Three Stars Archives

Strawberry Low Fat Yogurt

They say: This yogurt for the person on the go has a rich, creamy texture and real strawberries to make it great.

I say: I'm still not big on the idea of powdered yogurt with the glut of yogurt found on just about every street corner. Plus it's not filling. But this was much MUCH better than the Blueberry Low Fat Yogurt. It could also be that I made it better. I used 2/3's water, still too soupy, and I let it sit in the fridge for 4 hours. It was quite tangy. I also liked the chunks of strawberries.

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Reviewed: January 26, 2005
4 Reviews

Caramel Dessert Bar

They say: Who says you can't be a little decadent on your diet? Our Caramel Dessert Bar is rich enough to satisfy any sweet tooth.

I say: Not at all what I expected. I thought it would have a layer of caramel, like it oozes in the picture. Instead it was moist. That's cool though, it helped to make it chewy.

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Reviewed: January 13, 2005
26 Reviews

Cappuccino Coffee - Unsweetened, Decaffeinated

They say: This low-calorie, sugar-free coffee also provides you with a little extra protein to help boost your metabolism.

I say: I'm really not a coffee aficionado so I'm guessing this was ok. A tad bitter, but I wasn't about to add a lot of sugar. I used about more milk than water. I had it sit for awhile to cool down and ended up with some fine grains at the bottom of the cup.

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Reviewed: January 13, 2005
4 Reviews

Soy Pretzels

They say: Crunchy, crispy and lightly salted. You'll love this healthy, soy version of a favorite snack.

I say: These were interesting. Very dried, almost like Melba Toast, with an odd texture. Not at all smooth like Mini Pretzel Twists. By themselves I give it 3 stars, but with a smidgen of peanut butter I give it a 5.

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Reviewed: September 26, 2004
22 Reviews

Cheddar Cheese Crunchy Curls

They say: Real cheddar taste in a crunchy low-fat interpretation of the classic snack.

I say: Unfortunately these have nothing on the original Cheetos. The very light coloring fails the cheesy fingers test. Fortunately they make up for it with a generous portion. One of the larger desserts I've eaten so far.

Note: This product is not part of NutriSystem Nourish, the new Glycemic Index program.

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Reviewed: August 25, 2004
11 Reviews

Chocolate Fudge Cake

They say: With 8 grams of protein, this moist, chocolate cake will quickly become your favorite new healthy dessert.

I say: This is a new addition. It's moist but not very fluffy, more in a flat compact kind of way with a smidgen of frosting on the top. It's the size (height & width) of a brownie found in a vending machine.

Recipes using Chocolate Fudge Cake: Chocolatey Shortcake

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Reviewed: August 22, 2004
31 Reviews

Lemon Crisps

They say: Delicate crispy lemon waffle cookies.

I say: These were interesting, a hint of lemon, more wafer like. Only 60 calories makes it totally worth it though!

Note: This is a NutriSystem Classics meal. (These favorites fit into your meal plan's caloric recommendation and may be selected as part of your NutriSystem program; however, they are not low-glycemic items.)

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Reviewed: August 1, 2004
8 Reviews

Beef Tacos

They say: Dinner's a fiesta with this favorite of beef, green peppers, chili powder and red peppers served with crispy corn tortilla shells.

I say: I kept expecting to find beans in this. Would have been nice. I was surprised to see how nicely the freeze dried sauce turned out, just thick enough. The chunks of freeze dried meat however was a bit chewy.

Recipes using Beef Tacos: Tempting Taco Salad

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Reviewed: April 26, 2004
27 Reviews

Pasta Salad with Ham

They say: Enjoy the great taste of pasta salad and real ham for a meal that can go with you anywhere.

I say: I wasn't too crazy about the sauce. It was a bit too thick and tasted soupy. Other than that it was okay, a nice change to have a cold meal.

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Reviewed: April 20, 2004
12 Reviews

Scrambled Egg Mix with Cheese

They say: With the flavor of real cheddar cheese, these scrambled eggs have a cheesy taste you'll love.

I say: I liked the eggs but really didn't taste the cheddar cheese. I'm better off adding a slice of fat free mozzerella.

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Reviewed: April 20, 2004
22 Reviews

Zesty Cajun Style Chicken with Wild Rice

They say: Spice up dinner with a tasty combination of sausage, chicken, fresh tomatoes, rice, garlic and chili powder.

I say: Zesty = Spicy. Surprisingly this grew on me pretty quickly. I was about to pan it after the first bite, but after a couple of bites I found myself liking it more and more.

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Reviewed: April 12, 2004
19 Reviews

Sweet and Sour Chicken

They say: With a tangy sauce, real chicken and fresh green peas, this healthy Chinese dish has all the flavor without all the calories and fat.

