth every penny in my fridge! Especially the zero carb part : )

They also sell a big package of it in Costco, I think around $9. On the same note I buy individually wrapped Cabot cheese pieces in Costco, very good, also 50 cal, no carbs. I think it's $9 for a bag. Lasts me awhile. Good snack.

[losing in Ftm]

Love the Fit n Fresh containers too. I got mine last year at Home Goods, can't remember how much it was though.

[lins]

I got my fit and fresh containers at Ross, for like $4. I have several of them, in all different sizes. I love them!

[Ortal]

Herbox soup packets, come in chicken and beef (I get the low sodium variety). 10 calories and no salt, instant savory afternoon snack! Just mix with really hot water. I find I can stretch it to two cups because i like my soup diluted.

[abg]

Originally Posted by saraanne

I bought two of the walden farms dressings and the ketchup and they are terrible. Just tasteless and have a yicky texture.

I really like the herbrew national hot dogs for a "normal" treat every once in awhile.

i agree with you! i did not like the walden farm ketchup aor the cocktail sauce.

[kelly4me]

A friend of mine recommended Special K Protein Water mix-ins and they're pretty good. 30 calories gets you 5g protein and 5g of fiber - which I really need right now. They come in a variety of flavors. Some stores have them with diet products and some with the regular powdered drink tubes.

[msawhitt]

***Jo- I read somewhere that direct links are not allowed, but I have a website I feel compelled to share. If this is in any way a violation of the website, please feel free to delete this post! I will not post a direct link, just directions on how to find it. Thanks!!***

That being said, there is an online resource that for the 1st 2 years of my daughters life was a LIFESAVER, and they have since added low-carb options! For $1.25 per week, an online subscription service called E-Mealz (you can search for it and easily find the website) will email you once per week a list of 5 dinner meals and recipes with a complete shopping list included. I scanned the low-carb sample menu, and overall it looks relatively Medi-friendly (maybe removing a couple of items, mandarin oranges and such, but generally sticks within our guidelines). You can select meals with different options: from 5 meals to 7 meals, 4-7 people or 2 people, Wal mart, Publix, Aldi, or "othr store" shopping lists, etc...Time is money! Especially if you are having a busy week, a resource like this can be the difference between a yummy dinner and lunchmeat or protein shakes, lol : ) Plus, you can obviously save the lists you get and collect/reuse them.

[Mary T8M]

Originally Posted by msawhitt

***Jo- I read somewhere that direct links are not allowed, but I have a website I feel compelled to share. If this is in any way a violation of the website, please feel free to delete this post! I will not post a direct link, just directions on how to find it. Thanks!!***

That being said, there is an online resource that for the 1st 2 years of my daughters life was a LIFESAVER, and they have since added low-carb options! For $1.25 per week, an online subscription service called E-Mealz (you can search for it and easily find the website) will email you once per week a list of 5 dinner meals and recipes with a complete shopping list included. I scanned the low-carb sample menu, and overall it looks relatively Medi-friendly (maybe removing a couple of items, mandarin oranges and such, but generally sticks within our guidelines). You can select meals with different options: from 5 meals to 7 meals, 4-7 people or 2 people, Wal mart, Publix, Aldi, or "othr store" shopping lists, etc...Time is money! Especially if you are having a busy week, a resource like this can be the difference between a yummy dinner and lunchmeat or protein shakes, lol : ) Plus, you can obviously save the lists you get and collect/reuse them.

WOW I've never heard of this site before, but it looks really good! Thanks for sharing. THINKING of what to fix has always been the hardest part of cooking for me!

[NomoreBK]

I'm going into week 3, can I have Wasabi peas? Just tried one the other day and they are addicting!!

[suzanna1]

NomoreBK ~ I would say no. I looked up the nutritional information and they are 80 calories for 1/3 cup serving, 1 gram of protein and 12 grams of carbs. Peas aren't on the approved list of veggies from my clinic. Too high in carbs!

If you are looking for spicy & crunchy... How about sprinkling a little wasabi powder on a small serving of pork rinds? Wasabi powder has less than 10 calories per teaspoon.

[suzanna1]

Stacey ~ Thank you for the emealz recommendation. I joined today. Printed out a ton of coupons and took the grocery list to the store. Not only did I get in and out of the store really quickly, I saved about 50% on my normal bill!!! Most of the stuff that I bought is for my husband... I usually cook dinner for him and he takes the leftovers for lunch. The 2 person option was perfect and he is looking forward to the meals. Thanks again.

[NomoreBK]

thank you!! I have been doing well so far and don't want to mess up now!!

[msawhitt]

Suzanna/Mary....no problem! I renewed my subscription one I saw they had a low-carb menu, and it is a BRAINLESS way to make sure my boyfriend and I eat real food every night, lol : ) Most of the recipes I have ever received from them are so simple, not much cooking know-how required. The 2 person, 5 night meal plan works perfectly for our family of 3 (2 adults and 1 4-year-old).

Buying this list and a paper (for coupons) each week is possibly the best $2.25 I ever spend : ) and the meals are very inexpensive! The total cost of ingredients (not including staples, like salt and pepper and whatnot) is usually around $30-$40, less if you choose the Wal-Mart plan since the list budgets for generics. This is very affordable for dinner for 2! Even at $50 for supplies (I have only spent that much ONCE on a list from them), that is $5 a meal for a nutritious homemade dinner. Love it!

