OCD critic + food: miscellaneous products

A while ago I started keeping track of all the "healthful" products I eat. A product can make it on to this list if it purports to be a "diet" food, an organic product, a vegetarian or vegan or even pescatarian product, a "natural" product, something I just deem to be healthy, or an energy product. I think that covers it. Some items have more information than others, as I started adding more and more info. over the course of my record keeping. Unless otherwise discussed, the rating that comes after the product name refers to it's taste and then nutritional contents are spelled out in parentheses. It's also under construction, really, so I'm constantly improving the organizational structure. I've started adding website links to the products-sometimes to the official website of the product and other times to good places to order them for less money or something like that.

Bottled Soda Drinks:

Non-organic:

Lipton:
1. Diet Strawberry Kiwi Sparkling Green Tea: The carbonation is too strong for the more subtle taste, but it's not too bad (0 calories)

Bottled Water Drinks, Flavored:

Non-organic:

Fuze:
-Slenderize: 1. Tangerine Grapefruit: Really tasty. I think the grapefruit gives you that feeling of self-satisfaction you get from drinking actual grapefruit juice (you know, the whole, "urrrgh, I'm drinking something that tastes bad but is so good for me" feeling), while the other flavors and the sucralose makes it taste good. (If you click on Fuze above you can follow through to the nutritional info. and information about the additives. It has 20 calories per bottle.)


Glaceau:
-Vitamin Water Zero:
1. Acai-blueberry-pomegranate: The flavor isn't bad, a little...watery though.  They're using stevia for sweetener now, hooray!  Among the vitamins and minerals they pack in, you get a bit of manganese, which is pretty sweet because it's normally expensive and large, so most multivitamins won't give you much.
2. Lemonade: Really good!  One of the richest 0 calorie drinks available.  Lots of good stuff too: Nut. Info. coming soon.

Propel:
1. Grape (w/ antioxidants): Fairly tasty, a little watery tasting (Nut. Info.)

Pure American: (Walgreen's brand)

1. Acai-Blueberry Pomegranate: Taste was reasonable (Antioxidant, Vitamin Enhanced) (Nut. Info.)
2. Fruit Punch - Rehydrate: A little too bland, plus, no one really likes watery fruit punch or fruit punch in general much at all anymore, do they? (Nut. Info. not available)
2. Kiwi-Strawberry - Brainpower: Not bad, a little watery. Slightly noticeable effects on brain/energy. (Nut. Info.)
3. Tropical Citrus - Burst: Tastes funny, in a watered down not so good way (0 calories; 40% Vit C; 20% Niacin, Vit B6, Vit B12, Pantothenic Acid))

SoBe:
-Lifewater: They use stevia now!  Hooray!
1. Acai Fruit Punch: Pretty good! (Nut. Info.)
2. Cherimoya Punch: Yummy! (Nut. Info.) 3. Fuji Apple Pear: Lean Machine: Pretty good (Nut. Info.)



Burritos, Frozen:

Organic:

Vegan:

Phil's Fresh Foods:
1. Veggie Fajita Burrito (mild): It tastes good enough to eat certainly, but not good enough for me to ever spend 460 calories on it again. (Nut. Info.)

Chips:

Miscellaneous:

Non-organic:

Eatsmart:

-Veggies Crisps: (potato, spinach and tomato chips)

1.Sundried Tomato & Pesto: Freaking delicious, could be more healthful though (Nut. Info.)

National Food: (website under construction as of 1/10/10)

Mariquitas:

1. Classic Plantain Chips with Garlic: Pretty tasty (1 oz/32 chips: 150 calories: 8g fat: 1.5g sat fat; 85mg sodium; 19g carbs: 1g fiber, 1g sugar; >1g protein; 15% VitA; 2% Iron)

Potato:

Tortilla:

Organic:

Garden of Eatin':
1. Mini White Rounds: Good Stuff (1oz/28g/18 chips=140 calories, 7g fat(1 sat), 18g carbs (3 fiber, 0 sugar), 2g protein
2. Pico de Gallo: Tasty Stuff (1oz/28g/7 chips=140 calories, 7g fat(.5 sat), 18g carbs (3 fiber, 0 sugar), 2g protein

Chocolate Treats:

Non-organic:

Barton's:
Exquisite Heavenly Dark Chocolate:
1. Dark Chocolate filled with Raspberry Intense Raspberry Truffles: Really yummy (3 pieces(thought they're big enough you'll only eat one at a time): 160 calories: 9g fat: 6g sat; 23g carbs:1g fiber, 19g sugar; 1g protein)

