Celsius is a thermogenic soft drink introduced to the market in 2005.  According to the company, it was designed as a “healthier alternative” to energy drinks, sodas, coffee drinks, etc.  The 12 oz. drinks are fortified with a range of vitamins, minerals and nutraceuticals and come in seven different flavors: Cola, Orange, Wild Berry, Ginger Ale, Lemon Lime, Raspberry Acai and Peach Mango.

Manufacturer’s Description: “Celsius is powered by MetaPlus™, a proprietary, scientifically validated combination of quality ingredients that work together to burn calories by revving up your metabolism and providing a sustained energy boost.

It’s the right ingredients in the right combination!  Celsius combines the health benefits of green tea, vitamins and more to boost your metabolism over a three a 3-hour period so that you burn fat calories as fuel.”

Serving Size 12 fl. oz. Calories 10 Total Carbohydrates 1g Sugar 0g Vitamin C 60mg 100% Riboflavin 1.7mg 100% Niacin 20mg 100%	Vitamin B6 2mg 100% Vitamin B12 6mcg 100% Biotin 300mcg 100% Pantothenic Acid 10mg 100% Calcium 50mg 5% Chromium (chelate) 50mcg 41% Sodium 6mg <1%
MetaPlus™ 1,810mg Taurine, Guarana extract (seed), Green Tea leaf extract standardized to 10% EGCG, Caffeine, Glucuronolactone, Ginger ExtractOther Ingredients: Filtered Water, Natural Colors, Natural Flavors, Citric Acid, Sucralose Contains 200mg total caffeine per serving

Comments: Although Celsius has been around for a while, I wasn’t aware of it until last month, when it first appeared on the shelves of my local Fred Meyer store.  It looked like an interesting product, so I decided to pick up a couple of 4 packs to try. At $5.99 each, they weren’t exactly cheap, although – in fairness – they cost a lot less than most popular energy drinks (a 4 pack of 12 oz. Red Bull, for example, was $9.99).

I was pretty pleased with the purchase.  Both the Cola and Raspberry Acai flavors were light and pretty refreshing.  Ginger is one of the main ingredients in Celsius, and the flavor was fairly pronounced… it blended in well with the Cola, but tended to dominate the Raspberry Acai. This was ok, though, because I happen to like ginger. Used before a workout, Celsius provided a decent lift, as a good jolt of caffeine should.

While I liked the drinks, I liked the marketing even more.  Unlike many “diet” products and supplements, Celsius makes ZERO claims for weight loss.  Rather, the label and web site state that consuming Celsius:

BURNS UP TO 100 CALORIES or more per can*

Raises metabolism over a three hour period*

Sustains energy*

And – surprise, surprise – these claims are supported by research… NOT on the individual ingredients, but on the product itself.  Four studies have been conducted on Celsius, and all were performed by reputable researchers working in established institutions (The Ohio Research Group and the University of Oklahoma).

So color me impressed: the company deserves a lot of credit for its transparency and commitment to quality.  It’s a rare thing to see in this industry.

So as far as I’m concerned, Celsius gets two thumbs up.  It contains the same ingredients (and jolt) provided by popular energy drinks; yet it tastes better, is less expensive and is produced by a company willing to go the extra mile to establish the credibility of its product… what is there not to like?

Taste: 4.5/5.0

Quality: 5.0/5.0

Efficacy: 5.0/5.0

Value: 4.0/5.0

Overall: 4.5/5.0

Would You Like To Rate And/Or Comment On This Product? Click Here!

iSatori Technologies is a company that’s fairly well-known in the bodybuilding/fitness world.  The name may already be familar, as iSatori supplements (such as Curvelle, Lean System 7 and Morph) are reviewed elsewhere on the site.  Eat Smart is a meal replacement powder (MRP), that complements iSatori’s fat loss and muscle-building product lines.  It comes in four flavors: Chocolate Chocolate Chip, Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup, Double Vanilla Ice Cream and Strawberry Cheesecake.

Manufacturer’s Description: Eat-Smart contains only the highest quality proteins, whole-food/low-glycemic carbohydrates, “good” fats, and added fiber. There’s absolutely no fructose, aspartame, corn syrups, hydrogenated oils, or unhealthy fats…Eat-Smart makes a perfect meal anytime, and supplies your body with the nutrients it needs to recover from physical exercise, sustain your energy levels, and build a healthy, new you.

