Protein bars are one of those items that I've loved the convenience of, but I was never convinced they were really good for me. Many have an ingredient list that boggles the mind. I'm not crazy about getting my protein from hydrolyzed collagen and soy. The makers of Quest Nutrition Protein Bars weren't excited about that either, so they set out to make a better protein bar. I believe they have succeeded.

I've tried a few recipes that have worked reasonably well for a hot cereal substitute, but they were kind of bland. Recently I was able to try Sensato Foods Hot Cereal and I can say it's anything but tasteless. I enjoyed a bowl of the apple cinnamon flavor and for just a few moments I was transported back in time, having that hot cereal with my siblings and mother.

One of the things low-carbers often bemoan is the lack of convenience items that fit on the plan. Sure there are a few foods like nuts, beef jerky (which you have to watch ingredients on) and the like, but filling low-carb meals you can just toss in the microwave are few and far between.

I think it's safe to say I've become a protein powder connoisseur. I've found it useful in various recipes, as well as its traditional use for shakes. One thing I've learned the hard way is that you get what you pay for. This is especially true when speaking of protein powder.

Meringue cookies were one of my favorite snacks while riding the low-fat roller coaster in my younger days. They were low in fat, crispy, and one of the few low-fat foods that I thought tasted wonderful. Now that I'm no longer shunning fat, meringues are something I rarely think about. In my mind they were always a low-fat thing. So I was happy when I discovered a company making a sugar-free meringue that low-carbers can enjoy.

For most low-carbers, reading food labels comes as naturally as breathing. Sadly we have to be very suspicious of everything commercially made. That being said, our newest low-carb cohorts may not yet understand the dangers of blindly believing any and all claims made by food manufacturers.

The Atkins Diet is probably the most well known low-carb plan in existence. Dr. Robert Atkins devoted his life to teaching people about healthy living and weight loss. Despite his success with a myriad of patients, his efforts were scoffed at and deemed dangerous by so-called experts in the health field. Thankfully the medical community is starting to realize the benefits of low-carb living and are finally showing Dr. Atkins the respect he deserved while he was still alive.

I'm a sucker for the combination of coffee and chocolate. My first ever sip of a Diary Queen Moolatte sent my tastebuds into orbit. Sadly, it sent my blood sugar soaring as well. Coming back down from that high was not pleasant at all, not to mention it's counter productive to weight loss and good health. Many times I have tired to find a substitute for my beloved Moolatte, only to end up with less-than-acceptable copies. Thankfully I came across a product from Big Train that will work in place of this high-sugar favorite.

Weight loss is a difficult venture. A simple search on the subject will leave your head spinning with information. Regrettably, you end up with a lot of misinformation and outright deception as well.

Amy Dungan reviews GG Scandinavian Bran Crispbread. One whole, somewhat large, cracker gives you seven carbs, with five of those being fiber.

Ann Louise Gittleman, author of The Fat Flush Plan, when speaking of Jonny Bowdens book Living Low Carb, says “If there’s anything you want to know about low-carbing, this is the book for you! Jonny Bowden has created an invaluale and encyclopedic health resource that belongs on every shelf.” I couldn’t agree more.

When I first heard about this tasty sounding new product called Grace Island Baked Cheese Crisps, I'll admit to having high hopes. Having lived through the whole "low-carb craze" era, where every manufacturer and his dog were pushing their products as low-carb, I'll also admit to being skeptical. Many of those products were not truly low-carb, and some of them were down right nasty tasting. (Nasty as in maybe a dog really did come up with the product.)