I often get to try out cool keto products as one of the perks of my job and share the reviews with you. That’s a win-win if I ever saw one. 😉
While I love trying out new things, my favorite part is actually getting the opportunity to visit with the people behind the products. Most often, they’re regular folks who’ve decided they weren’t finding the options they wanted in the stores, so they’ve stepped up to create those options. That kind of moxie just impresses the heck out of me, because I know it’s no small undertaking.
Great keto products, interesting and passionate people, and I get the chance to hook you up at the same time. How cool is that? So here we go: the 4-1-1 on some cool low carb and keto products I’ve recently tried and enjoyed.
Oh yeah. Just a note here: it’s a good idea to support folks making low carb and keto products if you like what they’re doing. In writing this up, I unfortunately discovered some of the options I was planning on sharing aren’t available any more. So if you like what you try no matter where you find it, support these folks and and let others know!
Alternatsweets
Alternasweets makes Stevia-sweetened ketchup (think a thick, tomato puree style), BBQ sauce (yum) and my personal favorite, Spicy Tomato Ketchup. I wasn’t sure what to expect when I first tried it. I mean, Spicy Ketchup? But it was love at first bite. Sort of like if marinara and hot sauce had a delectable gourmet baby, this would be it.
Unquestionably, the products are great. But my favorite thing about Alternasweets was actually getting the chance to visit with Misti Green, one of the founders. She is so sweet–sweeter than the sauces, I daresay.
I also learned her husband Jared has been following Low Carb Zen since before it was Low Carb Zen–as in, back in the day I ran a low carb support forum over a decade ago. Whoa. The whole small world thing blows my mind sometimes.
Hi, Jared! Thanks for sticking with me so long. 🙂
I love the fact these sauces are sweetened with Stevia, so all-natural, but with absolutely no aftertaste or “offness” you can sometimes get using Stevia. The Alternasweets folks clearly worked on these recipes until they got it just right. Check out Alternasweets here.
Stout & Cellar Wines
Jamie, a wine-loving fan over at Low Carb Zen (and a Scout & Celler rep) brought these to my attention. Maybe you don’t think “wine” when you think “keto products,” but there are plenty of wine-loving ketoers, I’d be willing to bet.
Aside: Of you drink while low carbing, please realize it will pause any fat burning until the alcohol is gone from your system. Make informed choices!
But if you’re going to drink the wine, Stout and Cellar make wines without the sulfites or added sugar you’ll find in most wines. Jamie was kind enough to send me a couple of bottles to try out.
I had the Dove Hunt Dog Rosé and Genau Gruber Sparkling White.
Now, let’s get this out in the open right now: I’m not generally a wine drinker and know nothing of the subtleties here, so I cannot give you an educated review. I actually had to buy a corkscrew so I could taste them for you, okay?
I don’t want to misrepresent my (nonexistent) level of expertise.
With that said, I can say they tasted like good wine to me. Both seemed “lighter” than other wines. Perhaps it’s because they don’t have the extra sugar? Don’t know for sure. I especially enjoyed the sparkling white. I like sparkle and bubbles!
But I should add another confession: I added some sweetener to the sparkling white because I prefer wine-coolerish drinks to actual wine. Sue me, purists! I am who I am, man.
Anywho…if you are at a place in your plan where you indulge in adult beverages, something like this may be of interest. So check out Scout & Celler here (Jamie’s link).
That’s it for now. But I’ve got a whole bunch of Keto cookbooks from authors you’ll recognize that’s on my list to talk about soon, so stay tuned. I’m looking forward to it!
Happy Low Carbing, friends!
~Dix