Brookside:
-Chocolate Bowl:
1. Dark Chocolate Pomegranate: Yummy! (20 pieces: 180 calories: 7g fat: 4g sat; 29g carbs: 1g fiber, 26g sugar; 1g protein)


Crackers:

Non-organic:

Archer Farms:
1. Cornbread snack crackers: Yummy! Kind of soft and they do have a cornbread taste (8 crackers: 70 calories: 2g fat: .5g sat; 12g carbs: 2g sugar; 1g protein)

Kellogg's:
-All-Bran Crackers:
1. Multi-grain: Pretty good (18 crackers: 130 calories: 6g fat: 1g sat; 270mg/11% sodium; 19g carbs: 5g fiber, 4g sugar; 2g protein)

South Beach:
1. Whole Wheat Snack Crackers: Yummy

Creamer:

Vegan:

Non-organic:

Silk:
1. Original: Good stuff. I only used it in tea, but it was great for that. (Nut. Info.)

Dark Chocolate:

Organic:

Non-organic:

Endangered Species:
1. Extreme Dark Chocolate: 88%, 10 Individually wrapped pieces, 50 calories each: Delicious!!!

Dressings:

Non-organic:

South Beach
1. Italian: Meh
2. Ranch Dressing: Okay

Dried Fruit, Packaged:

Non-organic:

Sunsweet
-Gold Label:
1. Pitted Prunes (Dried Plums): Yummy, dunno if they really helped me to poop. (Nut. Info.)

Drink Mixes (Powdered, Energy):

Non-organic:

Aspartame?:

Morning Spark Energy Mix:
1. Orange: Good Stuff

Replenish Sport Drink Mix With Electrolytes:
1. Fruit Punch: Not Good


Drink Mixes (Powdered, Fiber):

Non-organic:

Splenda:

All Bran: They often offer free samples on their website. I get some every few months.
-Fiber Drink Mix:
1. Pink Lemonade: Not bad, a little tart, but it is lemonade after all. 12g carbs (Nutritional Info.)
2. Red Raspberry: Pretty good, but make sure to use a little less water than suggested or it'll taste as watered down as 15 calories is supposed to (Nutritional Info.)

Benefiber: (coupon)

1. Orange: Not bad! Sweet without sugar! It really doesn't get clumpy or chalky like most fiber drinks. The downfall is that 20 calories of the chalky stuff gets you 5 grams of fiber, whereas this stuff only racks up 3 grams of fiber per 20 calories (Nut. Info. same as citrus)

Drink Mixes (Powdered, Low/No calorie):

Non-organic:

Aspartame:

Crystal Light: They really all have the same nutritional info.

-Focus:

1. Natural Citrus Splash: Decent tasting, nice caffeine kick. Good mixed in a smoothie or some berry flavored Metamucil. (Their website is a piece of crap, but it has 10 calories to the packet, 80mg caffeine, 20% Zinc, Vit E)

-Green Tea:

1. Natural Honey Lemon: Pretty good (Nut. Info.)
-Immunity:
1.Natural Cherry Pomegranate: Fine, but a bit too tart and deep flavored. Not really sweet, and light. (Nutritional Info.)
2. White Grape: Tasty
-Hydration:
1. Berry Splash: Fine
-Lemonade:
1. Pink Lemonade: Pretty good, could use some more sweetener (Nut. Info.)

-Metabolism:

1.Green Tea Peach Mango: Pretty good, nice little caffeine boost too. I had many of the packets with berry flavored Metamucil, and that was weird but not bad! (Nut. Info.)

Hawaiian Punch (sugar free):
1. Berry Blue Typhoon: Not for me, tastes like bad, generic cool-aid (1 packet: 10 calories: 2g carbs: 0 sugar; 40% VitC)
2. Orange Ocean: Not for me, tastes like watered-down Sunny Delight (1 packet: 10 calories: 2g carbs: 0 sugar; 40% VitC)

Market Pantry: (zero calories)
1. Cherry Limeade: Okay
2. Mandarin Mango Green Tea Mix: Meh
3. Peach Iced Tea: Really good
4. Raspberry Green Tea: Yummy

Splenda/Sucralose:

Market Pantry:
-Sugar-free Tea-to-go:
1. Mandarin Mango Green Tea Mix: Not very good at all (0 calories - 0 anything else)

Splenda:
-Flavor Accents:
1. Raspberry: Weak, not good (Nutritional Info.)


