In the name of good health and nutrition, I sometimes try to broaden my horizons and try new foods. I’ve been on a real bender lately since starting Precision Nutrition and beefing up my protein/trying to eat better quality carbs.
Fage – 0%
The big deal: Greek yogurt is packed with protein (16g in a 6oz cup). Lots of diet and health bloggers worship this stuff.
The verdict: Yuck! I tried this before and was hoping that I could put chocolate protein powder in the yogurt to make it taste pudding-ish. Yuck! It is thicker than normal yogurt which is fine. It is the sour taste of Greek yogurt that is just gross to me. I ate most of my concoction but felt ill for a few hours afterwords.
Chobani Greek Yogurt – Strawberry
The big deal: See above
The verdict: I must be a glutton for punishment to try this stuff yet again right? I figured another brand might taste better. I was right! This stuff is good! It isn’t as sickly sweet as your average cup of Dannon yogurt. It contains real sugar and real fruit – nothing artificial. Alas, the real sugar is the downfall – 20g in one cup. Sheesh! The plain kind only has about 7g of natural milk sugar so the strawberry stuff is just rolling in sugar. I will eat this occasionally but not add it to my regular rotation.
Ezekial 4:9 Sprouted Grain Bread
The big deal: Precision Nutrition encourages you to eat unprocessed and unrefined grains. That meant that suddenly my normal 100% whole wheat bread was not good enough. Ezekial bread is a sprouted grain bread and that means it meets the qualifications above and is really good for you. It is also low on the glycemic index so it won’t make your blood sugar go crazy.
The verdict: Not bad! I now eat a slice of this when I wake up in the morning before I workout. This is a better option than my usual 1/2 whole wheat bagel. Ezekial bread is really dense and filling. I toast it and it has a nutty kind of flavor. This slice carries me from 6-ish to 8:30 when get in to work and have a fuller breakfast. If you decide to try it buy from Tra.der Jo.e’s if you can. It costs $3.99/loaf here as opposed to $6 at Who.le Foo.ds or Kro.ger.
Steel Cut Oats
The big deal: Everyone knows oatmeal is good for you and foodies rave about how good steel cut oats taste.
The verdict: Yuck! I hate oatmeal so I don’t know why I thought this would be any different. I doctored it up with butter, some Splenda, a banana and some slivered almonds but oats are still gross. The mushy texture is what kills me. I love grits and want to replace them with a healthier option but this just isn’t it for me.
Brussel Sprouts
The big deal: I don’t know if they are a big deal other than being a green veggie that’s new to me. They are full of fiber, vitamin A, potassium and calcium though! I’ve never tried these before and the average TV show makes Brussel sprouts seem like the worst tasting vegetable in the world!
The verdict: Loved them! I love cabbage and since they are part of the cabbage family I figured they’d taste similar. I roasted them according to this recipe and popped them like veggie candy. The only problem is that they really stank up the house. I’m going to have to find a way to cut the smell or The Mister won’t let me make these again LOL.
Do you ever try to broaden your horizons with healthier foods? Any suggestions for foods I should try? Nothing extra processed please!
I loooove Chobani! Aren’t you glad you tried another brand?
Yes! The strawberry Chobani tastes way better than my old Dannon Activia. Less fake sugary. Now to re-create the flavor using the plain version. 20g is a *lot* of sugar!
Ummmm…you’re not supposed to put white sugar (or a white sugar substitute) on oats. BROWN SUGAR is where it’s at.
I love steel cut oats!
Really? I didn’t know that would make a difference. Nothing will save me from the mushy texture though. I give up!
I HATE the smell of Greek Yogurt. Its too strong…but I will try the Chobani. A lot of people around here eat Greek Yogurt and I have never seen this brand.
I LOVE oatmeal but can’t find a good instant of the steel cut.
Steel cut oats will never come as instant. They have to process them differently to make them instant…so they would never be steel cut.
I tried an easy recipe for overnight oats so cooking was easy. You can then reheat them the next day so they are sort of homemade instant steel cut oats. It might work for you!
They sell Chobani at Publix in the same case as Fage and the others. It is in the “organic” dairy type section – not with the regular yogurt.
Ive never heard of any of these…but now that you’ve reviewed them I will try them, and stay away from the first greek yogurt.
I like oatmeal, but only like the instant and probably processed stuff. The healthier type without the good old sugar and butter makes me gag. Which is why I stopped eating oatmeal a while ago =P
Tons of folks like Fage. I just can’t stand it!
I eat Chobani every day. I sweeten the plain one with 2 packets of Splenda and usually add a tablespoon of granola cereal or a few cubes of shredded wheat cereal.
The pineapple one if my favorite, but you’re right – the sugar is super high!
I might try to sweeten the plain Chobani. I tried to sweeten the plain Fage and it was still a no go.
did you peek in my fridge/pantry before doing this post?! I eat all this stuff…the Greek yogurt is on suspension until I wean Marlie (she has a milk protein allergy). I eat steel cut oatmeal every AM with raisins + teensy bit of brown sugar (it also helps maintain breast milk supply). way to go girl!
You are so healthy! I want to be you when I grow up.
Love this post!!
I actually like brussels sprouts and will try the roasted recipe you posted.
I have made “greek yogurt” or “yocheese” at home, which is where I put a coffee filter in strainer, and strained regular Dannon yogurt through it. It was just like greek yogurt. A bit too thick for my taste, so I added a bit of the liquid back! Regular yogurt has a lot of liquid in it.
I haven’t thought to try that. I wonder if you get the extra protein in Greek yogurt with the strain though?