I was in GNC a month or so ago, looking for low carb tortillas. There were none. Only brownie mixes, muffin mixes and pancake mixes. All of these products cost upwards of $7 CDN for one small packet. My problem was not only the price, but the poor nutrition content of these products. I reasoned to myself that most of us low carbers don't eat these things every day, but just oncein awhile as a very costly treat both to our woe and to our pocketbooks.

Then I ran into a woman who was perusing the low carb section. She picked up a package of the brownie mix, the muffin mix and several packages of baked cheese chips that I later discovered were over $6 each (An expensive snack if you ask me). I must have had a frown on my face because she asked me what I thought of these products. I told her that I had been low carbing for over 3 years and that those products were overpriced, and were not likely to induce weight loss (not that she needed it, she was a skinny little thing).

She said that she was buying stuff for her boyfreind who was doing Atkins. I told her that she could make most of this stuff at home for a fraction of the cost if she went to get the right ingredients. She looked at me and said 'oh. I don't cook, and neither does my boyfriend.'

I told her that if her boyfriend was planning on having any success on this diet that one of them would have to learn. I gave her a link to several of my favourite recipe websites and she seemed encouraged and grateful for the help. I also noticed that she put back some of the overpriced Atkins products that she had originally picked up.

I asked the salesperson if they had any tortillas or bread or low carb products that were not junk food. He replied that they were supposed to be getting them in soon, but he couldn't say when.

I am not a big fan of any low carb packaged products, but I thought that the tortilas would be great for burritos, or to stuff with healthy ingredients. But when they do get then in, I refuse to pay $10 for 4 of them to a package at GNC.

Although there were nofor a bag the same size as any grocery store brand but only 1/4 full.

What I have always loved about low carbing is the emphasis on fresh, home cooked food. I love the way it makes me turn my nose up at all those people on the subway eating McDonalds from a brown paper bag, when I know I'm on my way home to a lovely piece of sole with lemon butter and fresh steamed broccoli. And that ounce for ounce, I'm paying less for my dinner than the McDonalds value meal.

I think back to the woman in the GNC. She was ready to spend $100's of dollars so that her boyfriend could low carb. Why are junk food products the only ones that are available at a GNC? (General Nutrition Centre, my patootie!)

I am not blind to the laws of marketing and I know that junk food sells and that any time you can make guilt free junk food available to the masses, you can charge an arm and a leg for it. But I'd like to see these stores taking a little more responsibility for the Genreal Nutrition of their Customers instead of offering nothing but cheat foods and items with low nutritional value.

I find this amusing because I was contacted by a reporter about this very thing. She/He had read a thread I posted about saying no to lc products. I got an e-mail asking if he/she could interview me on the topic for SmartMoney magazine. I was expecting the phone interview today, but they never called. I will tell them about you opinions in this thread if they do.

Good luck all!!
Seesko



242/229/135

"What my mind can envision; my body can master!"

Jenabee, did you see my reply in the lowcarbbandwagon thread?

277/234.5/190

my low carb tortillas are from La Tortilla, thats just crazyness, that price is way too over what is normal. Can you get your tortillas at the market? Albertson's here carrys them, and even the smaller independent markets I am finding actually have MORE low carb choices. I guess they have more flexibility as to what they can order and stock.

When I see them, I tend to buy a few packs, give one to my bf, then freeze a pack. They're so good and only 3 grams.

216?/199/140'ish
started 1/1/04

oop one more thing ..

The cost of the Atkins shakes, 2.99 for one, or a box of 4 for 10.99 ! Geezus. That is way high here and thats the going price for them anywhere.

216?/199/140'ish
started 1/1/04

I get my tortillas from Netrition.com. They have a flat delivery fee (same amount no matter how much you buy), their prices are really good, and they ship to Canada.


Always eat your veggies first!
LCE member since March 2002

Seesko,

I'll have to look for that thread as I would be very interested in reading your opinions on the matter.

I agree with saying no to many of the low carb products. Mainly the junk food ones. Many of us on this woe have worked hard to break out of the fast food mentality, only to be offered fast food alternative that encourage us to eat eat eat all the time.

