Readers' Healthy Finds: All Whites, Wasa and Lemon Pepper Pasta
The votes have been cast, the surveys have been tallied, and we're listening to what you said. You like food, especially cheap, good and healthy food. You don't have time, energy or money to waste on food that doesn't taste good, so we're asking readers to share their favorite healthy finds. Today we bring you three foods submitted by readers. These are staples in their kitchen, and soon they might be staples in your own!
ROHEIS: Wasa Crackerbreads ($3.59)
Please spread the word about Wasa Crackerbreads--they are awesome! They are in most grocery stores, in either the cracker aisle or the gourmet food aisle. There are many varieties, so the nutrition info varies. But all are versatile and make a great addition to most diets.
As an example, Wasa Crisp'N Light 7 Grain Crackerbreads are 60 calories a serving (that is 3 crackerbreads, each a little smaller than an index card), 0 Fat, 0 Cholesterol, 95 mg Sodium, and 2g of Fiber, plus 8g of whole grains!
I put a little fat-free cream cheese and a teaspoon of all-fruit spread on them for a sweet snack. My husband puts sliced turkey and low-fat cheese on his, and microwaves them for a warm, filling lunch at work. We also love them with chicken or tuna salad; most of them are sturdy enough to hold chunky toppings. The possibilities are endless!

RAMPANTPANDA: All Whites ($3.79)
Calories (in 1/4 cup): 30, Fat: 0g, Protein: 6g, Fiber: 0g, Sodium: 95mg, Carbs: 1g
I bought All Whites because I wanted to cut down on fat in my diet and I decided it would be wasteful to buy whole eggs when all I really want to use are the whites. I love that there is one ingredient in All Whites - egg whites.
All Whites are honest-to-goodness eggs without the yolk. They're naturally fat free and full of protein, and they can easily be used for most things you can use eggs for (scrambling, baking, thickening sauces, dessert topping, etc.). They're pasteurized, so you can eat them raw (in smoothies or homemade mayonnaise) if you are so inclined. They're also naturally low in calories. This is a minimally-processed food that you do not have to worry about eating.
Unlike egg whites that come in shells, these do not whip well. Don't try to use these in meringue. All Whites are nutritionally wonderful, but I wish the chickens that laid the eggs were happy and healthy.
I had these scrambled with green onions, mixed into tomato sauce, in muffins (replacing whole eggs), and in macaroni and cheese. Like egg whites that come in shells, these are very versatile! If you want some more ideas, the product website has a collection of recipes using All Whites, mostly in smoothies. Basically, All Whites will work in almost any situation in which you'd use whole eggs or egg whites from shells.
I will buy this again because it's too easy and cost effective to pass up right now. When I can afford to buy cage-free eggs, I'll go back to separating the yolks from the whites.

NOTABOUTHEFACE: Trader Joe's Lemon Pepper Pappardelle Pasta ($1.99)
Calories (2 oz): 220, Fat: 1g, Protein: 8g, Fiber: 2g, Sodium: 0mg, Carbs: 42g
What I like: The amazing lemon taste that is fresh and clean tasting but not overpowering. It is truly flavorful enough to be eaten on it's own tossed with a little olive oil. The price is right for a gourmet pasta. $2 for 4 servings. Who wouldn't love that? I also like that there's no sodium. It can be pretty hard to control when you're looking at "convenience foods" so this was a welcome surprise.
What I don't like: That an unending supply doesn't magically appear in my pantry. There's not a single thing I don't like about this product.
How did you eat this product? With a fork. HA! I tossed it with enough of Trader Joe's Alfredo Sauce to coat it and topped with southwest chipotle sole. Fish is the perfect complement to this pasta (our faves are orange roughy and mahi mahi due to the meatier texture of the fish). A garlic chicken would be great with this too or even an herbed turkey breast. Red meat definitely wouldn't be a good fit with this particular pasta.
Would you buy this again? Just try to stop me! (That means 'heck yeah' in my world!)
Have a favorite product you'd like to share on the dailySpark? Email editor@dailyspark.com with the subject "Readers' Healthy Finds."
Have you tried any of these products? Will you?
ROHEIS: Wasa Crackerbreads ($3.59)
Please spread the word about Wasa Crackerbreads--they are awesome! They are in most grocery stores, in either the cracker aisle or the gourmet food aisle. There are many varieties, so the nutrition info varies. But all are versatile and make a great addition to most diets.
As an example, Wasa Crisp'N Light 7 Grain Crackerbreads are 60 calories a serving (that is 3 crackerbreads, each a little smaller than an index card), 0 Fat, 0 Cholesterol, 95 mg Sodium, and 2g of Fiber, plus 8g of whole grains!
I put a little fat-free cream cheese and a teaspoon of all-fruit spread on them for a sweet snack. My husband puts sliced turkey and low-fat cheese on his, and microwaves them for a warm, filling lunch at work. We also love them with chicken or tuna salad; most of them are sturdy enough to hold chunky toppings. The possibilities are endless!