I say: Yup it's the same reddish sauce found in sweet n sour dishes sans the breaded fried meat. I tasted the noodles and even the peas way more than I did the chicken though.

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Reviewed: April 8, 2004
29 Reviews

Mushroom Gravy Over Salisbury Steak and Rice

They say: Rich gravy, brown rice, garlic flavor and a little rice vinegar give this favorite its distinctive flavor.

I say: I like that they used brown rice and the serving of meat is what is health experts agree on, the size of a deck of cards. Nice to see about 1/2 dozen or so of my favorite veggie, the mushroom, mixed in.

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Reviewed: April 5, 2004
10 Reviews

Chocolate Pudding

They say: Instant pudding makes for a simple way to have a quick chocolate treat anytime.

I say: Interesting taste. I may not have made this correctly. It's a bit too cold and consistency a bit too runny for pudding. Slight aftertaste made me use a few packets of Splenda to cut it.

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Reviewed: April 5, 2004
19 Reviews

Sliced Roast Beef and Gravy

They say: A meaty roast beef sandwich with brown gravy makes dinner tasty and satisfying.

I say: A bit chewy and despite all the gravy that's in the package the meat was a tad dry. Gravy was tasty and helped soften up the Whole Wheat Deli Roll.

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Reviewed: April 4, 2004
8 Reviews

Chicken Breast Patty

They say: So simple and delicious, this white meat chicken fillet sandwich is one dinner you're sure to enjoy.

I say: For some reason this tasted like tuna to me, could have used a bit more seasoning. Still it's a nice size and filling.

Updated 12/2006 NEW RECIPE! When it comes to versatility and flavor, this is a favorite with big appeal. This thick patty of white meat chicken has a wonderful taste, making it a satisfying dinner choice. Delicious as-is, just heated in the microwave, you can also serve this as a sandwich on a small, whole grain roll, as the package suggests. It's also a great salad topper for your favorite greens. No matter how you fix it, this is an all-American.

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Reviewed: April 4, 2004
16 Reviews

Turkey Hot Dogs

They say: A great low-calorie version of a lunch classic, our turkey hot dogs taste great and prepare in just minutes.

I say: Preparing myself to be as shocked as I was when I first encountered the size of the Thin Crust Pizza with Cheese these are surprisingly "normal" in length. They look stout in the picture, but I believe it's just the angle. Pretty good for a turkey dog, 'specially with a slice of fat free cheese. Eaten with the Whole Wheat Deli Roll.

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Reviewed: April 2, 2004
23 Reviews

Oatmeal

They say: Enjoy this hearty classic and know you're having a breakfast that will keep you going the whole morning.

I say: I'm still trying to figure out what that yellow thing in the picture is. A lemon? Can't be a banana based on the shape. A peach slice? In any event as far as plain oatmeal goes, this was fine. I didn't spice it up with sugar or cinnamon or fruit. I mixed it with 1/2 water 1/2 soy milk.

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Reviewed: April 2, 2004
14 Reviews

Chicken Noodle Soup

They say: Tender noodles and real chicken make this soup a perfect mid-day choice.

I say: It just occurred to me what's been missing from most of these foods. Salt. I was prepping myself to taste something like Campbell's soup, but noticed this one didn't have the zing. I just checked and for this 7.5 oz bowl there are 520mg of sodium. A 10 oz can of Campbell's is 2290mg. That being said, this was just perfect for dinner.

Updated 12/2006 NEW RECIPE! Everybody's lunch favorite! A traditional, all-time favorite with delicious, homestyle taste. Tender chicken is combined with broad, curly noodles in a flavorful chicken stock. Add peas, carrots, other vegetables and seasonings, and you've got a soup that's so satisfying and good you'd swear it was homemade.

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Reviewed: March 30, 2004
20 Reviews

Pot Roast - Gravy Over Beef, Potatoes and Carrots

They say: Pot roast just like mom used to make with juicy meat, fresh potatoes, carrots and thick gravy. I say:: Definitely need to add extra veggies to this meal. Preferably peas, carrots & mushrooms. Thick sauce, could be a bit thinner. Although the beef is soft enough to cut with a fork, it's a bit too chewy. I liked the potatoes, I saved those for last.

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Reviewed: March 30, 2004
143 Reviews

Mocha Shake

They say: There's nothing like a creamy coffee-flavored shake to help you get the protein you need for a balanced diet.

I say: Very thick, though you won't confuse it with a fast food shake. With a hint of mocha you can pretend it's a specialty blend.

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Reviewed: March 28, 2004
7 Reviews

Noodles with Chicken and Vegetables

They say: With real chicken, hearty noodles and less fat, this casserole is a smart lunch choice.

