Product Review: Feel Good Foods Gluten Free Vegetable Fried Brown Rice

Product: Feel Good Foods Gluten Free Vegetable Fried Brown Rice – $6.99+

Once again, I have Raisin Rack in Columbus, Ohio, to thank for introducing me to some amazing gluten-free goodness.  It was on one of my numerous trips to Columbus to visit my friend Jenn that we made our (now) official stop in at the natural food store.  The budget was small this time thanks to holiday (and doctor) bills, but I was able to stock up on a few things of interest.

One of said items was from Feel Good Foods, makers of gluten free eggrolls and dumplings.  Apparently, they now make actual microwaveable meals.  I didn’t know this, and I keep really up-to-date on the new products out there, especially from companies and brands that I love.  I spotted the one vegetarian option (the fried rice mentioned above) and picked out the General Tso’s Chicken for my roommate…and it was game on.  Purchased.  It made the budget cut for sure.

Feel Good Foods has the slogan: Don’t worry. Eat happy.  And, with the promise of having no added MSG, no preservatives, and no artificial flavors, I was already feeling good about my purchase.  Creators, Tryg and Vanessa met at a restaurant where he was the chef and she was working.  When he discovered that she couldn’t have the staff-created meals, he began creating gluten-free versions of the dish.  They created Feel Good Foods gluten-free frozen foods after they opened a gluten-free restaurant and were told that they needed to put their food out on the market.  Their foods are non-GMO, all-natural and completely gluten-free.  You see…Vanessa is a Celiac…so they take food allergies really seriously.

Well, these meals were in our freezer for a few weeks, because I figured they would be a perfect “need a quick dinner” meal for busy nights…something we’ve finally been having more of these days.  Because…running.  Well, Tuesday nights are my hill repeat nights, and this happens in Louisville…at 6 pm.  So, after working until 4:30, I literally have time to come home, throw on some running clothes, warm something up, down it, and get over the river to the event.  The past couple of weeks, due to weather, I’ve hit the treadmill due to cancellations and/or…me not wanting to be out in the elements.  But…yesterday…despite some apprehension (got some niggling pain in the hips), I decided I was going to go and at least attempt to tackle the hills.

So, this meant the frozen meals have to come out.  And so…without any further adieu…out came the Feel Good Foods Gluten Free Vegetable Fried Brown Rice (and my roommate’s General Tso’s Chicken, too!) for a quick heat and eat.

The Feel Good Foods Vegetable Fried Brown Rice is super easy to prepare.  Simply open the box and remove the little bowl.  Cut a 1-inch slit into the plastic overwrap.  Place in the microwave and cook on high for about 3-4 minutes.  Let it sit for one (1) minute.  Then remove the overwrap, stir, and devour.  Simple…

…and delicious.  In fact, it turns out that this particular fried rice dish is one of Chef Tryg’s favorites.  Feel Good Foods Vegetable Fried Brown Rice highlights the amazing flavors of the leeks and ginger.  Also…I love that brown rice is used instead of rice, not just for flavor, but health reasons too.  Let’s face it, brown rice is better.  Any…freakin’…day!  As for this meal, in general…it definitely is a frozen dinner, but leaps and bounds above your average frozen meal.  Made with real ingredients and seasoned to perfection.  I didn’t have to add a thing to this (not even Yum Yum Sauce).  And I devoured it.  I think my favorite thing that was in there were the waterchesnuts.  Nice texture.  The entire meal had a variety of flavors and textures going.  The vegetables were steamed to perfection, the brown rice wasn’t dry…and, as I said, seasoning was spot on.  Plus, this was a nice way to fuel up before taking on 6 miles of hills.  It was gone in record time.

So, let’s discuss what goes into the Feel Good Foods Vegetable Fried Brown Rice, shall we.  This meal is made from brown rice (water, rice, expeller-pressed canola oil), leeks, carrots, green peas, gluten-free soy sauce (water, soybeans, salt), expeller-pressed canola oil, ginger, eggs (whole eggs, citric acid, water), waterchesnuts, garlic, scallions, sesame oil, salt, and spices.

As far as nutrition goes, I was impressed with the nutritional facts that came with the Feel Good Foods Gluten Free Vegetable Fried Brown Rice.  A serving size is 1 package (255 grams), and there is one (1) serving per container.  One serving will provide you with 350 calories, 18 grams fat, 2 grams saturated fat, 0 grams trans fat, 45 mg cholesterol, 490 mg sodium, 40 grams carbohydrates, 5 grams fiber, 5 grams sugars, and 7 grams protein.  It is gluten-free, vegetarian, and made using minimally processed, non-artificial ingredients.

Thanks to Tryg and Vanessa, someone like me, who usually has to bypass the Chinese Food, can start to enjoy it again.  While I am not big on consuming frozen dishes, these sure did come in handy for a busy weeknight.  Quick and easy to prepare…and just as quick and easy to eat.  You’ll love the flavor.  For the record, my roommate truly enjoyed her General Tso’s Chicken, saying it wasn’t too spicy or anything.  So…there is that.

I know Whole Foods carries Feel Good Foods products…so next time I’m there, I might have to contemplate picking up another box of this…for another busy night in my future.  I encourage you to do the same.