Calories 140 Calories From Fat 25 Total Fat 3g Saturated Fat 0.5g Trans Fat 0g Cholesterol 20mg Sodium 250mg Potassium 250mg Total Carbohydrate 9g Dietary Fiber 4g Sugars 1g Protein 19g	Vitamin A 10% Vitamin C 10% Calcium 15% Iron 10% Vitamin D 10% Vitamin E 10% Vitamin K 10% Thiamin 10% Riboflavin 10% Niacin 10% Vitamin B6 10% Folate 10%	Vitamin B12 10% Biotin 10% Pantothenic Acid 10% Phosphorus 13% Iodine 10% Magnesium 11% Zinc 10% Selenium 10% Copper 10% Manganese 10% Chromium 10% Molybdenum 10%
Ingredients: Whey Protein Isolate, Whey Protein Concentrate, Calcium Caseinate, Fibersol® (Fiber), Nutrim™ (Oat Bran), High Oleic-Sunflower Oil, Natural And Artificial Flavors, Cocoa Powder (Dutch Process), Buttermilk, Silicon Dioxide, Cellulose Gum, Sodium Chloride, Lecithin, Fructooligosaccharides, L-Glutamine, Carrageenan, Potassium Chloride, Sucralose, Disodium Phosphate, Vitamin/mineral Blend (Ascorbic Acid, DL-Alpha Tocopheryl Acetate, Ferrous Phosphate, Niacinamide, Zinc Oxide, D-Calcium Pantothenate, Thiamin Hydrochloride, Riboflavin, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Copper Sulfate, Manganese Sulfate, Vitamin A Palmitate, Folic Acid, Biotin, Potassium Iodide, Chromium Polynicotinate, Phytonadione, Sodium Molybdate, Sodium Selenite, Cholecalciferol, Cyanocobalamin), Dipotassium Phosphate, Magnesium Oxide, Flaxseed Powder, Lactobacillus Acidophilus, Bifidobacterium Bifidum

Comments: Eat Smart uses a standard, but reliable whey-casein blend, along with some good sources of dietary fiber and a small amount of fat from sunflower oil high in oleic acid (similar to olive oil). The probiotics are also a nice touch…although iSatori doesn’t supply any information on the number or viability of the cultures used. Thus, while the Lactobacilli and Bifidobacteria add value, I’m not convinced Eat Smart is a replacement for a good probiotic supplement or equivalent functional food product (such as kefir or yogurt made w/live cultures).

It’s a minor point, though—it certainly didn’t keep me from ordering a package of the Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup to check out. I’m glad I did…I thought it was quite decent in water (preferably chilled, or blended w/ice) and amazing in milk—very yummy. It was also easy to blend into liquid—there was virtually no clumping, even when using a spoon or shaker bottle.

I also liked the fact that Eat Smart is sold in bulk, rather than individual serving packets. This allowed me to customize the portion to my appetite, vs. consuming a pre-measured amount. One scoop made a good snack…two was a pretty filling meal.

My one complaint is that Eat Smart is a little weak on the vitamin and mineral side of things. It’s not unusual for an MRP to supply 25%–50% of the RDA for most vites and minerals per serving. Eat Smart, on the other hand, supplies only about 10% per scoop. I don’t see this as a deal breaker, however, as I (and most of the people I know) already take a multivitamin. Nonetheless, it’s something to consider for those who don’t.

Nonetheless, the bottom line is that Eat Smart is a well-made, satisfying and tasty MRP that’s low in calories and carbs. I liked it a lot…and I think you will too. It’s available directly from Isatori here!

Taste: 5.0/5.0

Quality: 5.0/5.0

Efficacy: 5.0/5.0

Value: 3.5/5.0

Overall: 4.5/5.0

Would You Like To Rate And/Or Comment On This Product? Click Here!

“Right Size Hunger Smashing Smoothies” are the creations of the Right Size Health and Nutrition Corporation.  They market meal replacements (similar to Slim Fast, in principle), as well as a multivitamin and “AppAssure” – a “metabolism manager” (i.e., weight loss supplement).  The meal replacements come in both powder and ready-to-drink form, in “Chocolate Mousse Reduce” and “SkinniVanilli” flavors.

