Awhile ago, I was sent a sampler pack of VitaTops and VitaBrownies to try out and review for the blog. I wanted to wait until I had tried enough to give my full review. Thanks, Katie from Vitalicious, for sending me these free samples.
I’ve seen these on blogs and the Hungry Girl emails (that I don’t get anymore), but I really didn’t know what to expect. Sweets that are too “healthy” tasting are usually a drag, in my opinion. If I’m going for a healthy dessert, give me a pear. However, I was pleasantly surprised with the flavor and texture of the VitaTops. They’re pretty darn good! Some better than others, but very YUM overall. As I think other bloggers have mentioned, they taste best when “jazzed up” by a smear of peanut butter or some lightly sweetened Greek yogurt. I also always warm them in the microwave for 20 seconds.
I admit, I like the chocolate versions better than the bran-y types. The more dessert-like flavors usually have sugar alcohols, which I’m not a huge fan of, but I figure as an occasional treat, it’s ok.
In order of my preference, here are the VitaTop flavors I’ve sampled (the website is being funky so they don’t all have links):
- Fudgy Peanut Butter Chip VitaTops
- Double Chocolate Dream VitaTops
- Banana Nut VitaTops
- Deep Chocolate VitaTops
- BlueBran VitaTops
- Multibran VitaTops
- Cranberry VitaTops (not enough Cranberries!)
I still have to try the Corn VitaTop flavor…and I think that’s it for my sampler? I didn’t put the Chocolate VitaBrownie on this list because I did not like these at all. When I opened that package, I was happy with how big they are (that’s what he said?), but I took a bite and was not a fan. I thought about having it crumbled up yogurt, but decided even that wouldn’t be good so I had the Chocolate Fig VitaTop (warmed) as my yogurt topping instead. Ah well, can’t win them all.
Kind of looks like a broken heart, no? The Greek yogurt/VitaTop combo is really filling, between the protein in the yogurt and the fiber from the VitaTop. I’ve been having these for dessert a few nights this week, and I think the satiating aspect helps me to not crave additional sweets when I’m done (as opposed to a cookie or something, where I eat one and then want ten more). The ingredient list is ok, with whole grains and mostly recognizable ingredients. And as you’d suspect from the name, they are enriched with lots of vitamins, which is a nice bonus.
I’m going to be sad when the last of my VitaTops are gone. I don’t think it’s in my budget to buy more, but I am on their email list and they do promotions and coupon codes quite a bit, so we’ll see. I would recommend these to anyone who wants a sensible yet tasty treat and doesn’t mind the “processed” factor that low-cal desserts sometimes have. I’d also recommend these to people who buy bakery muffins regularly…those can be SO bad for you and a VitaTop paired with some protein and/or fruit would make a quick and healthier breakfast on the go.
Have you tried the Vitalicious products? What do you think?
FYI, I think I want to include a few more reviews like these on my blog, because a) I like reading what other people like and b) this was pretty fun to write. Vitalicious was nice enough to send these to me for free, but I’m also planning on reviewing products that I actually went out and spent my own dough on. Ok and c) free stuff is cool. Yeah, I said it.
The rest of my day will be spent watching Entourage, going grocery shopping, procrastinating on the actual work I have to do and hanging out tonight with some friends and a few drinks known as the “Skinny B*tch” (raspberry vodka and club soda).
Happy Saturday!!
P.S. Thanks for all your kind words and thoughts on my last post. I don’t why I get so anti-blogging sometimes, I guess I was just in a funk. I’m not going anywhere, and I just need to be reminded sometimes that blogging is just supposed to be fun…which it is, thanks to you guys! E-hugs to you all.
/nerdfest
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I like the chocolate vita tops. I’ve had the corn ones and thought they were too dry.
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Great review. I’m not really into the Vitalicious products. They just don’t appeal to me, and I really thought I would love them! I hear they are better when heated, so maybe I should try that next time. I could also try the different flavors, as I’ve only tried the banana and the chocolate!
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yes! ive had the banana nut, deep chocolate, and mint chocolate, and triple chocolate chunk..i like all the chocolate ones the same and i LOVE the naner nut..it tastes like banana bread!
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i wasn’t crazy about the vitatops at first, but they did grow on me….
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I’ve only every tried the deep chocolate and bluberry bran vitamuffins and really enjoyed both. Actually, I’m kinda obsessed with eating a still-frozen deep chocolate one with a smear of PB, sooo good. And like you mentioned, the bran is pretty good with yogurt. I’m trying to ween myself off them though because at $1.25 for a small muffin, they are just too expensive to regularly buy. Special occasions only
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I think that the Vitatops are just ok. When I’m trying to be healthier and want a brownie or something like that, I’ll reach for one. Not sure if I’ll buy more when my stash runs out. I haven’t tried putting them on yogurt though…will have to give that a shot.
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I’ve never had one but I think that I would really enjoy them. They look like they would be a good snack before a workout.
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I tried the Vitatops after looking at the reviews on Amazon, and there were several that mentioned an unpleasant after-taste. I heated my Deep Chocolate Vitatop in the microwave for 20 seconds per suggestions on Amazon reviews, added sliced strawberries, and whipped topping – delicious! Then came the really unpleasant after-taste – tried brushing my teeth and eating cherries to get rid of the yucky taste in my mouth. Read the ingredients and the only thing I can think of that would leave such a bad taste is the zinc – I have zinc throat lozenges that have a similar unpleasant taste. I will not be eating these again, but for those who like them and have a Costco nearby, that’s the cheapest place to buy them at 12 for $9.99 as of July 2011.
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Way too expensive and not really that tasty.
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