REVIEW: Sun Puffs Four Cheese

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Sun Puffs Four Cheese

What are Sun Puffs Four Cheese?

This is the first non-chip form for Sun Chips. When I originally saw the images on the bag, I thought they were churros-shaped, but they are not. Instead, they look like large pillowy cereal pieces that could help you consume 100 percent of your daily fiber.

The four kinds of cheese that flavor the snack are: Monterey jack, cheddar, gouda, and mozzarella.

How are they?

I like Sun Chips, but if you gave me the option between them and a bag of potato chips, I’d take the fried spud slices and leave the Sun Chips 10 out of 10 times. But if bags of Sun Puffs Four Cheese and Cheetos were in front of me, I’d grab the Cheetos, but then also snag the Sun Puffs, because I’m greedy and they are sun-prisingly wonderful.

Sun Puffs Four Cheese Closeup

With the combination of cheeses, they have a slightly funky aroma and a mature tangy flavor that mostly hides the fact I’m eating a whole grain snack. Although, the cheesiness eventually fades and there’s a whole grain aftertaste. Think of these as tasting like a Triscuit with some decent cheese. They don’t quite reach Cheetos-level of snackability, but I still dig them.

Is there anything else I need to know?

While they’re made with 100 percent whole grain and look like a cereal that’ll give you 100 percent of your daily intake of fiber, a serving provides only seven percent of your daily fiber. Yes, you could eat the entire bag and get about 40 percent, which is plausible because they’re hard to stop eating.

Sun Puffs Four Cheese Comparison
Sun Puffs Four Cheese next to a Chicken in a Biskit

Also, regarding the whole grains, if you don’t like how regular Sun Chips feel in your mouth as you break them down with your teeth, then expect these to give you that same feeling. You know, the graininess that reminds you that Sun Chips are not Tostitos or regular potato chips.

Conclusion:

Frito-Lay, who also makes Cheetos, also makes Sun Puffs. So if there’s anyone who knows how to create addictive cheese-flavored crunchy puffs, it’s Frito-Lay. And it did a great job with these. Now, although I realize these don’t look like churros, I’d love to have a cinnamon sugar version.

Purchased Price: $4.39
Size: 6 oz. bag
Purchased at: Longs Drugs
Rating: 8 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: (about 15 puffs) 150 calories, 8 grams of fat, 1 gram of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 0 milligrams of cholesterol, 180 milligrams of sodium, 17 grams of carbohydrates, 2 grams of fiber, 2 grams of sugar, and 3 grams of protein.

REVIEW: Del Taco Beyond Tacos

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Del Taco Beyond Tacos

What are the Del Taco Beyond Tacos?

Utilizing Beyond Meat, a wholly plant-based meat substitute in its tacos, Del Taco officially overtakes Taco Bell as my faux-Mexican eatery of choice. The vegetarian Beyond Taco and the vegan Beyond Avocado Taco, apparently here for a limited time, are being tested throughout the United States. My area was finally lucky enough to receive them.

How are they?

In short, a revelation. Del Taco took its charming array of spices and seasonings and mixed it into the ground beef-like Beyond Meat, creating a flavorful mélange that is even better than its real meat mixture. Offering two distinct tacos — the Beyond Taco and the Beyond Avocado Taco — I ordered both as soft tacos, natch, with no problem and no argument.

Del Taco Beyond Taco

The Beyond Taco contains the plant-based protein, lettuce, tomatoes and shredded cheese – perhaps a little too much shredded cheese. After taking a handful of it off, the spicy meat substitute really comes through, filling and satisfying, far more than you would think it would.

Del Taco Beyond Avocado Taco

Additionally, the Beyond Avocado Taco features the protein, lettuce, tomatoes and, for all the difference in the world, a hearty slice of avocado. While the cheese kind of took over the previous taco, here the cool denseness of the avocado really brings out the seasonings that make the Beyond Meat so mouth watering.

Is there anything else you need to know?

Tacos not your bag, baby? I’m sure if you ask nice enough, they will substitute meat with Beyond Meat on just about anything on the menu. They did it for me with the soft tacos. The taste I’m sure would go great with its burritos, nachos and, sorry

Conclusion:

In both the Beyond Taco and the Beyond Avocado Taco, the plant protein elevates both and finally gives taco-hungry vegetarians and vegans a palpable choice as opposed to settling on lame takeaways and substitutions at other restaurants.

Purchased Price: $2.49 each
Size: N/A
Rating: 8 out of 10 (Beyond Taco)
Rating: 9 out of 10 (Beyond Avocado Taco)
Nutrition Facts: (1 taco) Beyond Taco – 300 calories, 19 grams of fat, 10 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 35 milligrams of cholesterol, 510 milligrams of sodium, 15 grams of carbohydrates, 2 grams of fiber, 1 gram of total sugars, and 19 grams of protein. Beyond Avocado Taco – 260 calories, 14 grams of fat, 6 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 0 milligrams of cholesterol, 390 milligrams of sodium, 22 grams of carbohydrates, 4 grams of fiber, 2 grams of total sugars, and 12 grams of protein.