Manufacturer’s Description: Chocolate Mousse Reduce provides a delicious, rich chocolate flavor. Each bottle contains 2 ready to drink liquid servings. Like all RightSize flavors, Chocolate Mousse Reduce contains Appemine™ a new, cutting edge all-natural appetite manager. Appemine™ is derived from green tea, cinnamon twig, and galangal. Appemine™ is clinically proven to powerfully control appetite and CONTAINS NO EPHEDRINE! Each smoothie also contains 50% of over 20 essential vitamins and minerals including vitamins B6 and B12 which are known to be important in the metabolism of carbohydrates and fats. Unlike diet shakes that taste bad and leave you hungry, RightSize tastes great, knocks-out hunger cravings, helps metabolize calories and fat and has exceptional nutritional value.

Directions: Drink 1 – 2 servings of a RightSize Smoothie in place of a meal to reduce calorie intake, fight hunger and lose weight.

Serving Size 8 fl oz (240ml) Servings Per Container: About 2 Calories 150 Calories from Fat 25 Total Fat 3g Saturated Fat 1.5g Trans Fat 0g Polyunsaturated Fat 0g Monounsaturated Fat 1g Cholesterol 25mg Sodium 380mg Potassium 500mg Total Carbohydrate 21g	Dietary Fiber 4g Sugars 16g Protein 8g Vitamin A 50% Vitamin C 50% Calcium 30% Iron 4% Vitamin D 50% Vitamin E 50% Thiamine 50% Riboflavin 50% Niacin 50% Vitamin B6 50%	Folate 50% Vitamin B12 50% Biotin 50% Pantothenic Acid 50% Phosphorus 30% Iodine 50% Magnesium 50% Zinc 50% Selenium 50% Copper 50% Manganese 50% Chromium 100% Molybdenum 50%
Ingredients: Low Fat Milk, Fructose, Cocoa Processed with Alkali, Gellan Gum, Sodium Citrate, Potassium Citrate, Sodium Phosphate, Carrageenan, Natural and Artificial Flavor, Sucralose (Nonnutritive Sweetener), Salt, Acesulfame K (Nonnutritive Sweetener) Mineral Blend: (Magnesium Phosphate, Zinc Citrate, Sodium Molybdate, Chromium Dinicotinate Glycinate, Manganese Sulfate, Copper Citrate, Sodium Selenate and Potassium Iodide) Appemine™: (Providing 50mg of Caffeine) (Soluble Fiber Glucose Polymer Complex, Guarana Seed Extract, Green Tea Leaf Extract, Cinnamon Twig Extract, Galangal Rhizone Extract, Cayenne Pepper Fruit and White Willow Bark Extract) Vitamin Blend: (Sodium Ascorbate, DL-Alpha Tocopherol Acetate, Biotin, Niacinamide, Retinyl Palmitate, Calcium Pantothenate, Folic Acid, Cholecalciferol, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Thiamin Mononitrate, Riboflavin and Cyanocobalamin) Glycemic Support Blend: [Vanadyl Sulfate (Supplying 200mcg of Vanadium) and Chromium Polynicotinate]

Comments: I’ve already discussed Right Size on the blog – these products are NOT cheap, and on the face of it, not special enough to warrant the cost.

BUT…to be fair, I ordered a 4 pack of “Chocolate Mousse Reduce” ready-to-drink smoothies to check out…at $12.80, they were the least expensive items available for purchase. I waited until I was hungry, then downed an entire 14 oz smoothie (1.75 servings) + a glass of water (a recommended step), to see how effective it would really be at curbing my hunger.

The answer: not very. It tasted good, but went down quickly…too quickly to register that I’d consumed a meal. I started to feel a bit peckish after only about an hour. So, to take my mind off it, I decided to get up from the keyboard and go do some grocery shopping…big mistake. The minute I walked past the deli display the hunger pangs kicked in. The “Powerful Weight Loss Tool” I’d consumed held me less than two hours.

