Before diving into my Like It Wednesday post, I want to remind everyone who’s participating in the Hate-Loss Challenge this month that tomorrow is Group Therapy Day here on my blog. If possible, create a progress post for your blog and then come back here at that time to share your link and comment if you’d like. If you do not have a blog, simply add your thoughts in the comments section of my post tomorrow. I’m looking forward to hearing how things are going for each of you, and have my own thoughts that I can’t wait to share.
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All right ladies and gentlemen…I had hoped by now that I’d have hula-hooped my way towards today’s Like It Wednesday post but it hasn’t shown up yet; that’s OK, because I have a great backup post and I haven’t been this excited about a supermarket find since, since…..well, I don’t know when!
Behold: Joseph’s Oat Bran & Stone Ground Whole Wheat pita bread and Joseph’s Flax Oat Brand & Whole Wheat Lavash bread; they are amazing.
Normally, I don’t care for pita bread only because I can never get the darned things open without ripping them to pieces, and then all of the filling falls out. It’s like watching a 4 year old eat. But these pitas, they pop open like a champ and are strong enough to stuff full of goodies.
The best part? Each pita is only 60 calories. No, not 60 calories per half – 60 calories for the whole pita, and has 5 grams of fiber. The Lavash Bread is 100 calories, has 6 grams of fiber and is perfect for rollups because each one is 12 inches long by 9 inches wide.
I know what you’re thinking: she must not have a very good social life if she gets this excited about bread…poor thing. Maybe. But, still – can you imagine the possibilities here??
*note* The following paragraph makes me wish that I was one of those foodie bloggers with great looking shots of my glorious creations. But since I’m not, you’ll have to imagine, sorry:
I’ve been spreading the inside of my pita bread with hummus and then filling it with couscous and chopped tomatoes. I also use it for a big ole’ breakfast sandwich with Egg Beaters, chopped veggies and Laughing Cow cheese. Last night I put some Morningstar sausage style recipe crumbles into a pan, cut up some onion and poured in just enough bbq sauce to make a sloppy joe and filled each half pita full of the mixture. I haven’t experimented enough with the lavash bread yet, but have made a few really yummy turkey sandwiches out of them.
I’ve searched every supermarket in town for these, and so far the only place I can find them is Wal-Mart (which is good, because I’m sure there must be a Wal-Mart where you live, hopefully). However, before you begin searching, go to Joseph’s website, scroll down to the bottom of the page and plug in your zip code; they will tell you exactly where you can find them.
Are there any other diet-friendly breads that I need to know about? I am always on the lookout because I cannot give up bread, no matter how hard I try. (I was not a happy camper while giving The Atkins Diet a try, just ask my husband.)
I was not contacted by Joseph’s Bakery nor was I compensated for reviewing these items. I’m mentioning Joseph’s Bakery bread as part of my Like it Wednesday series because in my opinion, it was simply worth writing about.
I really like the Earth Grains Thin Buns, Arnold’s Sandwich Thins, and the same version by Pepperidge Farm. My only concern with these breads is that they contain either aspartame or sucralose, and I really don’t want to ingest artificial sweeteners. I feel like it’s poisonous, and I’m all about caring for my body… not harming it. That said, I do eat these things a few times per week.
Good morning, Michele. You raise a point that many people relate to. I believe it comes down to each individual’s personal preference. Some people (my father for instance, who was diabetic) had one of two choices: either digest foods with artificial sweetener and stay on plan, or eat sugar and lose control of his diabetes. I certainly commend people who are able to stay away from any and all artificial ingredients; it takes diligence and constantly re-educating oneself, and even though I choose to include processed foods and sweeteners on occasion I do so because it is one way I am able to stay on track with my diet plan. (This would make a great topic for conversation, wouldn’t it?)
I did check the website for Joseph’s Bakery and they list sucralose as next to last on their nutritional info list, so it appears there isn’t much in there but how little, I unfortunately don’t know.
*edit* I just came home with the flax oat brand and whole wheat pita and the only sugar ingredient listed is dextrose;
I stay away from pitas for the same reason! I’m going to have to see if they have them in my neck of the woods. I use the plain old Walmart brand wheat bread. Nothing fancy.
There’s just something about me and bread that equal a beautiful relationship; and when the calories are low enough to where I don’t have to feel guilty, I’m in heaven! Thanks for reading today, FM
My husband has been getting some great flatbreads from Costco that sound like these. 100 calories and full of fiber and protein. I think they make great pizzas!! We do the “rounds” for bread which are pretty low-cal too but I got a bit addicted and was eating them for snacks. Overeating them:(
I thought the comments above were interesting… I ingest a ton of artificial sweetener. (She says as she sips her third mug of tea with splenda before 8:00am.) I do think twice about it. But, shoot.
