Tasters Cry: ‘Give Us Fat!’

Being the responsible sort, we figured it was our duty to help members of The Spokesman-Review’s reader food panel get back on track, nutritionally speaking, following the annual yuletide fatfest.

Off we went to the well-stocked health food aisle at Fred Meyer. Back we came with black bean soup cups, reduced-fat granola bars and nondairy milk substitutes.

As panel members sat surveying their bounty, we could almost see the fond memories of last month’s sugarplums still dancing in their heads.

Even our resident vegetarians were less than thrilled. “This isn’t what I eat,” moaned Meagan Coffey. Mary Aegerter nodded her solemn agreement.

Actually, the soup cups Mary carries with her have been her stomach’s salvation on nights when there was too much meat on the food panel menu.

But none of the black bean soups we served was anywhere near heavenly. Chef’s Classic had chewy, odd-shaped beans and a rather thin, salty-spicy broth. Health Valley boasted better-looking beans, but was bland, and Fantastic Foods was anything but. (Actually, a combination of the three wasn’t too bad, as some of us more adventurous types discovered.)

The highlight of the granola bars, all allegedly blueberry, was another episode of our ongoing “guess the fruit” contest. “Oh no, raisins!” was the cry when the birdseed-looking, nonfat Fi-Bar bars appeared. Figs was the speculation with the fat-free Health Valley bars, and cherry the pick for the low-fat Kudos (which came from the regular grocery section).

As for the “milks,” they really weren’t that terrible, particularly compared to skim milk, and might seem just fine over a bowl of cereal. Straight from the glass, however, was another story. (Suffice it to say that no mustaches were attempted.)

Just when everyone started edging anxiously toward the door, we pulled out our peace offering: Mississippi Mud Pie from Fred Meyer’s in-house President’s Choice label.

As the 24 fat grams per serving soaked into their arteries, the smiles started returning to panel members’ faces. After all, we have to live with these people for another whole year.

Chef’s Classic Lowfat Black Bean Soup

Price: 89 cents for 1.9 ounces.

Nutrition: 180 calories (5 percent fat calories); 240 milligrams sodium per cup.

Taste: ***

Value: ***

Comments: “Love the sauce! Great combo of spices - I’d buy it! In fact, I ate the whole thing! - Kathy Kelly.

“Strange shape and texture to the beans. Weird taste to the broth. Mystery spice.” - Jim Eggers.

Health Valley Fat-Free Zesty Black Beans with Rice Soup

Price: $1.39 for 2.05 ounces.

Nutrition: 100 calories (no fat); 360 milligrams sodium per cup.

Taste: **

Value: **

Comments: “Bland except for the occasional blast of cilantro.” - Mary Aegerter.

“Even the smell makes me gag.” - John Robison.

Fantastic Foods Lowfat Jumpin’ Black Bean Soup

Price: 89 cents for 2.2 ounces.

Nutrition: 210 calories (4 percent fat calories); 470 milligrams sodium per cup.

Taste: **

Value: **

Comments: “Nice bean texture. Would be good with a little salt and salsa added.” - Susi Faville.

“I thought it tasted good, until I actually swallowed my first bite.” - Meagan Coffey.

Kudos Low-Fat Whole-Grain Bars, Blueberry

Price: $1.69 for 8 bars (6.56 ounces).

Nutrition: 90 calories (15 percent fat calories); 105 milligrams sodium per bar.

Taste: ***

Value: ***

Comments: “Tastes a little like Rice Krispies bars. Chewy and sweet. Not very big ‘blueberries’.” - Susi Faville.

“Not disgusting … a major plus.” - John Robison.

Fi-Bar Fat-Free Granola Bars, Blueberry

Price: $2.59 for 8 bars (8 ounces).

Nutrition: 90 calories (no fat); 75 milligrams sodium per bar.

Taste: ***

Value: **

Comments: “I don’t like it - taste, texture, stickiness, anything!” - Mary Aegerter.

“Great texture. Soft but crunchy, delicate sweetness (not overpowering). Liked the berries - I’d buy it. Excellent product.” - Kathy Kelly.

Health Valley Fat-Free Granola Bars, Blueberry Apple

Price: $2.59 for 4 bars (6 ounces).

Nutrition: 140 calories (no fat); 5 milligrams sodium per bar.

Taste: *

Value: *

Comments: “Dense, bizarre texture. Fruity tasting.” - Jim Eggers.

“Not only does it look like the side of a tennis shoe in mud, but it tastes remarkably similar.” - Meagan Coffey.

Rice Dream Nondairy Beverage, 1 percent

Price: $3.38 for 32 ounces.

Nutrition: 120 calories (15 percent fat calories); 90 milligrams sodium per cup.

Taste: **

Value: *

Comments: “Sweet tasting. Might be fine really cold on cereal but not in other ways.” - Mary Aegerter.

“A cross between Barry Manilow and Michael Bolton … Yuk!” - John Robison.

Westbrae Natural 1 Percent Fat Lite Nondairy Soy Beverage

Price: $3.58 for 32 ounces.

Nutrition: 100 calories (18 percent fat calories); 120 milligrams sodium per cup.

Taste: *

Value: *

Comments: “It’s still not milk - putty-colored, beany, sweet.” - Susi Faville.

“Smells ‘a little’ (very little) like milk. Real soybean? Liquid cardboard? That’s it. Grabs your tongue when it bites back.” - Kathy Kelly.

Almond Mylk

Price: $1.99 for 1.06 quarts

Nutrition: 80 calories (45 percent fat calories); 190 milligrams sodium per cup.

Taste: *

Value: *

Comments: “Liquid chalk. I’ve had better-tasting medicine.” - Jim Eggers.

“If I had to drink this to save my family’s lives or to stop my boyfriend from being squashed by a semi, I’d do it. Otherwise, I think I’d pass.” - Meagan Coffey.

, DataTimes MEMO: Products sampled by The Spokesman-Review’s reader food panel are purchased at a retail store and prepared in a test kitchen according to package directions. Panelists are not aware of a product’s brand name or price until after they have tasted it. Products are rated for taste and for value, based on quality compared to price.