This came as no surprise, however, as there’s really very little to one of these smoothies. You could dupe one simply by adding Sugar-Free Nesquik and a spoonful of FiberSure to a glass of low fat milk, and chasing it with a Centrum or One-A-Day.  And you’d do better with some Curvelle or Lean System 7, or an even more inexpensive supp like Green Tea Hydroxycut - vs. a non-specific blend like Appemine.

Realistically, a “Right Size” smoothie could serve as a between meal snack or “fix” for a chocolate craving…but – in my opinion – it’s ineffective as a meal replacement and appetite suppressant.

Taste: 3.5/5.0

Quality: 3.0/5.0

Efficacy: 2.0/5.0

Value: 2.0/5.0

Overall: 2.5/5.0

Visitor Rating: Would You Like To Rate And/Or Comment On This Product? Click Here!

As the name implies, Supreme Protein, Inc. markets protein products.  In addition to their line of protein bars, there’s Vectron, an “Extreme Physique Enhancing Agent.”  Vectron is based on Prolibra® – a proprietary whey protein isolate made by Glanbia, that’s designed to enhance fat loss.  Vectron comes in two flavors: chocolate and vanilla.

Manufacturer’s Description: Vectron is a truly innovative, first-of-its-kind supplemental protein designed to promote simultaneous fat loss and muscle preservation.  Vectron is powered an elite new fractionated protein complex called Prolibra.  This breakthrough technology features a potent bioactive peptide matrix along with a special whey mineral complex designed to target key mechanisms of body transformation.

Serving size: 1 Scoop (17 g) Amount Per Serving: Calories 60 Calories from Fat 9 Total fat 1 g Trans Fat 0 Saturated Fat 0 g Cholesterol 0 mg

Total Carbohydrates 1.5 g Dietary Fiber 0 g Sugars 0 g Protein 10 g Sodium 140 mg Potassium 50 mg Calcium 350 mg Phosphorous 130 mg

Ingredients: Prolibra 12.2TM Prolibra® 290 (partially hydrolyzed whey protein isolate, whey mineral complex, lecithin), Sunflower Oil Blend (sunflower oil, corn syrup solids, sodium caseinate (a milk derivative), Mon- and Diglycerides, Dipotassium Phosphate. Contains less than 2% or less of Tricalcium Phosphate, Soy Lecithin, Tocopherols added to help protect flavor), Cellulose Gum, Xantham Gum, Natural and Artificial Flavor, Sucralose.

Comments: I’ve commented on Prolibra before, as I feel that the study validating the effectiveness of the product did not resolve the question of whether any whey isolate would do the job just as well.  At the time, Prolibra was quite expensive, although – as of this writing - the bulk reseller price has come down considerably, so this isn’t as critical as it once was.  Supreme Protein’s version is still pricey for a whey protein isolate, but not out of line with other, smaller (< 2 lb) units sold in health food stores and other non-sports-oriented retail outlets…the price from ProSource (Supreme Protein’s parent company) was $26.95 for 714 grams (1.57 pounds).

I ordered the vanilla flavor – my usual, when it comes to whey products (it goes with everything).  I have to admit, Vectron was unarguably the best-tasting whey protein powder I’ve ever tried.   In addition, it was mildly satisfying.  I used it according to instructions (1 scoop 20 minutes before breakfast and the same before dinner), and it seemed to take the edge off my appetite.  I didn’t lose any weight or fat (wasn’t trying to), and it didn’t really affect how much I ate…but it did seem to hold me a little longer – not bad for only 10 g of protein.

There are some negatives: a) as noted, it isn’t cheap; and b) it falls somewhat short of my standards for a protein powder: it’s a notch under 60% protein (I prefer to see 75%-90%).  It isn’t a miracle powder: the subjects in Glanbia’s study were on a fat loss program, in addition to taking Prolibra, and the results were not overwhelming.  I can see, however, some use for a product like this on a fat loss diet, as it adds some high quality, supplemental protein (which can help preserve lean body mass on a diet), and provides modest assistance with appetite control.

Taste: 5.0/5.0

Quality: 4.0/5.0

Efficacy: 3.0/5.0

Value: 2.5/5.0

Overall: 3.5/5.0

Visitor Rating: Would You Like To Rate And/Or Comment On This Product? Click Here!

