Supermarket Guru For the Week of 11/24

I’m Phil Lempert with the New PRoduct Hits & Misses.
First Up, Milksplash Liquid Milk Enhancer Jammin Banana is a MISS.
A clever idea to get kids to drink more milk and the flavor itself is OK – a little artificial tasting, it’s the ingredients that will keep this from being a success. Number one is propylene glycol which is a form of mineral oil, along with natural and artificial flavors, sugar, artificial sweeteners and yellow #5. Why not just take a banana, puree it and add that to milk?  Retails for $2.49 for 1 oz.  Total Score is 75.

Pringles Tortillas Nacho Cheese is a HIT.
Pringles is really trying hard and trying a lot of new recipes. These nacho cheese chips are actually delicious and don’t have the typical Pringles texture or taste. 14 chips are 150 calories, 8 grams of fat and just 240 mg of sodium. Made from yellow corn flour, it looks like they got this one right, that is except for using MSG.  Retails for $1.69 for 6.4 oz.  Total Score is 86

Martita’s Tropical Hibiscus Mix is a HIT.
If you’re looking for a different mixer, or even your own non-alcoholic drink this could be your answer. Just water, jamaica (hibiscus) and sugar which produces a flavorful, but not overpowering taste. This is one mixer that will not compete with the alcohol and hibiscus itself is rich in antioxidants. One 8 ounce serving is 116 calories and 18 grams of sugars.  Retails for $9.99 for 33.8 fl oz.  Total Score is 87.

Purely Elizabeth Ancient Grain Hot Cereal Organic 6-Grain is a HIT.
This is a really good idea, to have a cereal that’s made up of oats, groats, millet, kniwa, amaranth, flax, quinoa, chia and hemp. A cereal that’s rich in protein; 7 grams, with 0 grams of sugars. The problem is the  directions on the package need to be revised – following them exactly our cereal came out more like soup than this picture on the package. You’ll need to experiment, but probably use about half as much water or milk than they recommend.  Retails for $6.99 for 14 oz.

True Solution Nutrition Shake Chocolate Flavor is the HIT OF THE WEEK.
Don’t let the fact that this shake is made with a base of pea protein fool you. This is actually a delicious and very nutritious beverage. The chocolate flavor is excellent, the mouthfeel is perfect. One container is 270 calories, 10 grams of fat, 10 grams of sugars, with a whopping 17 grams of protein. The fact that it is free of the 8 major food allergens is a bonus.  Retails for $2.49 for 11 oz.  Total Score is  92