I recently bought some products from Gardein. I was hooked from the first bite. I've tried the fish (FAVORITE), chick'n strips, and the meatballs. Yum yum yum. I'm not a vegetarian, but I was looking for a good way to incorporate some soy protein. And it ended up being delicious.

According to their website "gardein is a wholesome range of tasty plant-based foods with a meaty texture. It’s made from soy, wheat and pea proteins, vegetables and ancient grains (quinoa, amaranth, millet and kamut®). gardein is easy to digest and free of cholesterol, trans and saturated fats. The majority of gardein foods are a good source of fiber and low fat too. gardein is also animal and dairy free."

I bought this from Hyvee, but I've seen it at Walmart as well. Their website has a store locator. And LOTS of recipes.

Dinner tonight is “chicken” flatbread pizza. The chicken is Gardein meatless brand and made from soy and pea protein(made without the teriyaki sauce). Both have fat free ranch as the sauce. Mine has cherry tomatoes and red onion caramelized in balsamic vinegar. My husbands has bacon, the real kind. Topped with fat free mozzarella and cheddar cheese.

Ooo! Looks good!

Thanks for the idea. I am on liquids still, but am a little concerned how my new belly will handle meat. I am allowed scrambled eggs and tried a little today, kinda hurt.

This might be a good option for me. I have always eaten some meat substitutes, but nice to have some other options!

Thanks

Wow, this is great! I've been reading a lot about nutrition in hopes of.. and preparing for... and the nutrition and ingredients in these products sound great. I'll to give them a try as it appear that my grocery store carries them..

6 minutes ago, CaribeRidge said:

Wow, this is great! I've been reading a lot about nutrition in hopes of.. and preparing for... and the nutrition and ingredients in these products sound great. I'll to give them a try as it appear that my grocery store carries them..

And it tastes better than real meat. I'm hooked!

Love this brand! They're very good. The flatbread pizza looks so yummy! I'm on soft foods but can't wait to eat real food! Have you tried their meatballs?? [emoji108]

Sent from my SM-G955U using BariatricPal mobile app

Love this brand! They're very good. The flatbread pizza looks so yummy! I'm on soft foods but can't wait to eat real food! Have you tried their meatballs?? [emoji108]

Sent from my SM-G955U using BariatricPal mobile app

Yes, very good!

That looks delicious... I've been hesitant to try some of these meatless products... I'm too much of a meat person...

That looks delicious... I've been hesitant to try some of these meatless products... I'm too much of a meat person...

I am too, but even my husband said that the “fish” was better than real fish. You wouldn’t even know you were eating soy meat.

Are you vegetarian/vegan or whatever the new term is? Why are you wanting to looking to replace a superior protein (chicken) with a merely good protein (soy)?

Don't get me wrong, I love vegetable patties and all kinds of vegetable dishes, but I still wouldn't purposefully replace chicken with soy if I wanted a chicken dish. Chicken is higher in protein, it has a higher bio-availability, and it maintains satiety longer. But if you are doing it for vegetarian lifestyle choice, then it makes sense.

I use meat replacements for variety in my diet. And bc some types of meat gross me out, like sausage. I only eat sausage from 1 amazing butcher by me.

I really love Morningstar farms maple flavored breakfast patties crumbled up in my breakfast scramble: eggs, veggies, chia, and nutritional yeast; you have a perfect breakfast. Can make ahead for work days too.

My other favorite is Trader Joe's quinoa cowboy veggie burgers.

1 hour ago, BigViffer said:

Are you vegetarian/vegan or whatever the new term is? Why are you wanting to looking to replace a superior Protein (chicken) with a merely good protein (soy)?

Don't get me wrong, I love vegetable patties and all kinds of vegetable dishes, but I still wouldn't purposefully replace chicken with soy if I wanted a chicken dish. Chicken is higher in protein, it has a higher bio-availability, and it maintains satiety longer. But if you are doing it for vegetarian lifestyle choice, then it makes sense.

I'm having slightly elevated cholesterol levels. My doctor recommended a list of things to help naturally lower it.

1. Adding in soy protein. Gardein is completely cholesterol free.
2. Fatty Fish a few times a week. (I eat Wild Salmon mostly)
3. Fish Oil Supplements
4. Tree nuts
These are just the ones that I wasn't already doing. I exercise regularly and keep my carbs to a minimum.

So while I agree that I'd prefer to have chicken over soy meat. I'm replacing about 30% of my protein with soy to see if it impacts my cholesterol levels.

1 hour ago, BigViffer said:

Why are you wanting to looking to replace a superior Protein (chicken) with a merely good protein (soy)?

Don't get me wrong, I love vegetable patties and all kinds of vegetable dishes, but I still wouldn't purposefully replace chicken with soy if I wanted a chicken dish. Chicken is higher in protein, it has a higher bio-availability, and it maintains satiety longer. But if you are doing it for vegetarian lifestyle choice, then it makes sense.

For me specifically it is for a bit of variety there are good things in both animal and plant proteins. One important distinction for me is that animal proteins have more or at least some unhealthy fats and cholesterol. Personally I would likely go more for the meatless rather than the chicken-less. Costco sells their rotisserie chicken already shredded, boneless, skinless and of course already cooked in a big package and it is super yummy. My biggest falling off the wagon trigger is that I hate to cook for too long. When I want food I want it an hour ago so I reach for convenience foods and the rest is history.

3 minutes ago, CaribeRidge said:

For me specifically it is for a bit of variety there are good things in both animal and plant Proteins. One important distinction for me is that animal proteins have more or at least some unhealthy fats and cholesterol. Personally I would likely go more for the meatless rather than the chicken-less. costco sells their rotisserie chicken already shredded, boneless, skinless and of course already cooked in a big package and it is super yummy. My biggest falling off the wagon trigger is that I hate to cook for too long. When I want food I want it an hour ago so I reach for convenience foods and the rest is history.

I will say. I've gotten rid of most processed food. We only eat fresh meat and veggies. So these packages from Gardein are the exception to the rule. I like that they are always hanging out in my freezer for a day when we went too long without going to the store. I can make them quick on the stove top or the toaster oven. I do a lot better sticking with things if it is easy.

4 hours ago, AshAsh1 said:

I'm having slightly elevated cholesterol levels. My doctor recommended a list of things to help naturally lower it.

Now that is actually an excellent reason! Really glad you posted that extra information for everyone. That is a great compromise.

On 5/14/2018 at 12:37 PM, AshAsh1 said:

free of cholesterol, good source of Fiber and low fat

@AshAsh1

the above factors make Gardein look/sound very good. Especially - cholesterol free. bought the

crabless cakes and beefless tips. Will try tonight - only concern, they emphasize sauce not included.

Do you eat it dry, or do you need to add some type of ""healthy" sauce??? Inquiry minds want

to know kathy