“Perfect Meal” is a meal replacement powder produced by Garden Of Life, as a part of CEO Jordan Rubin’s “Perfect Weight America” program. Other weight management products included in the program are FucoTHIN (a weight loss supplement) and FucoProtein bars. Perfect Meal comes in two flavors: Milk Chocolate and Creamy Vanilla.

Manufacturer’s Description: Perfect Meal^™ is a delicious and satisfying high protein and high fiber drink designed to be used as a meal supplement, available in two great tasting natural flavors: creamy vanilla and milk chocolate. As part of a healthy diet and exercise program, Perfect Meal^™ will help you successfully manage your weight by naturally curbing your appetite.

Serving Size: 47 g (2 scoops) Servings Per Container: 14 Calories 180 Calories from Fat 10 Total Fat 1 g Saturated Fat 0.5 g Cholesterol 45 mg Sodium 95 mg

Total Carbohydrate 24 g Dietary Fiber 5 g Sugars 3 g Protein 19 g Vitamin C 50 mg Calcium 275 mg Iron 1 mg Chromium 200 mcg

Native Whey Protein Undenatured, Bioactive, Minimally Processed, with Glycomacropeptide – 25 g Fibertrol Blend Konjac Glucomannan, Organic Oat Beta Glucan, Oat Fiber – 6 g Glycemic Balance Blend Calcified Red Algae, Organic Acerola Cherry, Chromium Rice Amino Complex (chelate) – 880 mg Proprietary Probiotic Blend Lactobacillus plantarum, Bifidobacterium lactis, Bifidobacterium bifidum, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Bifidobacterium breve, Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus salivarius, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bifidobacterium longum, Lactobacillus paracasei – 6 mg Other Ingredients: Xylitol, natural flavors, salt.

Comments: I picked up individual packets of both Perfect Meal flavors from “Christine’s Cleanse Corner” – not one of my usual haunts, but the first vendor I found that offered single servings. This made the meals rather more expensive per serving ($3.50 each)…buying the larger, 658 g containers would have brought the price more in line with other MRPs (roughly $2.00 per serving).

Nonetheless, I’m glad I bought only the two sample packets. The Perfect Meal powders are classic examples of the cliche, “if it tastes bad, it must be good for you.” Ok, that’s probably a bit harsh: they didn’t really taste “bad”…but they didn’t taste particularly good, either…the flavors were flat and watery and the glucomannan used in the fiber blend caused the shakes to thicken excessively before I could finish them.

I daresay they’re healthy enough: the shakes are made with whey protein concentrate and soluble dietary fiber, with added vitamins, minerals and probiotics. They contain no artificial sweeteners or other superfluous additives. They’re low in calories and feature a reduced amount of low glycemic index carbs (company literature states the GI of the shakes is 14 – which is very low). They also made some impact on my appetite, although the effect was only sustained for about 2 hours.

All told, the Perfect Meal powders could make a good, healthy, snack-on-the-run, provided you’re more concerned with the benefits than you are with the taste.

Taste: 2.5/5.0

Quality: 5.0/5.0

Efficacy: 4.0/5.0

Value: 3.0/5.0

Overall: 3.5/5.0

Visitor Rating: Would You Like To Rate And/Or Comment On This Product? Click Here!

The “South Beach Living” line of products is produced by Kraft Foods, which manufactures frozen meals, snacks, dressings, cookies and bars suitable for the South Beach Diet.  The bars are designed to be relatively high in protein, with reduced carbs, fat and calories.  The Crispy Meal Bars come in five flavors: Chocolate, Chocolate Peanut Butter, Cinnamon Creme, Caramel Peanut and Vanilla Creme.

Manufacturer’s Description: SOUTH BEACH LIVING SANDWICHES CRISPY MEAL BAR CHOCOLATE PEANUT BUTTER Keep that classic combination of Chocolate and Peanut Butter close at hand with our Crispy Meal bar—even when you’re on the run. Every bar is packed 23 vitamins and minerals, 19 grams of protein, and loads of rich chocolate and peanut flavor. Buy individually or in 6-packs.

