Rapid Fire Reviews: Low-Carb Products

As I like to do here, I have put together some rapid fire reviews of some low carb products. Check out what is worth trying and what isn't...

Water Enhancers

I am the first to admit that I made a lot of fun of people who first got on the Mio bandwagon. Why? I actually LIKE water. However, this was all before I had no sugar in my life. As someone who really never thought of myself as having much of a sweet tooth, and not much of a soda drinker, I never thought I would love these water enhancers. WRONG. I am #dbsobsessed as you can see from the collection I have going.

Stur is made with Stevia and comes in a variety pack on Amazon, which is nice because you can try a lot of flavors and see which you like most. I like these ones quite a lot, especially the lemon iced tea flavor. However, with some of the flavors (namely the iced tea), you need to use more of it than you would with other brands, so it does not last for an incredibly long time.

I purchased Stur because I did not realize that pretty much ALL water enhancers are sugar free. So, now that I know that, I will more than likely not be using Stur again, because they are a bit too expensive for what you get.

Skinny Girl White Cherry- Yes, this is fairly sweet, but I really like it when I use it with about 1/2 of the suggested use, combined with lemon. DELISH and it lasts a long time. I have tried some of the other flavors from this brand and thought they were nothing more than ok. White Cherry is the only Skinny Girl Water Enhancer I would purchase again.

Arizona Iced Tea Brand Water Enhancers - I accidentally bought the Peach Green Tea flavor, not seeing the 'Peach' written on it. It is as gross as I would expect it to be. Arnold Palmer flavor is legit, and I like to add it to plain iced tea or water, depending on whether or not I am in need of caffeine. The plain lemon iced tea is good as well, but the Arnold Palmer flavor has less of an artificial taste to it.

Safeway Brand Refreshe Sports Drink Water Enhancers - I am pretty sure this does not have any of the benefits of an actual gatorade, but it still tastes pretty good when it is ice cold and you are incredibly thirsty. Blue is good. Strawberry is icknast.

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All Things Quest Nutrition 

I've really done my research here and have definite opinions for all of you... Enjoy!

Quest Chips: 
I heard they were terrible but went in with an open mind. The first I tried were BBQ and I thought they were good enough to eat again. Not the best chips I have had, by any means, but I was not expecting them to be. They have a much more tomato-based BBQ flavor than I was used to, but overall they were a nice change up to the low carb snacking routine.
Next, my taste tester for the night and I decided to taste both the Sour Cream and Onion + Cheddar and Sour Cream Flavors. No, no, no. Not only did we hate them when we first tried them, but later we could not even stand them as drunchies after splitting a couple of bottles of wine (not low carb I know...), but that is a VERY bad sign. I would not buy any of them again, even the BBQ, but it was by far the best option.

Quest Cravings Peanut Butter Cups:
So many shades of terrible. Spit out the first bite.

Quest Pasta:
TBD... Stay tuned here. I am honestly afraid to eat it because it comes pre-cooked in a pocket of slime.

Quest Protein Powder:
It is ok. Nothing more, nothing less. Because there are so many better options for chocolate protein shake mixes out there, I will not be picking up any more of this. It was boring, bland and not satisfying in terms of being like a delicious milkshake or glass of chocolate milk, which is pretty much what they are going for in terms of flavor, right?! 

However, I was given a pack of 12, and I will be using them for sure. Again, not HORRIBLE, but not something I would spend money on. Stay tuned for more info on my quest for a truly amazing protein powder.

Quest Bars:
I must say, I have heard from many friends that they love flavors I hate and vice versa. So, as you would expect, this is very much a matter of, well, taste. I suggest that if you plan on starting to eat these often, you order this variety pack from Amazon, trying them all and deciding which to go with in the future.

S'mores- meh. Boring
Cookies and Cream- I am a fan. There is a lot of cookie in these babies. So they are without a doubt more of a dessert flavor, which is not something I want at all times of the day. That being said, they are a great late afternoon pick me up if you need protein. My one complaint is that they can be somewhat dry because of all the cookie in them. I recently saw an Insta post about someone leaving it on the dash in the hot car while she was in the gym, saying it was delicious when melted. I am intrigued...
Lemon Cream Pie - For the most part I like this one a lot. The lemon flavor is less artificial than many of the others. However, I did get a box of them from Amazon that was seriously lackluster. I am hoping this is because it seems they were melted at some point, and that it was just this one batch. If that was in fact the case, this flavor is good for mornings, because it is not AS sweet as many of the others.
Cinnamon Roll - Without a doubt my favorite of all of the flavors, by a landslide. The flavor is actual cinnamon, so you avoid the artificial flavor being so overpowering. Again, good for morning because it is not as sweet as a number of the options.
Strawberry Cheesecake - I initially hated on these, but I have changed my mind. When you do not have them often, I think they can be a nice change of pace.
Chocolate Brownie - Somewhat chalky, but I guess it could do the trick for a chocolate fix. I am not into it.
Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough - Another great sweet flavor for more of a dessert taste. Top 5 for sure.
Vanilla Almond Crunch -Very artificial tasting. Pass.
Banana Nut Muffin - Yes this one of course has artificial flavor but I oddly liked it! I think it is because it was one I could actually eat for a meal replacement without feeling like I got punched in the face with a packet of Splenda.
Apple Pie - This is exactly where I learned about the feeling of being punched in the face by a packet of Splenda.
Peanut Butter + Jelly - Meh. Not for me, but I am not a huge PB or PB&J fan in general.
Chocolate Peanut Butter - Much like the Chocolate Brownie. Didn't do it for me. 
Mixed Berry - More Splenda face punches. Spit out the first bite.
Coconut Cashew - I so wanted to like this one. In theory, we were meant to be. However, VERY artificial tasting.

** Also pictured above are the Sweet Leaf Liquid Stevia Sweet Drops. I have not found a use for them that I like yet, but I am refraining from making a judgement call yet, as I think there are ways they could work. Stay tuned there. **

Buff Bake Protein Peanut Butter

I bought this before I went about making my own Almond Butter, and to be honest, I would not have purchased if I had tried the Almond Butter first, because that ish bomb.

Anyway... This is pretty good too. I like the flavor of the Cinnamon Raisin, but I also think that the texture is too runny for my personal tastes.