Lightlife Smart Wings (Honey BBQ) Veggie Protein Wings Review

I thought that perhaps one of the reasons I didn't like the LightLife Buffalo Smart Wings (Review) was because I prepared it in the microwave as opposed to the preferred method of pan-searing it. This time, I wasn't going to make that same mistake. I got my pan out, and followed the directions for that method of preperation for the (meatless) Lightlife Honey BBQ Smart Wings. Unfortunately, I know now that making it that way does NOT improve the taste any.

NUTRITION FACTS
Serving Size: 4 wings (85 grams)
Calories: 120
Total Fat: 0%
Saturated Fat: 0%
Sodium: 430 mg, 18%
Carbohydrates: 16 grams
Fiber: 4 grams, 16%
Sugar: 9 grams
Protein: 13 grams

I said it before, and I'll say it again - it really is an insult to "wings" to have that in the title of this product, and it does the product a disservice to have people thinking that this might be similar to wings. It's not ... not even a little bit. It only slightly resembles a wing drumette - and it doesn't have the same texture or taste. The texture is like veggie protein, compact & dry without the sauce. It's not juicy and not even the honey barbecue sauce is the best thing about the product - sweet and slightly tangy, but it wasn't enough to make me like it.

The nutrition facts are pretty good though. Each serving of 4 Lightlife Honey BBQ Smart Wings provides 120 calories, no fat, 430 mg sodium (18% of the daily value), 4 grams of fiber (16% of the DV), 9 grams of sugars and 13 grams of protein.

The ingredients list starts with water, soy protein concentrate, wheat gluten, soy protein isolate and egg white powder. A package with 8 Lightlife Honey BBQ Smart Wings (2 servings), cost $3.99 at my local grocery store - but I received samples of this to consider for review.

Although there are some good reviews of LightLife products, this is not one that I enjoyed. But Lisa at HealthNutxo loved them - so let's hear from you - have you tried these before? What did you think?

{Website: Lightlife}

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Lightlife Smart Cutlets (Original) Review

I received a few samples of Lightlife Smart Cutlets (which are vegetarian - faux meat if you will), for review, and they have been making it easier to have Meatless Mondays for the family. I've already reviewed the LightLife Spicy Sweet & Sour Smart Cutlets was pretty decent, so let me tell you about the Original Lightlife Smart Cutlets.

NUTRITION FACTS
Serving Size: 1 cutlet (85 grams)
Calories: 110
Total Fat: 0.5 gram, 1%
Saturated Fat: 0%
Sodium: 360 mg, 15%
Carbohydrates: 8 grams
Fiber: 3 grams, 12%
Sugars: < 1 gram
Protein: 17 grams

I followed the directions for doing it on the stove-top, but then got impatient and finished it up in the microwave - I was really hungry! First, I tried it as it - without any condiment enhancement. The texture was thick and ... meaty ... but without the meaty taste. In fact, the taste is sort of wheaty/ soy-ish - not really something I would eat by itself. I made a sandwich with it however, and doused in ketchup and Annie's Naturals Organic Honey Mustard - it was delicious. A pretty good way to get 17 grams of protein with very little fat.

Each of the Lightlife Smart Cutlets (Original) (85 grams) provides 110 calories, 0.5 grams of total fat, 360 mg of sodium (15% of the daily value), 3 grams of fiber (12% of the DV), 17 grams of protein and less than 1 gram of sugars. The ingredients are, water, textured soy protein concentrate, wheat gluten, wheat starch, egg white powder, less than 2% of: yeast extract, cellulose gum, tapioca starch, potato starch, sea salt, natural flavor, salt, canola oil, sunflower oil.

A box with 2 cutlets costs $3.99 at my local grocery store, and I would buy this in the future - not to eat by itself - it definitely needs some seasoning, spices or condiments to enhance the flavor.

{Website: Lightlife}

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LightLife Smart Wings (Buffalo) Veggie Protein Wings Review

LightLife Buffalo Smart Wings is described on the packaging as veggie protein wings, i.e. a vegetarian option to Buffalo chicken wings. The description on their website reads, "It's about to get a little spicy in here, folks. Our juicy wings are bringing all kinds of sassy sauce to the table, whether it's a party or a plain old Tuesday. So pick up a box and start wingin' it!" Please note the words in bold, we'll come back to them later.

NUTRITION FACTS
Serving Size: 4 wings (85 grams)
Calories: 110
Total Fat: 3 grams, 5%
Saturated Fat: 0%
Sodium: 680 mg, 28%
Carbohydrates: 6 grams
Fiber: 4 grams, 16%
Sugar: < 1 gram
Protein: 13 grams

Let me start by saying, if you love wings, as I do, LEAVE this product alone. You will not be happy. You WILL think it's an insult to have the term "wings" in the product name. And "Smart Wings" at that. Of course, this is a vegetarian version, but some things are better left in the meat eating world, and this is a prime example. But, I might have to take some of the blame for making a lackluster product from these vegetarian wings. The directions for preparation on the box provided a "Skillet" and Microwave method. I did it in the microwave and that probably wasn't the best way - over at 125 Pounds, they had a good review of the pan-seared wings - but they did give me a choice!

Now, there are some redeeming qualities to LightLife Buffalo Smart Wings ... or rather, there is one redeeming quality ... the "buffalo" sauce isn't terrible. I wouldn't go so far as to call it "spicy" either, but it was flavorful. And while these veggie wings didn't come out dry, I also wouldn't call have referred to them as "juicy". What really weirded me out was the texture of these wing-shaped, veggie protein pieces. It's better if I wasn't thinking "wings" and was thinking textured protein - then this would have tasted just about as I expected.

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A serving of 4 "wings" provides 110 calories, 3 grams of total fat (5% of the daily value), no saturated fat, 680 mg sodium (28% of the DV), 4 grams of fiber (16% of the DV), less than 1 gram of sugar and 13 grams of protein (here's the ingredients list). This is way healthier than traditional chicken wings! On it's own, I have to say this product is lackluster. But it seems like it would work if it were cut up and incorporated into a tasty pasta or rice dish.

The suggested retail price of a 6 ounce box of LightLife Buffalo Smart Wings with 2 servings is $4.79. I received samples of this product to review, and I hate that I have to give it a bad write-up, but thankfully, I know LightLife makes some great vegetarian products, like Lightlife Smart Deli Pepperoni, Lightlife Smart Bacon and Lightlife Smart Deli Bologna Style Veggie Protein Slices.
Have you ever tried vegetarian wings?

{Website: Lightlife}

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