Serving Size 60g Servings per package 1 Amount Per Serving Calories 210 Calories from Fat 60 Total Fat 7g Saturated Fat 3g Cholesterol 0mg Sodium 350mg Total Carbohydrate 26g Dietary Fiber 6g Sugars 1g	Protein 19g Vitamin A 50% Vitamin C 100% Calcium 10% Iron 25% Vitamin E 100% Vitamin K 25% Thiamin 25% Riboflavin 25% Niacin 25% Vitamin B6 25% Folic Acid 25%	Vitamin B12 25% Biotin 25% Pantothenic Acid 25% Phosphorus 20% Iodine 25% Magnesium 15% Zinc 25% Selenium 25% Copper 25% Manganese 25% Chromium 25% Molybdenum 25%
Ingredients: SOY PROTEIN CRISPS (SOY PROTEIN ISOLATE, TAPIOCA STARCH, SALT), MALTITOL SYRUP, PEANUT BUTTER (ROASTED GROUND PEANUTS), INULIN (FOR FIBER), FRACTIONATED PALM KERNEL OIL, GLYCERIN, MALTITOL, OLIGOFRUCTOSE (FOR FIBER), CONTAINS LESS THAN 2% OF NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL FLAVOR, MILK PROTEIN ISOLATE, NONFAT MILK, MILK PROTEIN CONCENTRATE, CHOCOLATE, COCOA, COCOA PROCESSED WITH ALKALI, PEANUT OIL, SOY LECITHIN, BUTTER (CREAM, SALT), HEAVY CREAM, SALT, MONOGLYCERIDES, CARRAGEENAN, CARAMEL COLOR, FISH GELATIN, SUCRALOSE. VITAMINS AND MINERALS: BETA CAROTENE, ASCORBIC ACID (VITAMIN C), CALCIUM PHOSPHATE, FERRIC ORTHOPHOSPHATE (IRON), VITAMIN E ACETATE, PHYTONADIONE (VITAMIN K1), THIAMIN MONONITRATE (VITAMIN B1), RIBOFLAVIN (VITAMIN B2), NIACINAMIDE, VITAMIN B6, FOLIC ACID, VITAMIN B12, BIOTIN, CALCIUM PANTOTHENATE, POTASSIUM IODIDE, MAGNESIUM OXIDE, ZINC OXIDE, SODIUM SELENITE, COPPER GLUCONATE, MANGANESE SULFATE, CHROMIUM CHLORIDE, SODIUM MOLYBDATE.

Comments: I picked up three flavors of the Crispy Meal Bars at my local grocery store: Chocolate Peanut Butter (described above), Chocolate and Caramel Peanut Butter.

The bars are reminiscent of Rice Krispie or granola bars, in that they have a cereal-like base composed of soy crisps. The bars more-or-less lived up to their name (although I thought they were more crunchy-chewy than “crispy”), and were sweet, without being overpowering. The bar flavors were pretty good, too.

Despite the name, however, I’d hesitate to call these “meal” bars…yes, they contain a decent amount of protein and are fortified with a range of nutrients, but the calories are low, and they simply aren’t as satiating as genuine food. Rather, I’d see these bars as “value-added” treats or – at best – an occasional snack or dessert. And the emphasis should be on “occasional” from a practical perspective as well: these bars are fairly high in sugar alcohols, which are useful if you’re trying to cut cals/carbs, but can also cause diarrhea and flatulence if consumed in excess.

Taste: 4.0/5.0

Quality: 3.0/5.0

Efficacy: 4.0/5.0

Value: 3.5/5.0

Overall: 3.5/5.0

Would You Like To Rate And/Or Comment On This Product? Click Here!

Slim Fast is a well-known brand of functional food products designed for weight loss.  The line has expanded from the original, ready-to-drink shakes into meal bars, snacks and powders.  The “Optima” products feature lower carbs and sugar than the “Original” Slim Fast products. 

Slim Fast Optima Bars come in 10 flavors: Milk Chocolate Peanut, Chocolate Cookie Dough, Caramel Crispy Peanut, Oatmeal Raisin, Rich Chocolate Brownie, Strawberry Cheesecake, Blueberry Crisp, Chewy Granola Trail Mix, Chewy Granola Peanut Butter and Chewy Granola Chocolate Chip.