Good morning, Karen. I responded to Michele’s comment regarding sweeteners if you’re interested in coming back to read and/or join the conversation. I think a lot of people have concerns over this and it’s understandable, however I use sweeteners as a tool in helping me to maintain my weight loss. I probably should wean myself off of them more but I swear, I think there’s no pleasure to be found in food anymore unless it’s out to kill us. Augh!
I’m a huge fan of Flatout flat bread. They are GI-NORMOUS and have only 90 calories and 9G of fiber per piece. I have 1/2 a piece each morning. I crisp it up in the oven and then use it as a chip to eat my egg beaters/veggie medley.
Oh and one of my favorite meals is this: shred a zuc, add lots of mushrooms, garlic, tomatoes, herbs and cook it all up together. Spread this on top of a crisped up Flatout for an indulgent tasting pizza! Yummy!
Oh, boy – now I know what I’m having for dinner tonight. I have all of those ingredients in my frig right now! Thanks Roxie (and yes, the flatbreads are a staple in my kitchen as well). Thanks for reading this morning
My local BJ’s carries a product by Damascus Bakeries out of Brooklyn NY that is simply called “Roll-Ups” (similar to the lavash). There is also a pita pocket from the same bakery. I like them better than anything out on the market. Hands down they beat Flatout by a mile. I also enjoy La Tortilla Wraps. Most of them are around 90 calories and 10 or 12 grams of fiber per wrap. I especially like the rye and pumpernickle wraps.
Having said that, I am such a bread lover, I don’t really consider these items to be bread – lol! Give me a slice of good, hearty, dark, grainy bread and I’m in heaven. I’ll forgo a pita for that anytime.
Helen, I just came back from perusing Damascus Bakery online and no one here carries their products
I am a woman on a mission however, and if you like them that much then I WILL find them. As God as my witness!! lol
Seriously, I’m going to hunt for them whenever I’m out of town and I’ll let you know if I ever get my hands on any – thanks for the tip!
I LOVE all of Joseph’s products. I love their tortillas to make a wrap with turkey and hummus…mmmm!
My daughter bought Pepperidge Farm 100% Whole Wheat sandwich thin rolls yesterday. I had a sandwich on one. They are 100 calories per roll. Very yummy! (for bread..I’m not a big bread person) I liked that they were whole wheat.
Ooh, Julie those are really yummy, too. I could only WISH that I weren’t a big bread person. Thanks for stopping by today.
I’ll definately have to try this. Bread and sugar, that’s where it’s at for me…. BTW, got my hula hoop last night. They only had 3 lb ones, but I think that’ll be ok for me. I tried it last night and it was just as much fun as I remembered! The little ones wanted me to do it today and I have to say, they were amazed! Davis couldn’t believe his mom knew how to do that! He kept saying things like, “Wow! How do you keep that up without your hands?” and, “I think I see you getting skinnier right now.”
Hi Ellen, found your blog via a comment on Michele’s Healthy Cultivations. Just wanted to stop by and say how much I like your blog. I’ve bookmarked it and will visit often!! Have a good day!
I tried giving up bread several times. It wasn’t pretty. When friends suggest you “go buy a loaf of Wonder” you realize it’s probably not in your best interests to continue. Unless you don’t mind being lonely.
I mostly eat a high-fiber, grain tortilla for my bread needs. I can make pizza or nachos or “burgers” (ground meat, cheese, lettuce, tomato, chopped pickles and mustard) or use them to make sandwich wraps. Oh! Or burritos. I also have a loaf of grainy bread in the fridge for when I want a traditional sandwich. It’s 100 cal/slice, but it’s a large loaf so I just cut the slice in half for my sammich.
It’s possible to eat bread and survive.
Cammy, you have such a good sense of humor. Love your comments! Thanks for reading today
It’s not diet, but I eat Big Sky wheat bread. It is so dense and fiber-full that one slice is enough.
I just looked up the nutritional info on Big Sky bread….100 calories per delicious slice…only five ingredients, fresh ground wheat flour, honey, yeast, salt and water.
Thank you for the info on this, as I’ve never heard of this brand before, and I like those stats! I’m headed off to their website to see if I can get it around here. Thank you for coming back to let me know
great review!
I am a bread lover myself. Seriously, my favorite thing. Or is that cheese….? or the two together.
anyway, I find that instead of searching out “diet” breads, I’m much happier just enjoying the real thing (in all its yeasty, crusty goodness) but in moderation
HMMMMM – I am going to have to see if I can find some of those breads. We love pizza around here – and having the chance for each person make their own sounds great. I also love veggie pitas with a little cheese in them, but like you, they are not pretty.
Thanks for sharing!