Ron, I read your reply and thanks for the info. Although Subway is fast food. I like the idea of being able to stuff a wrap with veggies and other low carb things. I eat them when in desperation at the mall. But I'm going to look into those tortillas. I like theidea of making my own burritos and tacos!

Low carb tortillas are good for hot dogs as well. It is more enonomical if you can find a local supplier as the local retailer charges about 5-6 bucks per package as opposed to my $7 per package, however, I got tired of them never being in stock so I did it out of convenience. They are not too bad on the website however, where you get nailed is for the shipping which I believe was $20 US.

277/234.5/190

i have not yet tried LC tortillas ... not sure if i can/should yet, as i am only in my 7th week.
can you tell how many carb and fiber grams are in the tortillas you eat??
thanks a bunch!

Atkins since 1/6/04
152/143/130

They state 3 net carbs and 8 grams of fiber.

277/234.5/190

Jenabee...ive been to GNC here in montreal and finally ive found things i can try...so i did buy the muffin mix....MAN WAS IT DRY!!!! not worth it...when you break them well they are all over you and the floor..i was going to try that soy pasta from italy...10$ about...not sure what it taste like..these werent the Atkin products but others...then i looked at the table syrup the Atkin one....like 6$ for that small thing...since im not a sweet eater i left it there...i bought pumpernickel bread that you make yourself...havent dont it yet...paid about 5$...i was looking for morning stuff mostly...i dont have time to cook for myself in the mornings or any mornings....the shakes..wow...4 little cans for 10$ yeah right...i'll stick to water lol..

i got that GNC discount card...you pay 15$ for it and you will see 2 prices on the packages...with the card you can save a lot more...so it was worth it...but yes...it is VERY expensive them places...so you have to be wise and do your own if you can...

lan

To Love is to risk not being loved in return. To try is to risk failure. But risk must be taken. Because the greatest hazard in life is to risk nothing.

I'm tired of seeing the lc junk food coming into the grocery stores. Why aren't they offering things like almond flour, which would be much more healthy for me than the snack foods. I asked at a few stores and was told that I could order it online. I already knew that but why can't someone stock it in their store, what's the big deal about ordering almond flour. Can't be the cost because none of the convenience food is low cost.

I did find finely ground almonds(very much like the flour) at Woodman's this week, 14 oz. for $1.49, which was a totally great deal so we bought 10 each. But that store is 2 hours away from my home, not easily accessible.

Joyce(lc since July,2002)
230/175/135

The low carb products are focused on the junk food because, as a society, we eat like crap and we are lazy. It's all convenience, convenience, convenience. I bet there are more people who "don't" cook than those who do, so of course they are looking for the pre-packaged "quick" products. Even before I started low carbing, I avoided boxed mixes and so called convenience foods because they really don't save that much time, and they are JUNK! Think about it - a TV dinner in a conventional oven takes between 30 and 45 minutes to bake. I can whip up a steak, roasted green beans and a salad in about 15 minutes! OK, I can't beat the speed of a Subway wrap, but generally the boxed stuff is no real savior.

Jen
175/129/120

Hubby and I tried LaTortilla tortillas the other night with tacos...and i'm definitely going to be ordering more from netrition.com! They were good...didn't taste a difference. In fact, helped my stall a little as well I think but that's just me.

I for one love GNC for the things I must have due to not being able to cook/eat real food for breakfast. Yes, I shy away from what I shouldn't have. But my GNC carries all atkins products at 20% all the time...and with their gold card, you get an additional 20% off the first 7 days of each month. Last month we bought 6 boxes of shakes, 4 boxes of bars, a few chocolate goodies for hubby and some vitamins and spent only $50.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Atkins as of 1/9/04
340/322/145 (someday I'll see it!!!)

72 sticks of butter GONE and I'm not looking for them!!

that would be ME..lazy... drive through queen but hey..i AM getting better about cooking stuff... much easier to know for SURE what is in it...
my chicken fajita in FRANKS hot sauce in a lc tortilla is only three net carbs... it has become my NEW taco bell..*L*...

NEW BLOOD! go easy on me.. i'm a rookie..