Hi all!

Have any of you tried the Blue Diamond Unsweetened Vanilla Almond Breeze? I'm just wondering who has and what you count it as. Maybe 1Condiment or 1D? Here are the nutritional values:

Serving size - 8oz

Calories 40
Fat 3g
Sat Fat 0
Transfat 0
Cholesterol 0
Sodium 180mg
Potassium 190mg
Total Carbs 2g
Dietary Fiber 1g
Sugars 0g
Protein 1g

Haven't tried it and I wasn't even sure what it was or what you did with it so I did more research; I may have to try it in my coffee (no idea how to count it if you drink all 8 oz in one sitting).

I've been using it with my flax cereal in the morning. Counting it as my dairy. What do you think Joni? I mean about counting it as my dairy? I'm only using 4 ounces of it though....so, that would be 20 calories.

I'm not really sure - The first two ingredients on the package are purified water and almonds and it's got 3g of fat; maybe count it as a fat?? I'm guessing here. I think you are cheating yourself if you count it as a dairy. I'm not that great at figuring this stuff out.

Hmmm, maybe Cassi can jump in here and offer to ask the LA nutritionist? Cassi.....where are you?

Done! Should have an answer tomorrow, but maybe Monday.

I heard somewhere that if you just use 4 oz. of milk on your cereal that you could count it as a condiment and not your full dairy. I am not a milk drinker but I use the 8th continent lite vanilla soy milk. I use in in cereal, smoothies and lattes. I can't drink it by itself. I agree with Joni, I think you are cheating yourself out of your dairy and some much needed calcium. If I use 4 oz. I usually count it as 1/2 dairy and then have something later in the day.

Thanks Cassi, Joni and Deb!! Have a great day!

I also use the 8th Continent Light Vanilla Soymilk in my cereal. I use a half a cup or 4 oz and I count it as 1/2 dairy because is does have a lot of calcium and vitamin D. 4 oz is only 30 calories so I will have a 60 calorie Dannon Light and Fit or a light string cheese to count as my other 1/2 dairy. I remember hearing from someone that you should'nt mix different types of dairy but if they have similar calorie counts, why not?

Holly - You're shorting yourself! Here's what the dietician said:

Thank you for submitting your question to our Nutrition Department.

You can have 8 ounces of the vanilla Almond Breeze unsweetened milk as
1/2 Dairy exchange. Let us know if you have further questions.

We will forward a copy of this email message to your center so that they
may further assist you with your program.

We wish you continued success with your LA Weight Loss Program.

Sincerely,

The LA Weight Loss Nutrition Department

Thank you so much for the information Cassi! Love ya! Have a great Friday!

The 8th Continent Vanilla Soymilk has 60 Cal per 8 oz or 1 cup. That is 20 calories more than the Vanilla Almond Breeze. Do you still think it is ok to count a full cup of the 8th Continent Soymilk as 1/2 dairy or would it be prudent to count 3/4 cup of the 8th Continent as 1/2 dairy since it has more calories than the Vanilla Almond Breeze? I think I am going to count 3/4 cup as a 1/2 dairy. Thanks for looking into this Cassie!

According to my purple book, Milk: Soy ... 8oz = 1D.

Calories don't mean everything on the plan. You can have 1 slice of 40cal bread for a starch, or 2oz bagel, which is 110 calories, but you can't have 2 slices of 40 cal. bread for a starch. Weird, but that's they way the program is.

I see your point about the calories, but just be aware of how they do things when you write in your diary.