Arnold Select/Oroweat Sandwich Thins
PER SERVING (1 roll): 100 calories, 1g fat, 210 – 230mg sodium, 22 – 23g carbs, 5g fiber, 2g sugars, 4g protein — POINTS® value 1*
VS.
Pepperidge Farm Deli Flats
PER SERVING (1 roll): 100 calories, 1 – 1.5g fat, 170mg sodium, 19 – 20g carbs, 5g fiber, 3g sugars, 6g protein — POINTS® value 1*
It figures. We’d FINALLY started to find the Arnold Select/Oroweat version in our ‘hood when these Pepperidge Farm Deli Flats began popping up. They’re nearly identical — both taste great and are packed with fiber. We like good healthy competition as much as anyone, so we’re basically going to buy whichever is easiest for us to find. (You hear that, food companies?) If forced to choose, we’d go for the Arnold Select/Oroweat version. But really, there are no losers in this battle. These things ROCK, and we hope they’re here to stay.
Fiber One Toaster Pastries
PER SERVING (1 toaster pastry): 190 calories, 4g fat, 135 – 150mg sodium, 35 – 36g carbs, 5g fiber, 15 – 16g sugars, 4g protein — POINTS® value 3*
VS.
Pop-Tarts Whole Grain with Fiber Toaster Pastries
PER SERVING (1 toaster pastry): 190 – 200 calories, 5 – 6g fat, 150 – 250mg sodium, 34 – 35g carbs, 5g fiber, 12 – 14g sugars, 2 – 3g protein — POINTS® value 3 – 4*
The day we got to sample Fiber One Toaster Pastries was a VERY happy one at the HG HQ. And then when the Pop-Tarts people shot back with their own fiber-ific breakfast treats, we were stunned… and pleased. Fiber One DID copy Pop-Tarts first, so fair is fair. The stats are pretty close here, but the Pop-Tarts have a bit more fat. Each line has its strong suits (Fiber One makes a blueberry flavor, the Pop-Tarts frosting is GREAT, the F1 “crust” is terrific, etc.), so we love ‘em both. Whichever’s on sale gets our vote.
Popchips
PER SERVING (1 oz., about 19 – 22 chips): 120 calories, 4g fat, 250 – 290mg sodium, 20g carbs, 1g fiber, 0 – 2g sugars, 1 – 2g protein — POINTS® value 3*
VS.
Trader Joe’s Popped Potato Chips
PER SERVING (1 oz., about 19 – 22 chips): 120 calories, 4g fat, 250 – 280mg sodium, 20g carbs, 1g fiber, 0 – 2g sugars, 1g protein — POINTS® value 3*
Now don’t get us wrong — we LOVE both of these products (as we do all the items we’re talking about today). But when someone loves Popchips as much as we do, they’re gonna be pretty excited to see a product that tastes just as good, but for a lower price. As exciting as that is, however, the TJ’s chips don’t come in all the fabulous flavors and packaging options that Popchips do, just Salted or Barbecue in multi-serving bags. Plus, some areas don’t have Trader Joe’s. Popchips, have no fear… Your delicious empire is safe.
Amy’s Organic Light in Sodium Chunky Tomato Bisque
PER SERVING (1 cup): 130 calories, 3.5g fat, 340mg sodium, 21g carbs, 3g fiber, 14g sugars, 3g protein — POINTS® value 2*
VS.
Trader Joe’s Organic Light in Sodium Tomato Bisque
PER SERVING (1 cup): 130 calories, 4g fat, 340mg sodium, 21g carbs, 3g fiber, 14g sugars, 3g protein — POINTS® value 2*
Compare the labels on these cans and you’ll see what we’re talking about. The ingredients are the same. The nutritional info is practically the same. These products TASTE the same. Like the Popchips/Popped Potato Chips situation, this is likely a case of “private labeling,” in which a food company makes a deal with a store chain to label its products under the store’s name or a private brand name, usually for a lower price. (If this sounds shady, trust us, it’s NOT. It happens ALL the time.) If you have a TJ’s by you, pick up a can and taste the similarity. We’re all about saving a few bucks when we can, especially since our BFF Amy still gets PLENTY of our business.
Boca Meatless Ground Crumbles
PER SERVING (1/2 cup): 60 calories, 0.5g fat, 270mg sodium, 6g carbs, 3g fiber, 0g sugars, 13g protein — POINTS® value 1*
VS.
Morningstar Farms Meal Starters Grillers Recipe Crumbles
PER SERVING (2/3 cup): 80 calories, 2.5g fat, 230mg sodium, 5g carbs, 3g fiber, <1g sugars, 10g protein — POINTS® value 1*
We’ve been listing these products as interchangeable FOREVER. It may seem like Morningstar’s version has more calories, but check out the serving sizes — it actually has the same amount of calories as Boca’s. Both have a nice ground-beef-like taste, both are super-convenient ways to jazz up plain food items (hey there, Tomato Bisque!), and both come frozen. The difference? Well, the new Boca bags are re-sealable. Unfortunately, the Boca crumbles are harder to find in our area, so we’re content to keep stuffing our Morningstar Farms bags into Ziplocs to keep the little soy crumbles from getting all over our freezer. Whichever we can get our hands on, we’ll buy.
FiberPlus Antioxidants Chewy Bars
PER SERVING (1 bar): 120 – 130 calories, 4 – 5g fat, 50 – 55mg sodium, 24 – 26g carbs, 9g fiber, 7g sugars, 2g protein — POINTS® value 2*
VS.
Fiber One Chewy Bars
PER SERVING (1 bar): 130 – 150 calories, 2 – 4.5g fat, 90 – 120mg sodium, 28 – 31g carbs, 9g fiber, 9 – 11g sugars, 2 – 3g protein — POINTS® value 2 – 3*
Now that Fiber One makes EVERYTHING, it’s not surprising to see it pop up again on this list. As big fans of the F1 brand, especially these Chewy Bars, seeing knock-off fiber-filled gooey bars makes us a little sad… and a little happy. Both brands make a simple chocolatey variety, but the FiberPlus bars also come in a Dark Chocolate Almond flavor, which is kinda cool. However, the folks at Fiber One are continually cranking out new flavors (Oats & Apple Streusel! Chocolate Mocha!) — that’s pretty hard to top. F1 ROCKS!!!