Pudology Skinny Desserts Review

Pudology, makers of gluten free, dairy free and free-from-refined sugars luxurious desserts, have introduced two new varieties that even those watching their weight can enjoy.

The new desserts are called Pudology Skinny and they’re available in two varieties: Lemon & Yuzu Puds and Chocolate & Raspberry Puds.

They’re both gluten and dairy free, but they’re also low in calories with just 60 calories and 59 calories per pot respectively.
I was happy to receive some samples of the new range of skinny desserts from Pudology.

Pudology Skinny Puds selection

I had previously noticed Pudology desserts during my supermarket trawls, however, I haven’t seen tempted to buy any, mainly because they’re high in calories. But the new Pudology Skinny puds are served up in tiny pots (50g) so it’s really quite easy not to overindulge.

About Pudology’s new Skinny desserts:

‘Gluten-free, dairy-free, guilt-free desserts with no eggs or refined sugar AND less than 60 calories per pot, Pudology is the science of making free-from desserts taste simply divine without breaking your bank balance or bursting your waistline! The first desserts of their kind, these new skinny pots use a potato protein to create the ultimate in indulgence. Pudology is different, but still delicious, and what's more – everyone can eat them. Yes, even vegetarians. And vegans. And coeliacs.’

I tried the Lemon & Yuzu Pud first. Described as ‘A coconut & lemon dessert with yuzu juice & Sicilian lemon oil’.

Because they’re so small, it’s best to eat them with a teaspoon and take very tiny amounts at a time. The top of the dessert has a firmer crust, a bit like you find on clotted cream. I think this is the coconut cream (which it’s made from) which has risen to the top and set. It’s gorgeous!

Pudology Skinny Lemon & Yuzu Pud

The dessert is smooth and creamy, with a slight lemon tang. It tastes like lemon cheesecake. Absolutely delicious. I had no idea what a ‘yuzu’ was so had to look it up. Apparently it’s mainly from Japan, Korea and China and is likened to a cross between a mandarin and lemon.

The Chocolate & Raspberry Pud was next. It’s described as: ‘A coconut & chocolate dessert with a raspberry sauce’. It’s similar to the Lemon & Yuzu in that it’s made predominantly from coconut milk. The top layer is again set, with a smooth, thick layer of rich chocolate ganache and tastes incredibly indulgent. Then at the bottom is a layer of raspberry puree. Heaven!

Pudology Skinny Chocolate & Raspberry Pud

All the family loved them. Eldest daughter, who's following the 5:2 diet, was overjoyed to be able include one of these in her menu. Even my youngest who dislikes all berries, loved the chocolate pud with raspberry puree.

These desserts are suitable for those who aren’t able to tolerate or are cutting down on gluten. They’re also for those who can’t digest lactose or going dairy free and who can’t eat eggs. And of course, they’re helpful for those on a weight loss or weight maintenance diet because they’re portioned controlled to be low in calories.

Pudology Skinny Puds

Although free from refined sugar, that doesn’t mean they’re sugar free. Sweetness is achieved from coconut blossom sugar, apple juice or agave. They’re both in the medium traffic light category for sugar and per pot, have a little over a teaspoon worth of sugar.

I don't usually eat desserts like these, but the perfect portion control coupled with an ingredients which is not a million miles long and doesn’t read like a chemistry book, has totally converted me.

I was sent these sample for review purposes and always give my honest opinion, even when I don’t like something. In the case of these desserts, I can’t fault them. If I’d seen them in the supermarket I would have purchased them anyway and I will certainly be buying them when I next do my family shopping.

I was also sent a sample of Pudology’s Smooth Chocolate Orange puds. Like the Skinny versions, they're made from coconut milk and are gluten and dairy free. These are not low calorie with 260 calories per 85g pot. I tried a little bit and, wow, this one tasted like pure melted chocolate orange. I let hubby finish it off!

Pudology Smooth chocolate Orange Pud

The Skinny Pudology range will be sold in Sainsbury’s stores (currently in 88 stores) as well as selected Waitrose stores for £1 per two pots.

Ingredients: Lemon & Yuzu Puds: Coconut water, organic agave nectar, coconut cream (12%) (coconut water), lemon juice (95%), potato starch, potato protein, yuzu juice (2.5%), Sicilian Lemon Oil.

Nutrition: Lemon & Yuzu Puds per 50g pot: 60 Calories, 1.6g fat, 1.2g saturated fat, 11.1g carbs, 6.7g sugars, 0.6g protein, 0.2g fibre, 0.05g salt.