I say: While I liked the noodles, the heavy syrup was pretty bland. The peas & carrots made it feel like a stew.

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Reviewed: March 28, 2004
21 Reviews

Sour Cream and Onion Soy Chips

They say: Snack happy with the crunch of these protein-rich soy chips.

I say: Soy again saves the day. Tastes like the White Cheddar Soy Chips. A very slight taste of sour cream.

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Reviewed: March 28, 2004
19 Reviews

Apple Granola Bar

They say: Honey, dried apples and a touch of brown sugar give this granola bar its distinctive flavor.

I say: A bit sparse for a breakfast meal. Works better as a dessert or snack. Soft & chewy.

Updated 12/2006 NEW RECIPE! Slightly sweet. Slightly tart. This apple granola bar is a natural favorite! It won't take long for your taste buds to be tantalized with delicious granny-apple flavor as you sink your teeth into the chewy granola center. It's the perfect on-the-go breakfast bar.

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Reviewed: March 28, 2004
24 Reviews

BBQ Sauce over Beef, Beans and Rice

They say: With healthy brown rice, beef strips and black beans, you'll enjoy bold flavor and good carbohydrates.

I say: Who says you can't have your cake and B-B-Q. Heh. Tangy and spicy & made with brown rice whooo hoooo!. Strong taste of paprika. A very hearty and stick to your ribs kinda meal. Not nearly as many beef chunks, not strips, as shown in the picture.

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Reviewed: March 26, 2004
24 Reviews

Polynesian Style Pork with Rice

They say: This entré gets its distinctive flavor from fresh pineapple, tomatoes, bell peppers and a combination of Parmesan and Romano cheeses.

I say: Yowza! Very tangy. Must be the pineapple. I wasn't able to boil water in the traditional way, I had to use the microwave, so though the water got hot I'm not sure it did the trick. The rice seemed a bit under cooked and too much water made it a bit mushy. But mixed with extra vegetables took care of the excess liquid and overall it was tasty.

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Reviewed: March 24, 2004
5 Reviews

Green Pepper Steak with Rice

They say: A hearty dinner of lean steak strips and green bell peppers served with a splash of tamari sauce.

I say: Very thick & heavy sauce. I've read people say they have added a bit of water to thin it out. I've been dumping about 1-2 cups of mixed vegetables to "absorb" some of excess. More like chunks of very chewy cubed beef vs. lean steak strips.

Updated 12/2006 NEW RECIPE! This is hearty, flavorful, all-American fare! Tender beef and green peppers are sautéed together in a deep brown gravy that's perfectly seasoned with onions and a combination of savory spices. Served with brown rice, you have hearty, American-style fare at its absolute best. Just add your appetite!

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Reviewed: March 23, 2004
7 Reviews

White Cheddar Soy Chips

They say: Real cheddar cheese and crunchy soy satisfies your taste buds, as well as your diet, with great flavor and nutrition.

I say: Eh. I liked the Apple Cinnamon Soy Chips way better. Maybe it's the cheddar cheese that turned me off a bit. I don't care too much for white cheddar popcorn either.

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Reviewed: March 22, 2004
21 Reviews

Teriyaki Sauce and Beef with Rice

They say: Water chestnuts, bamboo shoots, wild rice, ginger and red bell peppers make this beef teriyaki dish a healthy, delicious dinner choice.

I say: Wish they used brown rice with this, again the sauce is pretty thick so must. Stir. Well. The seasonings however, could have been sharper.

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Reviewed: March 21, 2004
4 Reviews

Chocolate Macadamia Nut Biscotti

They say: Indulge in this biscotti's deep chocolate flavor and fresh taste of real macadamia nuts.

I say: I never had biscotti before and I read about it on the NutriSystem boards and was terrified. But again it was good. For those who don't know, apparently biscotti is sorta like a twice baked cookie. So it's quite dry. But it's a cookie. C'mon you can't knock that right?

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Reviewed: March 21, 2004
26 Reviews

Homestyle Chicken Noodles with Gravy

They say: Enriched wheat flour makes this healthy, homestyle choice one you'll want to enjoy over and over.

I say: Very soupyish not very gravyish. It felt like I was having Campbell's chicken noodle soup. Put it like this, when I was done, I drank the rest of the gravy. 'nuff said.

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Reviewed: March 21, 2004
19 Reviews

Beef and Mushroom Gravy with Rice

They say: Savor this hearty dinner of beef strips, brown rice and onions served with a delicious mushroom sauce.

I say: This was my first dinner. I was bracing myself for the worst what a relief I ended up pleasantly surprised. While the sauce was a bit thick and heavy, I really liked that they used brown rice.

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Reviewed: March 21, 2004
11 Reviews