Losing weight isn't easy. Four months ago, I set off on my weight loss journey and my lifestyle change. The main switch was my diet and the things I chose to ate. I now eat extremely clean and I don't eat too many unhealthy things. Of course I have my days where I eat whatever I want, but I live for trying products that are healthy and high in protein. Whenever I hear about a new, popular snack that won't make me feel guilty, I run to go buy it. Wegmans and Whole Foods have become my best friends and always have different products for me to try. So, I tried healthy popular products so you don't have to.
1. Quest Bars
Rating: 7/10
Recommended Flavors: Mint Chip, S'mores, Cookie Dough and Cinnamon Bun.
Where to Buy: Wegmans, Most Grocery Stores, GNC
Quest bars have been raved about by so many of my friends. Naturally, I decided that I needed to try them out for myself. I like them, but I hate the texture of them. There is not a lot of crunch, which I like, but they do have good flavors. It is also a great way to get protein in. For me, I hate eating in the morning. So, while I was away at school, I would just grab a quest bar on my way to class. Although I am not a fan of the texture, I would definitely recommend these!
2. Quest Cravings
Rating: 2/10
Where to Buy: Wegmans, Most Grocery Stores, GNC
While I was buying Quest Bars at Wegmans, I saw these right under them. I got so excited because I thought that I could have a peanut butter cup, one of my most favorite things in the world, and not feel guilty eating them! I thought this was going to be so good, but I was so wrong. The chocolate was bitter and it wasn't the melt in your mouth chocolate that you think of when you eat a Reese's. The peanut butter filling was nothing like peanut butter. In the picture on the label, it looks like a creamy peanut butter. However, the peanut butter filling was basically peanut butter protein powder. Eating protein powder is not good, let me tell you! I was disappointed with this snack and I would not recommend!
3. Arctic Zero
Rating: 3.5/10
Recommended Flavors: Salted Caramel
Where to Buy: Wegmans, Whole Foods
Ice cream is something everyone needs in their life. I had heard about two different types of "healthy" protein ice cream. Arctic Zero and Halo Top (reviewed below). Of course, I had to try them both. I tried Arctic Zero first; I tried three different flavors: Salted Caramel, Cookie Shake and Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough. I took a bite from each of them and I was disappointed. All of them tasted like flavored water. The texture was not creamy at all. The flavor was really watered down and I was just overall not impressed. It definitely was not like ice cream. The only one I could stand was the salted caramel! I would not recommend.
4. Smart Food Delight
Rating: 8/10
Recommended Flavors: White Cheddar and Salted Caramel
Where to Buy: Any Grocery Store
I love snacks where I can eat a lot of it. Smartfood Delight is only 35 calories per cup. I decided to try all three flavors: White Cheddar, Sea Salt and Salted Caramel. This popcorn tastes like the regular Smartfood popcorn. It is really good and filling. It also is coated with flavor so it doesn't taste like cardboard! I would recommend this!
5. Nuts n More
Rating: 7.5/10
Recommended Flavors: Salted Caramel and Toffee Crunch
Where to Buy: Amazon, GNC
One of my good friends, Paige, always tells me about new products that she has tried. We are both on similar journies, so we try to help each other and tell each other about amazing recipes and products. I asked her about 'Nuts n More' and I just had to try. This is a high protein peanut butter spread that has less fat and more protein. They have different flavors and I decided to try Salted Caramel and Toffee Crunch at Paige's recommendation. I tried both as soon as I got home. At first, I was discouraged because there was such a separation in the oil and peanut butter mix and it was very difficult to mix. So, I put it in the fridge for a half hour and the problem was solved. I tried both and they tasted just like their flavors. It was so good! The only thing is because it was made with whey protein, the texture is not super creamy like peanut butter. I still love 'Nuts n More' on a light English Muffin in the morning! I would definitely recommend.
6. Halo Top
Rating: 9/10
Recommended Flavors: Birthday Cake, Strawberry and Vanilla Bean.
Where to Buy: Wegmans or Whole Foods
I could rave about Halo Top for days. If you know me or follow me on Snapchat/ Twitter, you know that I am obsessed. I have tried every flavor of Halo Top, except Mint Chip. All of the flavors truly taste like regular ice cream. It is creamy and you really cannot tell the difference between Halo Top and regular ice cream. The only thing about Halo Top is that it takes a while for it to get soft and they are hard to find. As they have gotten more popular, it is becoming easier to find Halo Top. However, around me and at school, they are only sold at Wegmans and Whole Foods and the popular flavors are hard to find. They usually sell out first. It took me months to find Birthday Cake. My friend, Josh, called seven different Wegmans for me to find out when it is getting shipped in. Thanks, Josh!! I would definitely recommend!!
7. Muscle Milk 100
Rating: 8/10
Recommended Flavors: Chocolate
Where to Buy: Most Grocery Stores, GNC
This is my morning go-to breakfast. It is an extremely easy way to get my protein in the morning. The original 'Muscle Milk' had more carbs and sugar than the new Muscle Milk 100. Although it is less protein, you are still getting 20 grams of protein. When I tried this protein drink, I was impressed. I thought it was going to taste horrible and nothing like the protein shakes I have had in the past. I have only tried the chocolate flavor, but it tastes like chocolate milk! I definitely recommend this protein shake!
I hope that you can read these reviews and decide what products you want to try. I hated spending money on products that I ended up not liking, so I hope I saved you from that. Enjoy and indulge in these great products!
