Bacon wrapped scallops from Target

What to get: a box (or more) or Archer Farms bacon wrapped scallops
Where to get it: Target frozen food section

Why we approve: it's a good source of protein and fats, and the ingredients are ok. All the nitrates you see are coming from the bacon and if you have been keeping up with recent studies, you would know they are not a big deal at all. Just make sure you don't eat this every day 3 times a day and you will be fine. Honestly it's very convenient if you want a quick appetizer or even if you want to make this your main protein source for the meal. 250 cals and 14 g protein for one serving or double up for a meal!

Preparation: preheat the oven to 375F.  We transferred the frozen bits to a cast iron pan, but you could do it on a cookie sheet or a foil covered pan (to save time from washing). Cook for 20-25 min or until you see the bacon is golden brown.

Variations: Like I said you can serve these as an appetizer, before your meal, or eat them as a main protein source alongside some salad or soup. They would be amazing with some tomato basil soup and rice crackers on the side (if carbs permit). Another good option would be to combine them with split pea soup (Trader Joe's have an excellent canned version). For the person in a hurry, while they are cooking, you can just toss some salad greens with balsamic dressing and top your salad with the bacon and scallops.

Pros: Good amount of protein, satisfying, great taste. Moderately easy to prepare and great for company.
Cons: Price is around 5$ which is a bit much for the amount of calories, but the quality was good for a frozen product so we are still giving it a positive review!

Stagg Vegetable Garden Four Bean Chili

No matter how hard you look, a decent canned chili is hard to find. They might taste great, but check the labels, as they tend to filled with things you don't want to eat! 

I looked long and hard at the supermarket until I found a can of chili that met MealSurvivor standards. Actually, I found two, but one tasted terrible!

This one tastes good and has decent ingredients, but don't make the mistake of thinking that other Stagg's are similar in quality. Not so, as most cans of Stagg had soy and/or soybean oil, plus other things that make me shudder when I say them. ;)

Stagg Vegetable Garden Four Bean Chili

Stagg Vegetable Garden Four Bean Chili

What to get: A can of Stagg Vegetable Garden Four Bean Chili

Where to get it: Most supermarkets (I get this at Pavilions or Vons).

Why we approve: Chili is filling, and a meal in itself. Few questionable ingredients (Natural Butter Flavor?).

Ingredients: Water, Tomatoes, Beans, Black Beans, Kidney Beans, Corn, Tomato Paste, White Beans, Chili Seasoning (spices. Paprika. Sugar. Salt. Flavoring), Dehydrated Onions, Dehydrated Carrots, Modified Cornstarch, Jalapefio Peppers (contains Salt, Vinegar), Cornmeal, Salt, Onion Powder, Dehydrated Bell Peppers, Dehydrated Tomatoes, Spices, Garuc Powder, Natural Butter Flavor.

Nutrition: Calories, 200 per serving (can contains two servings), Total Fat 1.1g, Sodium 890mg, Carbohydrates 37.0g, Fiber 8.1g, Sugars 8.9g, Protein 10.0g

Preparation: It's a can of chili. Open it and heat it. I eat big meals, so I ate the whole can, plus some cheese.

Variations: Top with cheese, avocado, or sour cream, because it's really low in fat.

Cons: A little salty for some, and too low in fat to be satisfying for some.

Pros: Easy to keep in the office, filling, and contains no animal protein or gluten.

 

Do Not Eat!

Most of us have good, solid mental lists of foods that are good for us, but the "bad foods" escape us.

Are there truly bad foods? Sure, foods like transfats (most shortening and many margarines) have no place in our diets AT ALL.

Here's a reminder of our MealSurvivor "Bad Guy" foods. Put it memory or print it off and take it with you when you shop. Either way, avoid or minimize these "bad guys!"

Bad Guys

There are ingredients in our foods that prevent us from being at our optimal health, weight or performance levels. You may see these as ingredients on boxes and labels, items on restaurant menus, or you may encounter them as single items at the grocery store, either way, stay away.

YOU WANT TO COMPLETELY AVOID:

CORN OIL

SOYBEAN OIL

VEGETABLE OIL
SEED OILS (SUNFLOWER, SAFFLOWER, ETC.)
MARGARINE

SHORTENING

HYDROGENATED FATS

TRANS FATS

NON DAIRY CREAMER

HIGH SODIUM FOODS

YOU WANT TO MINIMIZE:

SUGAR AND SWEETS

HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP

ARTIFICIAL SWEETENERS

SODA AND JUICE

FANCY COFFEE DRINKS

ALCOHOL

HEAVILY PROCESSED PACKAGED FOODS

DEEP FRIED/BREADED FOODS

SALAD DRESSING

SOY PRODUCTS
SESAME SEED OIL (when sprinkled as a seasoning, it's ok)

PROCESSED GRAINS

We did try to keep the list short and easily remembered, but if you see one we left off, let us know in the comments or drop us a line here.

Wholly Guacamole at Target

What to get: Wholly Guacamole, box of six 2oz packets (also available as one large family size packet)

Where to get it: Target Stores (and Fresh & Easy, too).

Each box contains six of these packets

Why we approve: Guacamole is almost pure avocado, and super healthy. Guacamole makes almost anything taste better, including leftover chicken and raw veggies!

Preparation: Just tear open a packet and squeeze the guac onto your food or plate.  

Variations: Great on meat, chicken, veggies, or eggs. It takes everything to the next level. Guacamole should be enjoyed with breakfast foods, lunch foods, snack foods, and dinner foods!

Pros: Avocado is a practically a superfood. A measured amount means controlling portions and calories is easy. Vacuum sealed packets keep it fresh and green. Just enough salt and peppery zing. 100 calories is more than you expect. As you can see in the above picture, it's quite a little blob of awesome.
Cons: More expensive than making your own, but still not bad. Garlicy...

Enjoy!