Manufacturer’s Description: 25% Less Sugar (This meal bar contains 16g of sugar. Our Oatmeal Raisin meal bar contains 22g of sugar) than our Oatmeal Raisin meal bar. 220 Calories. Great taste. 22 Vitamins & minerals. 30% of Daily Calcium. Naturally & artificial flavored. Slim-Fast Optima Meal Bars, when used as part of the Slim-Fast Plan, help you control the amount of calories you eat, and provide you with the balanced nutrition you need throughout the day.

Serving Size 1 Bar (56g) Calories 220 Fat Cal 45 Total Fat 5g’ Saturated Fat 3g Trans Fat 0g Cholesterol < 5mg Sodium 75mg Potassium 150mg Total Carbohydrate 35g Dietary Fiber 1g Sugars 17g	Sugar Alcohol 11g Protein 8g Vitamin A 35% Calcium 30% Vitamin D 35% Vitamin K 25% Riboflavin 35% Vitamin B6 35% Vitamin B12 35% Pantothenic Acid 35% Iodine 35% Zinc 15%	Chromium 30% Vitamin C 35% Iron 15% Vitamin E 35% Thiamin 15% Niacin 35% Folate 15% Biotin 35% Phosphorus 25% Magnesium 35% Selenium 25% Molybdenum 35%
Ingredients: Maltitol Syrup, Raisins, Yogurt Flavored Coating [Sugar, Partially Hydrogenated Palm Kernel Oil, Nonfat Milk, Nonfat Yogurt Powder (Cultured Whey, Nonfat Milk), Soy Lecithin, Caramel Color, Natural Flavor], Rolled Oats, Calcium Caseinate, Graham Cookie Pieces [Wheat Flour, Sugar, Graham Flour, Partially Hydrogenated Soybean and/or Cottonseed Oil, Salt, Sodium Bicarbonate (leavening agent)], Soy Protein Isolate, High Maltose Corn Syrup, Milk Protein Isolate, High Fructose Corn Syrup, Soybean Oil, Lemon Juice from Concentrate, Cinnamon, Artificial Flavor, Cellulose Gel, Maltodextrin, Honey, Guar Gum and Soy Lecithin

Comments: The Optima bars are sold open stock at my local Fred Meyer, so I picked up a couple of samples: the Oatmeal Raisin (above) and the Caramel Crispy Peanut. They’re roughly the size of a standard candy bar, and are designed with that taste/texture in mind. The Oatmeal Raisin bar had a white, “yogurt” coating surrounding a chewy, slightly crunchy base, while the Caramel Crispy Peanut was chocolate-coated, with a gooey caramel layer.

Both bars had pretty good flavors, but were unbearably sweeeeeeet…I’ve eaten straight-up candy that wasn’t this cloying. But this is a problem with the whole “Slim Fast” diet concept: the R & D folks at Unilever (the manufacturer) evidently believe that people can’t deal with a program that doesn’t provide ample amounts of sugar. For example, the sample diet I got from the Slim Fast website featured the Optima shakes for meals, along with three fruit snacks. Sure, fruit’s good for you, but it’s also sweet. Following this plan as written would mean consuming the majority of my daily carbs as simple sugars. Anyone who’s addicted to sweets would have a hell of a time with this: constantly feeding a “sweet tooth” is no way to go about breaking the habit.

The label claims that a bar “controls hunger for up to 4 hours.” To test this, I substituted a whole Oatmeal Raisin bar for my usual mid-morning snack. It was kinda-sorta satisfying…I would have liked more food, as I didn’t feel like I’d eaten a meal, but I wasn’t actually feeling hunger pangs, either – so I just had a cup of (unsweetened) tea, and let it go.

I was ready to eat again in 2 hours. This isn’t even close to the promised 4 h, but I expect this is why Unilever inserted the words “up to” on the product label. Nothing like a loophole…

I suppose Optima bars aren’t too different from a lot of other protein bars, except for the fact that they really don’t provide much protein…so I don’t really see a lot of use for these, except as an occasional, “value-added candy fix” for a sugar craving. Like Paul, I’m no fan of the Slim Fast plan, so I wouldn’t encourage regular use of these products for weight loss.

