The big Q1 review edition. Sharing all the items I've tried, honestly, without any form of monetary compensation. See my professional and personal opinion, along with cheapest way for YOU to get the Whitness-Approved options. xx |
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| | Coconut Bliss Infinite Coconut Bar Professional opinion: First, this is dessert. But, unlike many of the sugar-alcohol laced options and "light" non-fat milk use in competitors, this product contains a small amount of agave, balanced with full-fat coconut milk to give it a creamy texture and more balanced nutrition label. There's almost as much plant based fat as their is sugar in this bar, which I appreciate. Personal: I find that this digests much better on my stomach than diet versions (excessive sugar alcohols cause GI upset, loose stools, etc) and the flavor profile reminds me all of things Hawaii. Provided? Free coupon provided in exchange for a review. I don't have a discount for these, but I found them on sale at Sprouts...they'be been recently removed from Whole Foods and I've fought for them to be restocked. | | |
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| | NuGo Egg White Protein Bar Professional opinion: I used to eat my fair share of NuGo slim because they were allergen friendly and low-cal/high protein. With a transition to a more holistic dietary regimen, I was interested in this RXbar-esque version. The macronutrient split is almost the same, although it's slightly less caloric and they are softer/easier to chew. Personal: I minimize my bar intake because it sends my sugar dragon for a loop. But, the blueberry and maple were my preferred flavors with a more mild taste. You can find these at Central Market, or online: WHITNESS for 15% off NuGo Egg White through June 15, 2019. Provided? Sent bars for my patient's nutrition challenge prizes! | | |
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| | Carmel Nutpods Professional opinion: A new flavor (the one I requested, ayyy!) has been added to this plant-based and sweetener free creamer collection. I really enjoy how creamy the texture of this is without any saturated fat or cholesterol present. The flavor is most apparent in iced versions, I believe. I haven't used this for cooking, but I do believe it would make a mean keto-friendly/low carb chia seed pudding with the addition of perhaps cinnamon & pecan? Personal: It's the only non-dairy creamer I've used in iced coffee without that flakiness from calcium carbonate. My Chameleon Cold Brew iced coffee is freaking delicious with this + it looks like normal iced coffee; thankyousomuch. Provided? I'm on the nutpodsquad; I get to try new product before most and in return, share with you a 15% off code - whitnessnutrition for all online ordering needs. Amazon Subscribe & Save will also lower the price for you! | | |
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| | BuckWhat! Noshes Not only is LeeAnn the owner of BuckWhat! incredibly passionate about her creation, she's also a health-minded individual with a true goal of improving the health of her family (first) and her customers (second). Isn't that the way it should be? I've really enjoyed supporting them. Professional opinion: This product is mostly carbohydrate. But, the sources are buckwheat (it's actually not wheat, or grain, more closely related to rhubarb...they need to change the name) and dates. With a sunflower seed binder and cinnamon, these rounds have a Nilla Wafer taste and a Bobo's Oat Bar/LaraBar mouth feel? Either way; I dig it for a good pre-endurance workout fueling option. This would also be a great option for children in place of a normal pure sugar/pure carb snack option with little fiber or nutrients. Personal: I prefer the sunflower version; my flavor palette is all about pumpkin/ginger/cinnamon. The small container makes them easy to toss in a gym bag and prevent over-eating. The serving size of 180 calories is actually adequate and kept me full during my workout and onto my next meal. Provided? LeeAnn sent me a sample to try and then a box for my nutrition challengers to win next week when they cash in their points! You can use code Whitness20 for 20% off on buckwhat.com | | |
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| | Bulletproof Pumpkin Spice This new flavor is my favorite. I guess it isn't that new, released in the Fall, but I finally tried it when the sale arose (coupon queen forever!). Professional opinion: This balanced bar is my go-to for clients who don't like meat sticks, want a more plant-based option and prefer sweet over savory. The balance of carbs/fat/protein is perfection and the sweetener is monk fruit. I do wish the size was a bit larger within the same caloric restraint as it really doesn't fill someone up by volume, but the satiety is there with the fat presence. Personal: Flavor-wise, I do avoid the chocolate flavors. The vanilla, pumpkin and lemon are the top favorites per patient preference. They are a bit oily and if they break in your purse, they will leave a mark and require cleaning... Provided? I bought these with my own $$ on major sale- use code BARSALE for an extra 50% off the sale price. | | |
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| | Georgia Grinder's Hazelnut Butter Professional opinion: The newest nut butter from Georgia Grinders is so unique! Same smooth creamy texture but the flavor profile is vastly different than almond or peanut. I found this to be really fabulous in a sauce to go with pasta or starch, like butternut squash, or on dark chocolate (a tip from the CEO!). I'm so thankful to see a brand that continues to focus on a majority of pure Nut Butters without the additions on unneeded sugar/sweeteners. Personal: Because I can be picky and honest, I'm going to say that the Pecan Butter will always be my #1. This is based on my preferred palette, which is really unique. Provided? I was gifted 1 jar of hazelnut butter to try and use during my recent Fat Snacks Instagram takeover! You can use discount code WHITNESS for 20% off | | |