Ingredients: Chocolate & Raspberry Puds: Chocolate ganache (71%) (Coconut water, coconut cream (14%) (coconut water), potato starch, potato protein, cocoa, coconut sap, dark chocolate (1%) (cocoa mass, coconut blossom sugar (33%), cocoa butter)), raspberry compote (29%), (raspberries (50%), apple juice concentrate, water, cornflour, lemon juice concentrate, natural flavourings, gelling agent: pectin, colour (anthocyanins), yuzu juice (2.5%), Sicilian Lemon Oil.

Nutrition: Chocolate & Raspberry Puds per 50g pot: 59 Calories, 2.05g fat, 1.65g saturated fat, 9.7g carbs, 6.35g sugars, 0.95g protein, 0.9g fibre, 0.05g salt.

© Diets and Calories

Onken Light & Fruity Yogurts Review

Onken have brought out two new 0% fat and no added sugar lower calorie yogurts. These are part of a new ‘Light & Fruity’ range which provide a lower calorie yogurt choice for those wanting to reduce calories, fat and sugar.

The two varieties in the Light & Fruity range are Blueberry and Passionfruit. The Blueberry has 49 calories per 100ml and the Passionfruit has 51 calories.

I purchased a pot of each flavour. Both are 450g big pots.

Onken Light & Fruity Passionfruit

Onken Light & Fruity Blueberry

Some information from the label:

Gluten free, suitable for vegetarians. No artificial flavourings, colours or preservatives.

‘Tickle your taste buds with our Light & Fruity yogurt – full on flavour that’s fat-free, with no added sugar and only 76 calories per serving. Onken’s unique blend of cultures make this Biotpot so mild and creamy that it’s delicious on its own, or why not try adding your own ingredients to make it yours.’

I’ve been eating Onken big pot yogurts for years, mainly their natural set yogurt and their Strawberry fat-free yogurt. The Strawberry was very low in calories but it was sweetened with Acesulfame-K, Sucralose and fructose (not ideal).

Then in 2012 Onken changed the recipe, replacing artificial sweeteners with sugar. This increased the calories from 53 to 79 per 100ml (see post: Onken Fat Free Strawberry Yogurt).

Now the new Light & Fruity range has artificial sweetener included again. This time it’s just sucralose. I suppose that’s an improvement by excluding the Acesulfame-K and fructose, but it’s still an artificial sweetener (also known as Splenda) which does come with some controversy. Personally, I’d have preferred they use Stevia.

The label states they contain live cultures – Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bifidobacterium and Streptococcus thermophiles which are helpful for gut health. But there are questions about the effect of artificial sweeteners on the gut too! If you want to read more about the possible effects of sucralose on the microbiome check out this article.

Onto the taste...

I tried out the Blueberry first. The yogurt is a pale purplish blue colour and there are a few bits of squashed blueberries to be seen.

The yogurt is very smooth. However, to my taste buds, it didn’t taste overwhelmingly of blueberries. I also felt the lack of fat made it seem less creamy. In fact, it reminded me of Onken’s natural fat free yogurt which I don’t like at all.

The Passionfruit was far nicer taste wise. Although sadly there were no bits of passion fruit, its pale yellow colour and exotic passion fruit smell made this yogurt more appealing (to me and my husband at least). The flavour partially made up for the fatless texture and I enjoyed this yogurt a lot more.

The entire pots contain only around 250 calories so could be helpful on a weight loss regime.

Available in Ocado at the time of writing.

Ingredients Light & Fruity Passionfruit:
Yogurt (Milk), Passionfruit (7%), Water, Modified Corn Starch, Carrot Concentrate, Thickeners: (Xanthan Gum & Pectin), Natural Flavouring, Acid (Citric Acid), Lemon Juice, Sweetener (Sucralose).

Ingredients Light & Fruity Blueberry:
Yogurt (Milk), Blueberries (7%), Water, Modified Corn Starch, Thickeners: (Xanthan Gum & Pectin), Carrot Concentrate, Lemon Juice, Natural Flavouring, Sweetener (Sucralose), Acid (Citric Acid)

Nutrition per 100g Passionfruit: 51 Calories, 0g fat, 0g saturated fat, 6.3g carbs, 5.5g sugars, 4.9g protein, 0.20g salt. Calcium 143mg. Contains naturally occurring sugars.

Nutrition per 100g Blueberry: 49 Calories, 0g fat, 0g saturated fat, 5.8g carbs, 5.1g sugars, 4.8g protein, 0.16g salt. Calcium 135mg. Contains naturally occurring sugars.

© Diets and Calories

Pip & Nut Almond Drink with Honey & Vanilla Review

In my quest to make the perfect matcha latte, I’ve been trying out various dairy free nut milks. It used to be Alpro dominating the market, but now there are so many more to choose from. Unfortunately they're not cheap and they do vary quite a bit in terms of nut content which affects the calories and taste.