REVIEW: Cheetos White Cheddar Bites

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Cheetos White Cheddar Bites

Cheetos White Cheddar Bites continue Cheetos’ trend of rolling out white cheddar-flavored snacks during winter because “white cheddar” equal “winter.”

While their flavor is familiar if you’ve had Cheetos White Cheddar Bag of Bones for Halloween,

Like I wrote, if you’ve had any of the snacks I mentioned in the previous paragraph, you’ll know precisely what these taste like.

If you haven’t, they have a milder cheesy flavor than original radioactive orange Cheetos. But I find them to be as addictive. I ate the entire bag within 12 hours, looked into the mirror, asked my reflection if it was worth it, and it replied with a “yeah.”

What helped make that disappearing act happen is the size of the crunchy snack.

Cheetos White Cheddar Bites Closeup

Since I ate all of them before I could make a size comparison with regular Cheetos Puffs, I want you to imagine a straight Cheetos Puff. Then imagine that Puff split into thirds. That’s approximately how big they are. Although, their crunch is slightly different from their curvy cousin because they seem to be somewhat less airy.

They’re the textbook definition of “bite-sized.” Sure, I can fit an entire Cheetos Puff in my Cheetos hole. Heck, I could shove several if I really wanted to, but it would be a little uncomfortable. With these Bites, I can comfortably fit many in my mouth like I’m a Cheetos-loving pelican. I guess what I’m trying to say is, this bite-sized version should be the default Cheetos Puff. You hear me, Frito-Lay! D-fault! D-fault! D-fault! (everybody) D-fault!

Or just make Cheetos Balls.

Because they’re yellow and shaped like botulism-affected canned goods, if you have a fine point Sharpie pen, you could draw eyes (or an eye) on them to turn them into Minions. I would’ve shown that, but, again, I ate the entire bag within 12 hours and way before the idea for Cheetos Minions popped into my head.

Cheetos White Cheddar Bites are a snack that I will never buy again because they’re too easy to eat. Oh, who am I kidding? I can’t get off this white cheddar horse.

Purchased Price: $3.99
Size: 7 1/2 oz. bag
Purchased at: Times Supermarket
Rating: 8 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: (about 38 pieces) – 160 calories, 10 grams of fat, 1.5 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 0 milligrams of cholesterol, 260 milligrams of sodium, 15 grams of carbohydrates, less than 1 gram of fiber, less than 1 gram of sugars and 2 grams of protein.

REVIEW: Yoplait Dunkin’ Inspired Yogurt Flavors

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Yoplait Dunkin Inspired Yogurt Flavors

What are Yoplait Dunkin’ Inspired Yogurts?

While Dunkin’ is busy trying to make its coffees taste like Girl Scout Cookies, Yoplait has decided to translate the popular breakfast chain’s signature flavors into its perfectly portable 6-ounce yogurt cups. Released as a pair of both Original and Whips varieties, Yoplait’s Limited Edition Dunkin’ Inspired Yogurts aim to keep America running without making a run to their nearest coffee shop.

How are they?

Boston Kreme Donut

Starting with the two entries into their Original line, Boston Kreme Donut was the flavor I dove into first. Yoplait was apparently trying to recreate the treat’s filling as this flavor tasted closest to the sweet custard innards of the famous pastry. Even so, the slight tartness at play here continually reminded me that I was eating a cup of yogurt rather than a delicious, fresh-out-of-the-fryer donut, and its total lack of a chocolate element left my donut desires feeling unfulfilled.

Yoplait Original Dunkin Boston Kreme Donut Yogurt

Purchased Price: 77 cents
Size: 6 oz. container
Purchased at: Food Lion
Rating: 7 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: (1 container) 160 calories, 15 calories from fat, 2 grams of total fat, 1 gram of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 10 milligrams of cholesterol, 90 milligrams of sodium, 30 grams of total carbohydrates, 24 grams of total sugars, and 6 grams of protein.

Apple Fritter

Standing as the second newly-inducted member into Yoplait’s Original lineup, Apple Fritter also fell a bit short of my expectations. With a vanilla yogurt base with apple chunks and cinnamon spice mixed in, this flavor more closely resembled Chobani’s Apple Cinnamon Greek Yogurt than it did any pastry. Although I found it tasty enough, I didn’t think this flavor was anything unique, and you could easily recreate it at home by mixing some apple pie filling into a cup of vanilla yogurt.