Fridge Meals (No Microwaving Required):

Non-vegetarian:

Non-organic:

South Beach:
1. Turkey & Bacon Club: Good
2. Santa Fe ?: Decent
3. Deli Ham & Turkey: Okay
4. Grilled Chicken Caesar: Pretty good
5. Southwestern Style Chicken: ?
6. Turkey Santa Fe Hot Sandwich Melts: Good
7. Oven Roasted Ham & Swiss Hot Sandwich Melts: Good stuff


Grains:

Couscous:

Organic:

365 Organic:
1. Whole Wheat Couscous: Yummy (3/4 cup cooked or 1/4 cup dry: 160 calories: 1g fat: o sat/trans; 35g carbs: 5g fiber; 6g protein) Cooks in only 5 minutes, don't forget about it or walk away though, it will boil over quickly!
2. Whole Wheat Shells: Good Stuff (3/4 Cup: 210 calories: 1g fat: 0sat/trans; 42g carbs: 5g fiber, 2g sugar; 7g protein; 12% Iron)

Gnocchi:

Gia Russa:
1. Whole What Gnocchi with sweet potato: Delicious, cooks in less than 5 minutes, too much sodium though (1 cup=237 calories: 1g fat: 0 sat/trans; 600 mg sodium; 51g carbs: 1g fiber, 0 sugar; 6g protein)


Hummus:


Vegan:

Non-organic:


Public Deli:
1. Jalapeno and Cilantro: Yummy, creamy, somewhat less healthful than the original flavor though, and I don't think the jalapeno and cilantro flavor you get are enough to justify that loss. (Nut. Info.)


Sabra: (Check out all the new flavors they have listed on their website, such as cranberry & fig and peppadew, but don't ask me where they can be purchased!  Maybe Whole Foods or Trader Joe's...)
1. Classic Hummus: Really good, yummy, and creamy.  And of course it's so darn good for you. (Nut Info.)

Jello:

Non-organic:

Aspartame:

Great Value:
1. Sugar Free Peach: Pretty good, but it stops tasting so good after you've scarfed up the first half and start on the second in one sitting (Whole package: 20 calories: 260mg/12% sodium; 4g protein)

Miscellany:

Non-organic:

Bragg:

1. Liquid Aminos: Alternative to soy sauce: Not bad, but kind of funky (Nut. Info.)

South Beach:
1. Fat Free Cool Whip: Yummy

Vegetarian:

Organic:

Archer Farms:
-Real Fruit Strips:
1. Pomegranate: Yummy! It reminds me of something from my childhood, but I can't quite place it... ( This is the nut. info. for the wildberry flavor, but it's the same except add a gram of sugar (keep total carb. count the same))

Gopal's:
Nori Wrapped Power Wraps:
1. Texas BarBQ: Tastes like beef jerky and sushi put together with a dash of hippy bizarre, pretty good stuff (35 calories per stick; 2.5g fat: .25gsat, 0 trans; 2.5g carbs: 1g fiber; 1.5g protein)
2. Mexican: Not very good, okay (35 calories per stick; 3g fat: .25gsat, 0 trans; 1.5g carbs: 1g fiber; 1.5g protein)

Non-organic:

Boca:
1. Meatless Chili: Very good (South Beach approved)

Morningstar:
1. Corn Dogs: Yummy!

Nuts:

Non-organic:

Archer Farms: (Target often offers coupons on their site-you should always check it out before shopping there.)
1. Butter Crunch Cashews: Delicious!! (Nutritional Info.)
2. Dill Pickle Cashes: Yums! Tastes like pickles and/or salt and vinegar potato chips. (Nutritional Info.)
3. Honey Cinnamon Almonds: Yummy (Nutritional Info.)

Blue Almond:
-Bold
-Habanero BBQ: Yummy! (They don't seem to list this product on their website, but this is essentially the same nutritional info.)

Great Value:
1. Mixed Nuts: with 50% less peanuts (Includes macadamia nuts) Not bad, but not great. Still has too many peanuts and too many of those little shell papers. (Nutritional Info.)