Here’s yet another new name on the block. Pip & Nut is becoming a familiar sight in health food stores with their range of dairy free nut milk drinks, nut butters and squeezy nut butter packets.

Pip & Nut have three different dairy free almond nut milks: Unsweetened (20 calories per 100ml), with Honey & Vanilla (27 calories per 100ml), with Coconut (22 calories per 100ml). I purchased the Honey & Vanilla.

Although I don’t like almond milk in my tea or coffee, I find it works really well with matcha green tea lattes.

Range of Pip & Nut Dairy Free Almond Drinks

While taste is important, I also want a nut milk that froths up really well. Many of them haven’t been able to produce much in the way of froth and this brand didn’t either.

I love the simple list of ingredients, just water, almonds, honey vanilla extract and sea salt. The almonds only make up 3% of the content though so you’re paying a lot for the water.

This does have benefits in that the drink is low in sugar, fat, saturated fat and salt. And of course it's low in calories so could help with weight loss or maintaining weight.

The vanilla flavour came through well in this drink, but I didn’t like the almond taste. Sometimes I find the almond flavour tastes too much like marzipan which I detest and unfortunately for me, this is mostly what I could taste in this drink.

This is a long life product but once opened must be stored in the fridge and used within 5 days.

Pip & Nut almond drink cost £2.00 at Sainsbury’s at the time of writing.

Nutrition per 100ml: 27 Calories, 2g fat, 0.2g saturated fat, 1.0g carbs, 0.9g sugars, 0.5g fibre, 0.9g protein, 0.02g salt.

Ingredients: Water, Almonds (3%), Honey, Vanilla Extract (0.02%), Sea Salt.

© Diets and Calories

Kellogg’s NO Added Sugar Granola Review

Granola is taking over the breakfast cereal aisles. If you're into granola, it seems there's no end to the new brands and varieties appearing on the supermarket shelves. And the granolas that already exist are now being produced in low sugar or no added sugar varieties.

One brand that caught my eye a few weeks ago was this new No Added Sugar Granola by Kellogg’s.

There are three varieties to choose from: Coconut, Cashew & Almond; Apricot & Pumpkin Seeds and Super Grains Granola Cranberry, Sultana & Spelt. Since I don’t like dried fruit in cereal, I decided to see what the Coconut, Cashew Almond granola was like.
Low sugar or not, granola is never a low calorie option. It’s a healthier choice than one with a high sugar level, but sticking to portion sizes when pouring out granola is so important when watching your weight.

Kellogg's range of No Added Sugar Granolas

The Kellogg’s Coconut, Cashew & Almond granola advises a portion size is 45g which equates to 202 calories without milk.

Personally I try to stay away from granola. Not because I don’t like it. I love it! The trouble is, I find it hard to stop eating it once I’ve started. However, hubby loves it and uses it to put on top of yogurt and adds some berries. I also like sprinkling it onto yogurt and fruit.

Kellogg's No Added Sugar Granola: Coconut, Cashew & Almond

Nutty granolas are my favourite and as soon as I opened the Kellogg’s version, I knew I’d like it. It has lots of chunky pieces of cashew nuts and thin slivers of almonds and coconut. It’s very crunchy and certainly sweet enough. Since there’s no added sugar, it had to be getting its sweetness from somewhere!

Kellogg's No Added Sugar Granola: Coconut, Cashew & Almond

Looking at the ingredients, the sweetness is mainly provided by date puree (15%) and a little banana puree. This is better than refined sugar and should have some nutrients that refined sugar doesn't have.

Kellogg's No Added Sugar granola isn’t in the low sugar category (and there are a few out there now). But it does fit into the medium sugar category with 12g per 100g. Per portion - 45g, this provides just over a teaspoon of sugar which isn't bad.

It comes in a 570g box with 12 x 45g servings. The box is recyclable.

This granola from Kellogg’s is absolutely delicious and I’d definitely recommend it if you like nutty granolas.


Nutrition per 45g serving:
202 Calories, 8.1g fat, 0.9g saturated fat, 27g carbs, 5.4g sugars, 3.8g fibre, 3.8g protein, 0.09g salt. Vegetarian, Vegetarian. Halal. Kosher. No artificial colours, flavours or artificial sweeteners. Palm oil free.

Ingredients:
Cereals (67%) (Wholegrain Barley Flakes {28%}, Oats {24%}, Whole Rye {14%}, Wheat Flour, Oat Flour), Date Paste (15%), Sunflower Oil, Nuts (5%) (Cashew, Almonds), Banana Puree, Coconut (2%), Natural Flavourings, Barley Malt Extract, Salt

© Diets and Calories