For MOMS & MOMS-TO-BE and BABIES 7 MONTHS+
I’ll be the first to admit that the vast majority of meat replacements are not good. In fact, they are down right disgusting! My take has always been that if you are looking for something to replace your meat products one-for-one, by having it taste and feel like actual meat, you aren’t going to find it. These products are generally filled with hydrolyzed vegetable proteins (whatever that is!), fillers, preservatives, etc. to make them ‘some-what’ resemble the real thing, when in all actuality they are probably worse for you anyway.
As someone who doesn’t eat meat, I don’t want a “meat replacement”, I want to eat something that taste so good that I don’t miss eating meat or have any desire to eat it. However, I do realize that there are many people out there who don’t look at it this way and really do enjoy eating meat and everything that goes along with that (including the taste, texture, nostalgia, etc.) For them, finding a product that can be used in the same manner meat is, and still tastes great, is of utter importance.
And for those people, Neat is their answer!
THE PRODUCT: Neat was developed by a mother whose children decided they were no longer going to eat meat, thanks to some videos they saw about how the animals became their dinner. They still wanted to eat the same “meat-based” foods, just without the animal products. Well after much experimentation, this mom came up with a garbanzo bean and nut mixture that she thought had a remarkable resemblance to the real thing. When her kids tried it, they said, “This isn’t meat, this is NEAT!” and the name stuck.
100% vegetarian, soy-free, gluten-free, and guilt free, Neat is an easy-to-make, great tasting replacement for ground beef and can be used in many of your family’s favorite dishes. Available in 4 different varieties, including Original, Italian, Mexican, and Breakfast, all of which come in a powdered form, all you need to do is add water, eggs (or an egg equivalent), mix well, and you’ve got yourself “Neat” Crumbles, Burgers, Lasagna, Sausage Patties, Meatballs… the possibilities are practically endless.
NUTRITION-WISE: Unlike your typical meat-replacement products that are filled with tons of artificial ingredients, stabilizers, etc., Neat is made of just a few, simple, whole food ingredients that not only taste great, but are just as good for you.
Using pecans and garbanzo beans, gluten-free whole grain oats and organic whole grain gluten-free cornmeal as the top ingredients in all of their varieties, you will also find a mix of garlic, onion, and spices in various combinations to make up the four different flavors.
Containing around 190 calories, 130 or so coming from healthy fats, you will also find around 4 grams of fiber, 4 grams of protein, and 2 grams of sugar (depending on which Neat product you choose).
*Neat is probably one of, if not the ONLY meat-replacement product that I would feel totally good about feeding my young child. Filled with nothing but healthy and nutritious ingredients, the fact that Neat is low in sugars, does not contain anything artificial, and is choke full of healthy fats, fiber, and even some protein, makes these products a great choice for kids no matter what their age. In fact, as soon as your child gets comfortable ‘gumming’ a variety of vegetables, as well as some oatmeal and other whole grains, I would have no issue feeding this to my baby (probably around 7 or 8 months, at the earliest).
However, since this product does contain both nuts and corn ingredients, two foods that can cause allergic reactions, please be mindful of how your child is feeling after introducing Neat and stop immediately if you see any negative reactions.
WHERE TO BUY: Neat products can be purchased directly through their website, or to find the retail location nearest you, please visit their Store Locator (click the link at the top).
FINAL THOUGHTS: I was very skeptical about trying Neat for the first time. Since I have no desire to “replace” meat in my life, I didn’t really find a need to eat these products. However, after trying a Neat taco, I was blown away by how much I actually enjoyed it! I was also shocked by how simple the ingredients’ list was, making me amazed that this product wasn’t developed sooner!
Whether using Neat in my weekly recipes, or preparing foods for the next big game get-together (which of course is full of meat eaters!), Neat’s line of meat-replacement products are definitely top on my list.
Try any or all of Neat’s products today and see for yourself how amazingly delicious Neat meat-replacement foods can be.
To learn more about Neat and to try them out for yourself, please visit their website and check them out on Facebook.
And remember, Contact Healthy.Fit.Fab…Moms today to create a personalized plan so you and your family can live a healthy, fit, and fabulous life!