Kashi has just launched a new product line. Instead of adding a new breakfast cereal or another on-the-go granola bar, they’ve added a whole new line of easy-to-prepare steam meals. The bags come microwave-ready so all you have to do is find it in the freezer aisle, throw it in the microwave, and serve.
These steam meals come in four different flavors, each containing an average of 35 grams of whole grains, 17 grams of protein, 8 grams of fiber, and only 9 grams of fat. Different flavors vary. Each are the same in that there are no artificial ingredients and they’re all minimally processed. The bags come in a single-serving size making it easy for you to not over indulge, however, multiple bags will need to be bought if you plan on serving the whole family. Listed below are the four different flavors currently available.
Sesame Chicken
This meal contains natural white and grilled chicken, 7 whole grain sesame pilaf, carrots, edamame, red peppers, and roasted green beans. It’s all topped off with a spicy citrus sesame sauce that seems to be not too heavy nor not too light. The nutritional facts are 35 grams of whole grains, 17 grams of protein, 8 grams of fiber, and 9 grams of fat (guideline is 3.5 grams or less). The meal has 300 calories, which is inline with nutrition guidelines for a meal like this. It does slightly exceed the 600 milligrams or less guidelines for sodium.
Roasted Garlic Chicken Farfalle
This next meal also includes natural white and grilled chicken, 7 whole grain farfalle pasta, asparagus, and spinach. The sauce on top is a roasted garlic, tomato, red wine and basil sauce. The nutrition facts are a tad different on this meal with 37 grams of whole grains, 15 grams of protein, 4 grams of fiber, and 9 grams of fat. You still get all of the flavor but with less fiber and less protein, and the same amount of fat that still exceeds nutritional guidelines for pre-packaged meals like these. This meal falls below the calorie guidline with 280 calories for the serving, so you’ll want to bulk out the meal with a salad or other fresh vegetables. It also comes in under the sodium guidelines with 570 milligrams of sodium.
Spinach and Artichoke Pasta
This third meal is the only vegetarian option from Kashi. The pasta version of this famous dip has 7 whole grain penne pasta, artichokes, roasted red peppers, cannellini beans, and spinach. On top of that you’ll taste a hint of lemon in the creamy Parmesan sauce. The whole grains are up to 41 grams, 13 grams of protein, 8 grams of fiber, and 9 grams of fat. Not the worst choice for any pasta loving vegetarian, except that the fat and sodium exceed nutritional guidelines on this one too. Again, the calories fall short at 280 for the meal, making it worth bulking out with more fresh veggies on the side.
Chicken Fettuccine
Last on the list is the chicken fettuccine meal. Of course it’s got more of the natural, white, and grilled chicken tossed with the 7 whole grain fettuccine pasta. The meal also includes broccoli (my favorite green veggie), mushrooms, tomatoes, and zucchini. The white wine creamy Parmesan sauce goes perfectly with the fettuccine meal. Nutrition facts include 43 grams of whole grains, 17 grams of protein (the more the better!), 5 grams of fiber, and 7 grams of fat. This meal has the least amount of fat but still twice as much as nutritional guidelines. This meal also provides the least amount of sodium, with 450 milligrams well within our guidelines, and a mere 270 calories. Again, have this meal with a fresh vegetable side.
If I had to choose one of the meals to eat, it would definitely be the chicken fettuccine with the highest protein and lowest fat combination, as well as lowest amount of sodium. I really meant it when I said there’s only one serving in the container. Though it’s very tasty, it’s also a small meal that wasn’t extremely filling by any means. Since I wasn’t in any sort of rush, I used the stove top to make the meal rather than the microwave. If you’ve got the time, preparing it on the stove will make it taste more homemade than nuking it. On the other hand, the microwaveable option is quick and easy that’s just as easy as taking a boring sandwich to work but much more pleasurable and complete.
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