Planters:
-Nut Temptations:
1. Oak Smoked Nut Blend: Really yummy, delicious oaky smokey flavor. Peanuts, cashews and almonds (30 pieces/28g: 160 calories: 13g fat: 1.5g sat; 7g carbs: 2g fiber, 2g sugar; 6g protein)





Pancake Mix:

Non-organic:

Fiber One:
1. Pancake Mix: Very Nice (3 pancakes=180 calories)

Peanut Butter/Non-Peanut Butter:

Vegan:

Non-organic:
Smart Balance:
-Omega Natural Peanut Butter : and Omega-3 from Flax Oil 1. Chunky: Does not taste good. I'm actually going to throw 2/3 of the jar away. That is huge for me. And it doesn't matter whether it's a PBJ or you try to mask the bad flavor by putting it in a smoothie, you still taste this awkward flax seed taste. (Nut. Info.)


Popcorn:

Microwavable:

Non-organic:

Kroger:
1. Kettle Corn: I had just introduced my girlfriend to the wonder of Kettle Corn, so this was a disappointment as it was not nearly as sweet as it should be. (1 Bag, popped: 140 calories)

Pre-popped:

Non-organic:

Eatsmart:

-Cheddairs:

1. Aged White Cheddar: Yum! Taste like muted Cheetos with a more deflating texture, but the caloric price is right! (Nut. Info.)

Popcorn, Indiana:
1. Original Kettle Corn Popcorn: Yummy! (Nut. Info.)



Protein Powder:

Vegetarian:

Naturade:
1. 100% Soy Protein Booster: Good flavor, I use 1 tblsp, .5 oz, or 1/16th cup in my smoothies ( 1/3 cup: 110 calories: 1g fat: 0 sat/trans; 320 mg; 0g carbs; 25g protein)

Non-vegetarian:

Lewis Labs:
1. Staminex (Famous original formula): The taste is pretty strong and kinda funky even in a smoothie with a lot of fruit, but it's not altogether bad tasting, though I only used 1 tablespoon. (3 tblsp: 124 calories: 4g fat: 2g sat; 250mg/7% potassium; 6g carbs: 2g fiber, 0g sugar; 16g protein; 500% VitB12; 400% VitC; 250% Thiamine; 200% VitE; 180% VitB6; 160% VitD; 120% VitA; 100% Riboflavin; 90% Folic Acid, Chromium; 80% Magneisum; 60% Zinc; 50% Biton, Iodine; 40% Iron; 25% Niacin, Selenium; 20% Calcium; 15% Phosphorus; 12% Manganese; 5% Pantothenic Acid; 1200mg Linoleic Acid; 1000mg Linolenic Acid; 500mg RNA/DNA - don't ask me what this means; 150mg Choline; 50mg Inositol; 24mg Pancreatin; 3mg Octocosanol; .4mg PABA; 400 mcg Papain

Protein Shakes:

Lean Body:
1. Bananas & Cream Hi-Protein Shake: Very Good

Sci-fit:
Shake-A-Whey:
1. Strawberry: Not bad, tastes like creamy fake strawberry as you'd expect it to (Nutritional Info.)

Puddings:

Non-organic:

Jello?:
1. Vanilla: Really good
2. Chocolate: Really good
3. Chocolate Vanilla: Really good
4. Banana Fudge Supreme: Okay
5. Chocolate Mint Fudge: Good
6. Dulce de Leche: Really good
7. Double Chocolate: Yummy
8. Caramel: Real good
9. Definitely Jello brand: Dark Chocolate: Delicious
10. Jello Pudding Tapioca: Vanilla: Good
11. Jello Pudding Tapioca: Cinnamon Swirl: Pretty good

South Beach:
1. Dark Chocolate Vanilla Marble: Very good
2. Milk Chocolate Truffle: Really good

Relaxation Drinks:

Perhaps you've noticed that these so called relaxation drinks have started popping up here and there. Don't get confused if you're looking for an upper. Anyway, I feel compelled to try and review them along with everything else.

VIB (Vacation in a Bottle):
1. Pomegranate Berry: This tasted okay, but it wasn't something you'd drink without expecting chemical benefits. Speaking of which, I'm not sure I noticed any chemical benefits. (Nut. Info.)

