I got a big box of new low carb foods to try from Netrition the other day, so I decided to start with the Sensato High Fiber Hot Cereal – which is like a low carb style oatmeal.
I chose the Vanilla Almond flavor to review.
The reason I thought this would be a fun low carb product to review is because we all LOVE the Low Carb Nut & Flax Granola by the same company.
That amazingly delicious low carb granola is still out of stock at the moment, by the way – which is totally our fault, lol.
I’m not going to make you wait:
I do NOT like the hot cereal.
I do not like it here or there. I do not like it anywhere. I do not like it in a house, I do not like it with a mouse… 😛
I’ll show you how I tried it, two different ways, and tell you what I didn’t like about it. Here’s the short version:
It has an interesting texture. I’m not quite sure how to describe it – sort of gritty? It also has sucralose in it so there’s a strong aftertaste to it, but there’s also a bitter taste to it too – which was weird.
The texture I could handle, the taste – not so much.
Mistake(s) #1
I mistakenly assumed this would be like traditional oatmeal packets, where I would have used two to make a decent serving. So I doubled the 1/2 cup serving of Sensato Hot Cereal for my first bowl. That made… A LOT, lol.
I thought it would be pretty bland, or expected it to be, so I was planning to drizzle my Nature’s Hollow Sugar Free Honey over it, along with adding nuts & berries.
I’m glad I tasted it first because it’s already very sweet. The honey would have ruined it, lol. The honey is GREAT, by the way!
My first bowl of this “low carb oatmeal” turned out a bit thick. I may not have added enough water. Anyway, this gives you an idea of the texture:
Of course I prettied it up with strawberries & crushed pecans:
I tried to eat it. 🙂
I decided to test something else to make it more edible…
Next I only made a single serving of the hot cereal (duh, lol) and added 1/3 cup of Unsweetened Coconut Milk / Cream. That stuff is good! It’s thicker than I expected, but tasty! 🙂
I also added 1/4 cup crushed pecans, 4 small diced strawberries and 35 grams of blueberries – plus the 1/3 cup of coconut cream. I figured (hoped) the coconut milk/cream would really cut the taste/aftertaste of the cereal.
Here’s how it looked:
It looked better.
It even tasted better.
But it still had that sucralose aftertaste, and the bitter bite to it. ACK!
I had a hard time finishing it. This is me, looking at it about halfway through, thinking “I logged it already, just eat it.” 🙄
I did eat it. But I won’t eat it again. 😛 Blech!
With the coconut cream, pecans & berries – it came to 8 net carbs and 80% fat. It took me HOURS to get the taste out of my mouth. I can’t even count the number of times I’ve brushed my teeth today. I still shudder at the thought of it in my mouth.
So there you have it. 🙂
I feel like I gave this product a serious effort, but yeah: NO.
Give me the granola, but you can keep the cereal!
I was going to make the Miracle Rice tonight in a broccoli casserole, but I cannot bring myself to eat anything else new today (lol) so I’m off to make some PLAIN EGGS and shake this off.:)
Stay tuned to see what I try next! 😉 lol… *cheers*
Best,
Lynn Terry,
aka @LowCarbTraveler
Discount Code: LOWCARBTRAVELER
Kay says
Thanks so much for your honest opinion. If you do not like it, I probably won’t either!!
Lynn Terry says
Yeah, no – not at all, lol. And you’re welcome. I promise not to steer you wrong!
On the plus side, I drank 48 ounces of water trying to finish that bowl… π haha
Barbara C. says
I did not like it either!
Lynn Terry says
I’m glad it’s not just me, Barbara. π Someone on Instagram said the strawberry flavor tasted like chemicals – like strawberry body wash or something. π Yuck! We can mark this one off our list at least…
Julie says
Hi Lynn. Well , I won’t be trying that! Lol. I am anxious for you ( not me lol ) to try that rice. I am a little scared of it too. I did eat the fatty stick. It was great! Had to give my hubby half to cut the carbs and he was drooling watching me eat it. Lol
Lynn Terry says
lol @ the Miracle Rice – everyone is wary of it. π haha! I don’t even know what to DO with rice anymore. I think the last time I had rice was in sushi…
The broccoli cheese casserole seems like a good idea. The only one I’ve been able to think up so far, anyway.