RAMPANTPANDA: All Whites ($3.79)
Calories (in 1/4 cup): 30, Fat: 0g, Protein: 6g, Fiber: 0g, Sodium: 95mg, Carbs: 1g
I bought All Whites because I wanted to cut down on fat in my diet and I decided it would be wasteful to buy whole eggs when all I really want to use are the whites. I love that there is one ingredient in All Whites - egg whites.
All Whites are honest-to-goodness eggs without the yolk. They're naturally fat free and full of protein, and they can easily be used for most things you can use eggs for (scrambling, baking, thickening sauces, dessert topping, etc.). They're pasteurized, so you can eat them raw (in smoothies or homemade mayonnaise) if you are so inclined. They're also naturally low in calories. This is a minimally-processed food that you do not have to worry about eating.
Unlike egg whites that come in shells, these do not whip well. Don't try to use these in meringue. All Whites are nutritionally wonderful, but I wish the chickens that laid the eggs were happy and healthy.
I had these scrambled with green onions, mixed into tomato sauce, in muffins (replacing whole eggs), and in macaroni and cheese. Like egg whites that come in shells, these are very versatile! If you want some more ideas, the product website has a collection of recipes using All Whites, mostly in smoothies. Basically, All Whites will work in almost any situation in which you'd use whole eggs or egg whites from shells.
I will buy this again because it's too easy and cost effective to pass up right now. When I can afford to buy cage-free eggs, I'll go back to separating the yolks from the whites.

NOTABOUTHEFACE: Trader Joe's Lemon Pepper Pappardelle Pasta ($1.99)
Calories (2 oz): 220, Fat: 1g, Protein: 8g, Fiber: 2g, Sodium: 0mg, Carbs: 42g
What I like: The amazing lemon taste that is fresh and clean tasting but not overpowering. It is truly flavorful enough to be eaten on it's own tossed with a little olive oil. The price is right for a gourmet pasta. $2 for 4 servings. Who wouldn't love that? I also like that there's no sodium. It can be pretty hard to control when you're looking at "convenience foods" so this was a welcome surprise.
What I don't like: That an unending supply doesn't magically appear in my pantry. There's not a single thing I don't like about this product.
How did you eat this product? With a fork. HA! I tossed it with enough of Trader Joe's Alfredo Sauce to coat it and topped with southwest chipotle sole. Fish is the perfect complement to this pasta (our faves are orange roughy and mahi mahi due to the meatier texture of the fish). A garlic chicken would be great with this too or even an herbed turkey breast. Red meat definitely wouldn't be a good fit with this particular pasta.
Would you buy this again? Just try to stop me! (That means 'heck yeah' in my world!)
Have a favorite product you'd like to share on the dailySpark? Email editor@dailyspark.com with the subject "Readers' Healthy Finds."
Have you tried any of these products? Will you?
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Comments
In Sweden it is sold in 1kilo round packs,as well as little squares. Here in Florida Ikea has the larger round kakes in 1lb packs. Great taste too (fewer trips to the store.)
- 2/17/2010 12:21:58 PM
The sesame or multigrain varieties are much less bland than the original one...for the people who think it tastes like cardboard :)
I love mine with low fat cream cheese and ham and a side of salad or homemade soup for a light nutritious lunch.
- 2/5/2010 8:49:54 AM
I can buy large eggs for as little as 99 cents a dozen. Seldom over $1.79, It isn't that hard to separate the whites. It only takes seconds. If you are worrying about wasting those yolks, feed them to your pet. He will make that furry friend have a shiny coat.
I might consider some of the other products.
P.S. I also know chicken farmers.
Uncaged chickens are at risk of smothering each other. That life isn't necessarily the greatest either. No matter how they are raised, they are very well cared for. I don't think the description of cages fits reality. - 9/20/2009 9:51:48 PM
If the hens are kept in cages so small that they can't stand up, spread their wings or do any of their natural behaviors, they AREN'T happy OR healthy. Simple as that. All battery egg farmers keep hens in cages that are too small. The industry standard size that is "approved" by the United Egg Producers is too small for the hens to stand up or spread their wings. That is a fact. Each hen has as much space as a letter sized sheet of paper. Also a fact.
Unless the egg farmers you know do range fed hens (not 'cage free' in an equally cramped barn but genuinely outside in rotating pens that are directly on grass so the hens can forage, dust bathe, flap their wings, feel the sunshine and fresh air, etc.) they aren't raising happy hens nor are they taking "good care" of their hens. It's that simple.