Taste: 3.5/5.0

Quality: 2.5/5.0

Efficacy: 2.5/5.0

Value: 3.5/5.0

Overall: 3.0/5.0

Visitor Rating: Would You Like To Rate And/Or Comment On This Product? Click Here!

Quaker Instant Oatmeal should be a pretty familar product to most people – even if they skip it (like I typically do) in favor of the plain, old fashioned variety. The “Weight Control” line has a similar look and feel to the company’s single-serving, flavored oatmeals, but have added soluble fiber and protein (from whey protein isolate), and contain less than 1 gram of sugar per serving.

Manufacturer’s Description: Quaker Weight Control Oatmeal is a delicious way to help you lose weight. Research shows that people who ate Quaker Weight Control Oatmeal as part of a reduced calorie diet with moderate exercise lost weight.

With 7 grams of protein, 6 grams of fiber and whole grain oats, Quaker Weight Control Oatmeal can help you feel satisfied.

Serving Size 1 Packet (45g) Calories 160 Calories from Fat 25 Total Fat 3g Saturated Fat 0.5g Polyunsaturated Fat 1g Monounsaturated Fat 1g Trans Fat 0g Cholesterol 0mg	Sodium 310mg Potassium 150mg Total Carbohydrate 29g Dietary Fiber 6g Soluble Fiber 4g Sugars 1g Protein 7g Vitamin A 20% Vitamin C 0%	Calcium 10% Iron 20% Thiamin 20% Riboflavin 20% Niacin 20% Vitamin B6 20% Folic Acid 20% Phosphorus 15% Magnesium 10%
Ingredients: WHOLE GRAIN ROLLED OATS, WHEY PROTEIN ISOLATE, MALTODEXTRIN, NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL FLAVORS, SALT, OAT FLOUR, CALCIUM CARBONATE, GUAR GUM, CARAMEL COLOR, SOY LECITHEN, ACESULFAME POTASSIUM, SUCRALOSE, NIACINAMIDE, VITAMIN A PALMITATE, REDUCED IRON, PYRIDOXINE HYDROCHLORIDE, RIBOFLAVIN, THIAMIN MONONITRATE, FOLIC ACID

Comments: I purchased the 3 flavor “variety pack” – which contains the Maple Brown Sugar, Cinnamon and Banana Bread flavors. It was simple enough to fix: I blended one packet with 3/4 c. water, and nuked it on “high” for 1 1/2 minutes.

The first thing that hit me when I dug into the “Maple & Brown Sugar” flavor was the faux maple flavor – it virtually screamed “artificial.” I don’t blame Quaker specifically for this, however. The reality is that “maple” is just one of those flavors that’s been tough to duplicate successfully (”Log Cabin” and other pancake syrups don’t taste anything like genuine maple syrup, IMHO). Ditto the sweetening: which I felt was overdone. I ended up dousing mine with some milk, to turn down the volume.

The oatmeal (plus milk) was reasonably filling, though. The added fiber and protein almost certainly help with that. The 6 grams of fiber in one serving represents close to one-quarter of the minimum recommended amount per day, so it’s a fairly significant amount. As “diet” cereals go, I’d put it ahead of “Special K” and similar boxed, “ready-to-eat” fare.

A word about the touted research study, however: as can be seen from the details, this was one of those studies I described on the blog, where the “deck” was stacked in favor of the conclusion the researchers wished to draw. In this case, subjects on a 500 calorie deficit/exercise program were compared to controls who did only the exercise. Not surprisingly, the folks who cut their cals lost a modest amount of weight, while the controls didn’t. The fact that the test group also ate a serving of oatmeal each day is secondary to the fact that they reduced total calories in the process (and may have made other healthy dietary changes as well). Eating oatmeal certainly isn’t a bad idea on a diet (unless you’re severely limiting carbs), and consuming the Quaker product is one way to do that…but then again, simply adding a scoop of protein powder to some regular ol’ oatmeal will accomplish the exact same thing (and provide even more protein in the bargain).

Taste: 3.0/5.0

Quality: 3.0/5.0

Efficacy: 3.5/5.0

Value: 3.0/5.0

Overall: 3.0/5.0

Would You Like To Rate And/Or Comment On This Product? Click Here!