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| | Wild Friends is just the most adorable food product, from their marketing style to the flavors. The team is all about creativity and making real food feel fun. Professional opinion: I really enjoy their pure products, both the almond and peanut butter for offering an easy to find (Sprouts/Central Market/Tom Thumb) two ingredient nut butter with a smooth consistency that's enticing for veggie dipping. I do prefer to avoid the sugar and sweetened options(and requested these not be sent) because they become more dessert like, very quickly. But, if you're transitioning picky eaters onto healthy options, this may work as a bridge from a more-sweetened version of peanut butter (*cough cough- Jif/Skippy/Peter Pan). We all start somewhere! Personal: The drippy almond butter for dipping my carrots + celery; 100% delicious and easiest for me to find at an economical price at Sprouts. It's often on sale, too! Provided: A six pack of pure flavors was provided for review, a giveaway & single-packs to give my patients at initial consults. How fun! Discount? Get a discount by ordering online with code FAITH20 (A random one I found with WikiBuy; win!) | | |
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| | Yes! Bar serves a mission I believe in; allowing allergen-laden children to feel normal and say "yes" to treats/bars just like their friends. Professional opinion: Although these bars aren't balanced, they serve as a great snack option with a punch of plant-based fats from nuts and seeds. There is ~7g of sugar, but for a 200+ calorie bar; this is acceptable. The sweetener? honey and/or maple syrup. Almost all their ingredients are organic and they are all pronounceable. They will definitely replace my patient's LARABAR go-tos. Personal: I can't put my finger on it, but these bars remind me of childhood. They're sweet yet satisfying and give me a perfect midday boost. Bonus: my picky husband loves these, too. (G'bye Clif bars!) Provided? I was provided bars for an upcoming lunch&learn series snack option. I reached out to the company just to say, "wow, I needed this as a child, I am so passionate about your mission!" Try my favorite flavors via Amazon;$2.50/bar - Chocolate macadamia nut & black sesame sea salt | | |
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| | Skinny dipped almonds Professional opinion: I have seen cult followings of this product but hadn't ever experienced them firsthand. I tried one of every flavor was pleasantly surprised(the rest were tested by patients due to the small presence of milkfat). The texture is satisying; somewhere between cocoa-roasted almonds and dark chocolate almonds, without enough glaze to melt onto your clothes. There's significantly less sugar than a traditional dark chocolate almonds and they serve as a great portioned dessert option, clocking in <300 calories for those needing a midday sweetness without an imminent crash. I do hope to see all traces of dairy removed to serve a greater population and decrease the confusion that often comes when people see dark chocolate and think, "there's no milk in here". The best flavor? Dark Chocolate Espresso, for sure, even with a coating that tends to stick to fingers. Although my mother was obsessed with the peanut butter. Provided? A box was provided for my nutrition challengers gift baskets and a few extra in exchange for review. Use code HEALTHNUT15 for 15% off any order | | |
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| | Real Food Bar This ATX based company provided their plant-based bars for review. I didn't enjoy the flavor/texture/mouthfeel although the ingredient list and micromanagement balance for a plant-based option was top notch! A few of my patients enjoyed them for their ability to keep them full until lunchtime, but overall, it wasn't a good Whitness Nutrition fit. I hope to see some revamping and another round of taste-testing in the future! | | |
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Fact: Nutritious relationships. |
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I attempted many different approaches in navigating healthy relationships in the past. Dating as a dietitian was hard. The normal commentary made on your salad, your early-morning workout, or desire for a sober evening? Intensify that by ten in the dating realm. How do you even find, create, and then sustain a healthy relationship? failed attempt #1 First, I tried the closet healthy version. I would make healthy eating choices, in the way I preferred, but when it came to date night, I dropped all my standards. I would order the special, the massive burger and fries, or the spaghetti. There’s nothing wrong with these options, but they certainly weren’t my preferred choice. I didn’t talk about my eating preferences, my food allergies, or my healthy lifestyle. I overcompensated for what I thought looked normal. And I usually ended up dealing with the digestive issues post-date from the dramatic shift in diet. Plus, was I attracting the type of person who shared by same values? Negative. failed attempt #2 Then, I played the health commander! I only dated individuals who I believed valued their health. To my 22-year-old self, that meant working out excessively, sharing an egg white spinach omelet, and shopping for athleisure. (Yes, I did actually meet most of them at the gym, on the stair stepper, how did you know?) But then I found myself alternatively stuffing my face with carbs and sugar when I wasn’t with them. I had swung in the absolute other direction where deprivation bubbled up. the key: patience and honesty Finally, after almost a decade of dating, I found my human and identified the silver bullet to a healthy relationship with an accompanying healthy body. My Chef Boyardee- and Rotel-loving husband didn’t know how to boil rice let alone braise a pork loin in 2009. After dating a slew of body builders and burger mongers, I found a patient and honest heart – the foundational qualities for a healthy relationship. The journey has been long and filled with trashed quinoa bowls, tears over bad beet cupcakes and the, “Eek, that’s the worst gluten-free muffin!” recipes, but we cook a mean plant-centered allergen-friendly meal thrice weekly these days. Save yourself from the mistakes I made and use the following tips to ensure you’re headed straight into a delicious lifestyle – together! I have to give credit where it’s due: these tips have been compromised by both members of Team Stuart read the rest below! |
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Proverbs 4:23 Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. What strategic actions are you implementing this week to ensure your heart is protected? For me, this means scheduling an hour, each week, to have time in The Word. Otherwise, I often let it slip aside, and my app just isn't enough. | | |
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Keep breaking rules with us. |
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Whitney (that's me!) believes that knowledge is power! This monthly blip has been generated to inspire healthy choices, catalyze nutrition knowledge & motivate the masses. |
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