I do agree that free range (and cage free) means nothing as far as how happy the hens are, really. It DOES mean the hens aren't in battery cages but being "cage free" can mean being in a cramped barn with a tiny door open to the outside that no hens ever use. The egg industry is notoriously abusive. IMO, it's the least humane of all animal production industries - right up there with veal. If you want eggs, adopt a pet hen or support a local farmer who does range fed hens. Go visit to make sure the hens aren't debeaked and are being treated as you'd expect. - 9/20/2009 7:43:05 PM
- 9/20/2009 1:23:22 PM
Will try the TJ Pasta next, have seen them but was not quite sure about them :) I do not indulge in eggs to often and prefer the whole egg. - 9/19/2009 2:18:09 PM
All Whites - wouldn't touch them, because I believe in the WHOLE egg! I'm not about to throw out the nutrition in that yolk! When the price of regular eggs skyrocketed to the point where the 'premium' eggs were about the same price, I tried some that had extra Omega-3 thanks to a better diet. They really do taste better and for anything that showcases the eggs I definitely still purchase them. Don't think it matters quite so much for baking - but I don't do a lot of that anyway.
Would love to try the pasta, but haven't seen it in my area, and unfortunately don't have a Trader Joes around. Too bad, since they'd be good competition for Whole Foods! - 9/19/2009 9:08:33 AM
I would not buy AllWhites. I'd rather have a two-egg-white, one-egg-yolk omelet that I make myself, anyway.
Papardelle Pasta sounds good, but I'd prolly try the whole wheat garlic (that someone else mentioned on here) first, or the tomato basil. I'm trying to stay away from the enriched flour products, and go with whole wheat products only. I will have to check the ingredients. We do have a Trader Joe's here, and they have some great products, so this is one I'll definitely check out. - 9/18/2009 11:33:19 AM
Does that writer know that free range chickens only have to be out of their cages 20 minutes a day to be considered "free range"? I learned that from the chicken farmer I know. How about that Angus beef doesn't have to be Angus, just all black and meet certain meat requirements? - 9/18/2009 10:44:01 AM
WASA's taste is subtle. I can't imagine anyone who eats mostly spicey foods eating it. People used to high-sugar, high-fat, high-sodium crackers and breads are less apt to appreciate the flavor. My grandson thinks WASA smells like the dog's bisquits. My d-in-l didn't like WASA because she didn't like the taste (she drinks a lot of soda, cooks with tons of butter and salt ...) but loved it in one way I enjoy: a bit of nonfat cream cheese with a little dab of pepper jelly. (I also like to have lingonberries instead of the pepepr jelly, but not everyone is keen on the 'berries) WASA can be topped with sandwich fillings and eaten with soup as a low-calorie crispy open sandwich. And instead of a meal I have had a salad, and as a side dish put warmed refried beans on WASA (not hot!) topped it with a little salsa.
Since I frequently am under my carb range I love the nutrient density of WASA and appreciate the benefits of its fiber content.
- 9/18/2009 10:18:40 AM
I wish there was a Trader Joe in Maine, those Papardelle Pasta look good. At first sight, they remind me of the pasta my Maman use to make at home. I can easily imagine them served with a delicious homemade Pesto sauce... Hmmmm
Thanks for some great reviews, Stepfanie! ♥ - 9/18/2009 8:55:32 AM
Great with mustard and turkey slice, with low fat cheese, with peanut butter.......
They are my go to carb when in a hurry. ANd each cracker (~2 1/2 in x 5 ish inch) is less than 1/2 the cals of a slice of bread. - 9/18/2009 8:50:23 AM
According to their website, Pappardelle's Pasta is only available through restaurants and farmers' markets, but you can order from them online. However, they are about 3 - 4x pricier than the Trader Joe's brand as you've reported it. - 9/18/2009 8:50:01 AM
I don't have a Trader Joes (still) where we live, so have no idea about the pasta, but sounds intriguing!
As far as the egg substitute - I've tried both the EggBeaters and AllWhites, but the fact is that DH has HBP and T2 Diabetes and both have more sodium than natural egg whites, and bottom line, a dozen eggs cost $1 - $1.25 and to ME that cost is much less than the processed whites. Egg Beaters have 25 cals, 75 mg sodium and 1 carb. A natural egg white has 17 cals, 0 sodium and .24 carbs. Seems to me that the difference in time between measuring out that 1/4 cup or 3 Tbsp of the AllWhites or EggBeaters and the dividing of the white from the yolk is the same, and 1 less dish to wash. HOWEVER, I don't use egg whites in smoothies (wouldn't anyway) so for those who use them uncooked, I think they are a great product. - 9/18/2009 8:22:17 AM
By the way Chas1949 they are low carb! - 9/18/2009 7:43:52 AM
My budget still makes the $.98 a dozen, self separated, a clear winner. It really doesn't take but a moment once you have a knack for it.
- 9/18/2009 1:30:08 AM
as for the egg whites; it's my natural choice no matter where the chick came from as I can't stand the yolk in any form... yolks stick...literally.... the lemon pasta? I've got to think about it.... what is it made of anyway?
- 9/17/2009 9:47:26 PM
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