And yes, the Fatty Stick was delicious! Way too high in carbs of course. I prefer the Pineapple Roam Sticks. Those are really good (brand new flavor!) and only 1 net carbs – and also a great “product” with quality ingredients.
Diana says
Lynn, I bought this a couple of months ago and it is still in my cupboard. I agree totally it tastes terrible!!! I’m trying to figure out how to use it with something else to get rid of it. I think I will just eventually throw it out. My thrifiness makes it hard to throw anything away! LOL!!!
Lynn Terry says
Which flavor did you get, Diana? It *would* be nice to find some other way to use it – if I could past the sucralose & bitterness π lol. I think mine will end up getting tossed out too…
I hope the more I test and review things, the less we’ll waste money trying new things – and the more we’ll find things we really LOVE instead. π
Diana says
I tried the Apple Cinnamon. I even added more cinnamon and it still had that “after taste’ Thank you for trying these products for us. I’m really interested in the Miracle Rice.
Lynn Terry says
I was told the Apple Cinnamon gets the most complaints in terms of flavor – which is why I went with the Vanilla Almond. I haven’t heard good reviews on any of them though.
Like I said, I’m thinking of doing the rice in a broccoli casserole – with cheese and coconut milk I think. And maybe use the “pork clouds” as a crumble for the top of it.
Those are here: Baconβs Heir Pork Clouds, Rosemary & Sea Salt I haven’t tried them yet, but I’m going to see if they’d make a nice topping for my casserole. π
Roylene says
Hi Lynn, It does not get more honest than your opinion. It was hard for me to look at your half empty bowl. I may go brush my teeth too. Thanks for sharing.
Lynn Terry says
LOL, I still have that unnerving desire to wash my mouth out every time I think about it. π Blech! haha – Ugh, that was a tough one!!
Roye says
Thanks for the review Lynn, good to know because I think a lot of us miss our cereal. Thanks to your recipe, we have a good substitute.
And sorry to keep repeating myself but I feel very strongly against the products using Xylitol, the SF Honey is made with it. I know you don’t give leftovers to your dogs. I have two beautiful Boxers, they’re up in age too but I do give them leftovers and they certainly could accidentally get this in our food and it’s poisonous to dogs!! I just like letting everyone be aware of the dangers of using it.
About the Miracle Rice, do a search on Amazon and read the reviews, they are interesting. It supossedly has a bad aroma and needs to be rinced and rinced and then dried in a pan and then it doesn’t really resemble rice LOL.
Lynn Terry says
Ugh, I’m nervous about the Miracle Rice, lol. π
I appreciate your warning about certain ingredients for dogs or pets. I have to be very cautious with my great dane and his diet, so he only gets his food – plus the occasional vegetables (only) like carrots, broccoli, and spinach is his favorite. The spinach makes his coat SO shiny. π
I love the sugar free honey for myself though. π Yesterday was the first time I’ve tried it, and just a dab on my finger, but I think I’ll make some honey biscuits today with it! π
Holly says
Curious about the coconut cream. Does it taste like coconut?
Lynn Terry says
Hi Holly,
I didn’t taste a coconut flavor, but I haven’t tried it by itself. But then I don’t get a strong coconut flavor from coconut oil either – and some people say they do. I’ll try it by itself better – and try it in my coffee too – to see…
Carol says
Thank you for the heads up on the oatmeal!! I just joined the group and iam really excited!!!
Lynn Terry says
Welcome, Carol π I’m glad you joined us!! And you’re welcome – ack π – I wouldn’t recommend that to ANYone. Not even my worst enemy, lol. π
Nova Taylor says
Omg!!! This looks amazing and tasty. I would love to try this at home as I m a huge fan of hot cereal.
Thank you so much for this yummy recipeβ¦
Keep Sharing::)
Teresa says
I just bought the strawberry flavor. Even though you reviewed Iβm willing to try it. I just need to know how to actually make it. It doesnβt come with instructions. Can you help me with that? Also I will let you know what happens with mine.