[Deebert]

So I found Jack link chicken and turkey nuggets. They are like beef jerky but less calories.

1/3 of bag:
Calories: 80
Calories from fat: 30
Carb 6 gm
Fiber 4 gm
Protein 8 gm
Sodium 460 mg

*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower based on your calorie needs.

Great to carry in my purse or take on long trips. Little high on the sodium so i save these for those 'special' 'stressful' days.

Great to carry around with me when I need a quick pick-me up.

[Mary T8M]

For those of you who like hot and spicy sauces I've found a really good (and cheap) one. I hope you all already know about the SRIRACHA Hot Chili Sauce made by Huy Fong Foods (sold at Walmart). All the cooks on the Food Network use it! DH & DS put it on everything! DH puts a little on pork rinds! DS is a bit of a snob and normally doesn't shop at Walmart, but makes a special trip there to buy this Sriracha Sauce. 5 cal 1 carb per teaspoon serving........it's pretty hot so a little goes a long way.

Yesterday we found the same brand CHILI GARLIC SAUCE! OMG it's really good (and hot) 0 cal. 0 carbs for 1 tsp! I had it on my eggs this morning and it was really good! Remeber it's only for those of you who like things hot!

[alonewithyou]

Oh God, looking at this thread makes me wish I lived in the US! So many special products. In Norway we have two Atkins bars, and one of them is horrible!

Dear God, may I have Walmart, Costco and all the other great stores come to Norway? Thanks.

[msawhitt]

The manager of the office I go to is a wealth of product sugestions, I bought 2 today and wanted to share:

Jimmy Dean makes frozen pre-made omelets which are really good! A little on the high side calorie-wise, but great in a pinch and good for people who only eat 3 times a day, gets calories out of the way in one shot. I found mine at Wal-Mart, and they are cheap. The ham and cheese one is 250 calories and 4 carbs. Heats up in 2 minutes, and doesn't need extra seasoning (I was afraid it would be bland, but it was good!). It almost reminded me of my favorite flavor Hot Pockets, just with egg "wrapping" instead of bread. They also had sausage and cheese.

Also, for STM and beyond (or, I imagine, good for a vegetarian?), Hood makes a milk that is only 3g of carbs per serving. It is called Hood Calorie Countdown, the plain/white kind only has 3 carbs and the chocolate has 5 (for a cup serving). Also found at Wal-Mart, in a carton...not a plastic jug.

Another thing I wanted to say, I have NEVER EVER been able to find the Dannon Light and Fit Carb Control, and figured out why! A lot of major stores stopped carrying it for a while, and are now reintroducing it it as "Diabetic-friendly". It says "carb and sugar control" very small on the pack. Our local Target and Wal-Marts have started carrying it, and I am thrilled....LOVE yogurt : )

[Charlene4]

I have fallen in love with two bars that I recently tried. One is an Atkins: Atkins Advantage Caramel Double Chocolate crunch which is utterly delicious....better than a candy bar!
Calories: 160
Fat: 8g
Carbohydrates: 20g
Fiber: 11g
Sugars: 1g
Protein: 11g

The other, which again, is better than a candy bar is "Power Crunch" protein energy bar. A little higher in calories and sugar and fat but still within acceptable limits for me. It's like those wafer cookies that are so good.
Calories: 200
Fat: 12g
Carbs:10
Fiber:1g
Sugars 5 g
Protein: 13g

I like the peanut butter creme flavor best but there are a couple to choose from. I found these at Wal-Mart and Central Market

[Mary T8M]

I posted this on the October board and was asked to post it here as well.

I found a couple new products yesterday that have me excited! The first is Weight Watchers Jalapeno Pepper Processes Cheese Product. It's just like the Laughing Cow cheese EXCEPT there are only six (6) wedges instead of 8 like the LC! Each wedge is 30 cal, 1 carb, 2 g protein. I think there was at least one other flavor, but I was SO excited to see the Jalapeno Pepper I just focused on that. I tried it today and it was REALLY good.

The second thing I found was Oscar Mayer 98% Fat Free Hot Dogs. These LOOK more like "regular" hot dogs, than the Nathans do. They are made with turkey instead of beef. 40 calories (0 from fat) 5 g protein 3 carbs. I haven't actually tried one yet, but DH did and he liked it a lot.

I made the baked apples I found on the recipe board by Susie and with the modified recipe that followed. That was REALLY yummy! Just like apple pie. I topped it with frozen Cool Whip Lite. It was like apple pie ala mode. I did not peel the apple BTW

[losing in Ftm]

I just discovered Schneider's Canadian Bacon (4 slices are 60 Cal, 1 carb and 11 protein) at BJ's. In comes in 3 packs of 12 slices. I poach a egg with it and mix together - delish and filling!

[mommy2princesses]

Originally Posted by msawhitt

Jimmy Dean makes frozen pre-made omelets which are really good! A little on the high side calorie-wise, but great in a pinch and good for people who only eat 3 times a day, gets calories out of the way in one shot. I found mine at Wal-Mart, and they are cheap. The ham and cheese one is 250 calories and 4 carbs. Heats up in 2 minutes, and doesn't need extra seasoning (I was afraid it would be bland, but it was good!).

I agree - these are really good! Had 1 for lunch on Halloween - since I knew we wouldn't eat again until much later. It really held me over for a while.