Yoplait Original Dunkin Apple Fritter Yogurt

Purchased Price: 77 cents
Size: 6 oz. container
Purchased at: Food Lion
Rating: 6 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: (1 container) 150 calories, 15 calories from fat, 2 gram of total fat, 1 gram of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 10 milligram of cholesterol, 95 milligrams of sodium, 28 grams of total carbohydrates, 20 grams of total sugars, and 6 grams of protein.

Coffee Cinnamon Roll

As the first of their Whips additions, Coffee Cinnamon Roll immediately piqued my interest. I like drinking coffee while I eat cinnamon rolls, but I don’t necessarily associate the two flavors together in one food. After trying this, I realized why. While coffee and cinnamon buns generally complement each other, they canceled each other out in this case, which resulted in a bland, unappetizing flavor that can only be described as cloying. The whipped texture didn’t do this variety any favors either and just made it even harder to notice this yogurt’s resemblance to its indulgent inspiration.

Yoplait Whips Dunkin Cinnamon Coffee Roll Yogurt

Purchased Price: 77 cents
Size: 6 oz. container
Purchased at: Food Lion
Rating: 4 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: (1 container) 160 calories, 35 calories from fat, 4 grams of total fat, 2.5 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 15 milligrams of cholesterol, 60 milligrams of sodium, 26 grams of total carbohydrates, 23 grams of total sugars, and 5 grams of protein.

French Vanilla Latte

Also joining into Yoplait’s Whips collection, French Vanilla Latte was perhaps the flavor I was anticipating the most, especially after my spectacular experience last year with Baskin Robbin’s take on Dunkin’s French Vanilla Coffee. Just as I had hoped, this variety ended up being my favorite out of the bunch. The whipped, mousse-like texture worked well here and made the yogurt seem reminiscent of the frothed milk on top of an actual vanilla latte.

Yoplait Whips Dunkin French Vanilla Latte Yogurt

Purchased Price: 77 cents
Size: 6 oz. container
Purchased at: Food Lion
Rating: 8 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: (1 container) 160 calories, 35 calories from fat, 4 grams of total fat, 2.5 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 20 milligrams of cholesterol, 65 milligrams of sodium, 25 grams of total carbohydrates, 21 grams of total sugars, and 5 grams of protein.

Is there anything else you need to know?

Although yogurt may seem like a healthy way to start the day, buyer beware, because some of these have more or about the same amount of sugar as the breakfast items that inspired them. For example, the Boston Kreme yogurt contains seven more grams of sugar than Dunkin’s actual Boston Kreme Donut.

Conclusion:

Despite most of these yogurts being good enough, they aren’t going to take the place of stopping by Dunkin’ on the way to work. Instead, I see them as a being a handy way to ward off the 3 P.M. snack slump without making you leave your office.

REVIEW: White Chocolate Marshmallow M&M’s

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White Chocolate Marshmallow M M s

What are White Chocolate Marshmallow M&M’s?

Because a bag of novelty-flavored M&M’s is easily stuffed into a bright plastic egg basket, Mars is dropping another installment of its special edition Easter flavors! This time, it’s white chocolate with marshmallow.

How are they?

You know how when you see cooking show contestants using the same batter/dough/base for multiple items, they are mostly likely not going to win? That’s what these M&M’s taste like. They’re essentially the same as the basic white chocolate M&M with the tiniest hint of another flavor zipping by at light speed.

White Chocolate Marshmallow M M s Plated

In this case, the flavor isn’t even the marshmallow advertised – it’s closer to fondant icing. You know how cooking show judges howl in disappointment when cakes or cookies get covered in fondant? It’s a polarizing flavor. Fondant is supposed to taste like marshmallow, but is more like what a replicator on the Enterprise that needs a tune-up would spit out.

The good news is there’s so little of it – and the white chocolate is dominant enough – that if you don’t know what fondant is, you might not even notice it here. I’ve been making cakes with it for 18 years, so I’d recognize that sugary dough anywhere.

White Chocolate Marshmallow M M s Pastels

While they taste perfectly pleasant (relying on the strength of their white chocolate base flavor), there’s a huge wasted opportunity here and I’m deducting points for that. Why didn’t they play around with texture? Swap out the crispy malted filling of the M&M’s Mini Eggs with a breakfast-cereal-style marshmallow center?

White Chocolate Marshmallow M M s Innards

Is there anything else you need to know?

The

Conclusion:

If you love the white chocolate M&M’s, they’re not a bad purchase with lowered expectations. If you vehemently hate fondant and/or are a cooking show judge, proceed with caution.

Purchased Price: $3.19 (on sale)
Size: 8 oz. bag
Purchased at: Target
Rating: 6 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: (1 oz./16 pieces) 140 calories, 7 grams of fat, 4 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, less than 5 milligrams of cholesterol, 25 milligrams of sodium, 19 grams of carbohydrates, 0 grams of fiber, 15 grams of total sugars, 17 grams of added sugars, and 1 gram of protein.
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