Salsa:

Organic:

Vegetarian/vegan:

505 Southwestern:
1. Medium Organic Salsa: Meh, it just tastes like Pace Picante Sauce, but maybe you like that sort of thing. (2 tbsp: 15 calories)

Non-organic:

Vegetarian/vegan:

Jose T. Garcia's:
1. Salsa Picante (Mild): Pretty good (2 tblsp: 10 cal: 0g fat; 170mg/7% sodium; 2g barbs: >1g fiber, >1g sugar; >1g protein; 10% VitA; 4% calcium)

Publish Post

Salpica:
1. Tomato Jalapeno Salsa (with fresh Cilantro), Medium: Meh, not very good. (2 tbsp: 10 calories: 2g carbs: 1g sugar; 160mg/7% sodium; Vit A 4%; Vit C 4%)

Sandwiches (Frozen/Microwavable):

Organic:

Non-organic:

Non-vegetarian:

Organic:

Non-organic:

Lean Cuisine:
1. Chicken, spinach & mushroom: Very good

Healthy Choice:
1. Smokehouse Apple & Chicken: Very good
2. Smoked Chicken: Not bad
3. Chicken basil panini: Pretty good

Stouffer's:
1. Smoked turkey club panini: Yummy


Snack Bags:

Sweet:

Non-organic:

Deerfield Farms (Walgreens Brand):

-Snackin':

1. Flax Granola Bites with Cranberries, Blueberries & Raisins: Pretty tasty, cheap, and healthy. I picked a bag up for .99. (Random info. from Walgreens' site). (2.5 servings per bag; 1 serving: 6 pieces: 130 calories: 4g fat: 0g sat; 150 mg sodium; 20g carbs: 3g fiber, 8g sugar; 4g protein; 2% calcium; 6% Iron)

2. Healthy Trail Mix with Cranberries, Raisins, Apricots, Cherries, Blueberries, Almonds, Soynuts & Walnuts: Not bad, but not as tasty as the granola bites (2.5 servings per bag; 1 serving is 1/4 cup: 120 calories: 2.5g fat: 0g sat/trans; 180mg/5% potassium; 25g carbs: 3g fiber, 19g sugar; 2g protein; 4% Vit A & Iron; 2% Calcium)

Quaker:
-Mini Delights:
1. White Chocolate Drizzle 90 calories packs: Well, this isn't really a health food, but they do give you a low calorie little portion, so these products made the list. This tasted kinda good, but in all fairness, I had it at my mother's house, so it was probably a bit stale. (Nut. Info. Well, that link is for a product with extremely similar nut. info. as it seems this product is no longer available on the market. No wonder my mother has these stocked up - she clearly got a 24 pack at the 99 only store because this product is discontinued and very close to the "consume by" date.

South Beach:
1. Cherry Almond Granola Clusters: Decent
2. Mixed Berry Granola Clusters: Good

Walgreens Select:

1. Chocolate & Nut Mix: Yummy (3 servings: 1/4 cup=1 serving: 140 calories: 9g fat: 1.5g sat; 45mg/2% sodium; 14g carbs: 1g fiber, 10g sugar; 4g protein; 4% iron; 2% calcium)

Toaster Pastries (AKA Pop Tarts):

Organic:

Health Valley Organic:
-Toaster Tarts:
1. Red Cherry: Really Yummy (150 calories: 2.5g fat: 0sat/trans; 29g carbs: >1g fiber, 16g sugar; 2g protein) Good cool or toastered, but better toastered

Nature's Path:
1. Wildberry Açai: Delicious
2. Brown Sugar Maple Cinnamon: Delicious!!! ( 210 calores: 4.5gfat: 3g sat; 39 g carbs: 1g fiber, 20 g sugar; 3g protein; 10% iron)


Non-organic:

Fiber One:
1. Brown Sugar Cinnamon: Delicious
2. Strawberry: Great, but not as good as BSC
3. Blueberry: Terrific!

Trail Mix:

Non-organic:

Planters:
-Daybreak Blend:
1. Apple Cinnamon Trail Mix: Yummy (Single Serve pack 1.5oz: 200 Calories: 10g fat: 1g sat; 24g carbs: 3g fiber; 13g sugar; 4g protein)

Wraps (Microwavable):

Non-organic:

Non-vegetarian:

South Beach:
1. Chicken Monterrey: Very good
2. Herb Chicken: Pretty good
3. Southwestern Style Breakfast Wrap: Pretty good
4. Teriyaki Steak Wraps: Pretty good
5. All American Breakfast Wrap: Real good
6. Denver Style Breakfast Wrap: ?

Rough Key to Which Words are Better Than Others:

Amazing
Sooo Good
Delicious
Real Good
Very Good/Yummy/Yum!
Tasty
Nice/Good Stuff
Pretty good, actually
Pretty Good
Good
Not Bad/Decent
Okay/Fine
Not great
Meh
Not Good

For South Beach phases, if not specified, they're phases 2-3