Hello readers, it has been SOME time hasn’t it! I’ve been battling some dodgy wifi connection here at home recently and even on my holiday too. So a little backed up with blog posts. (Missing the high speed city internet so badly)
I’ve partnered up with the team at Exante for this post on their range of diet foods.
I am excited to share my review for Exante Diet, who specialise in specific meals to help with your health. Healthy eating, cutting down those nasty sugars, weight management and meals, rich in proteins and vitamins/minerals.
The products include, diet soups, bars, shakes and full meals. And for those specific dietary requirements, you are able to select the best option for yourself.
How many of you have tried to stick to a diet plan and failed? Two weeks in and you get bored of the food and go back to old habits? Does that sounds familiar? Well Exante Diet sets itself aside from other diet brands, so you’ll be sure to find a diet plan to keep you happy, healthy and more importantly interested.
There are meal plans for weekly periods if you are after something quick. But also, long term specific weight loss plans you can follow and document with ease. Exante can give you a diet plan which will help control you weight loss, this in turn will allow you to ditch those sinful crisps. (Yes Tyrells crisps too!!)
They really make it easy for you, all you have to do is choose what suits your lifestyle and it is all sent very quickly through their courier service. The range is immense, so you wont be struggling with eating the same meals every day. In fact you’ll find it hard to probably eat the same meal twice in two weeks.
My plan was/is to bulk, and I wrote about getting into a more toned shape back in January for the summer [LINK]. For me personally, I know it’ll give me more confidence. Since my body type is tall and lanky. I’ve always felt though my eyes I was too slim and that has given me body issues for a number of years. Especially since I do eat a great deal of food. I’ve always felt like the baby of the group because well, I am. I was the last to hit puberty, so bulking up and feeling good inside and out, will get me thinking I’m not that small, lanky kid who was miserable at school any more. Thankfully I’m off to a good start and I can see some changes with muscle mass on my body. I know working with Exante will continue to show progression on my body and get me to my goal.
Pictured: Protein Pancakes. Just add fresh fruit and you are on your way for a healthy breakfast.
Like I’ve stated previously, I was after some bulking meals/snacks for when my time is busy. Ideally for work is where I spend most of my week, but also before and after a shift too. I spoke to the team who asked what I was after, I replied “PROTEIN!” and that I wanted to bulk up. They picked out everything protein related for me so I had it available for every snack/meal time. This was so helpful for those times I wasn’t able to prepare myself a protein infused meal for work.
I’m currently in an independent coffee shop nowadays saving to move back to the city. Showcasing my Barista/Maestro skills to the public once again. After my experience in London making coffees at a machine rate I know i’m good at what I do and as their strongest coffee maker, I’m usually flat out and in need of a meal that gives me a good daily boost, to keep my going throughout the day. There is only so much coffee you can drink to fuel yourself right, I needed something more!
So, I was sent a parcel with some bulking meals, rich with protein to help me with my higher protein intake and to fuel me for longer. I was also sent a variety of snacks too, for a quick something to consume whilst we have a busy shift on.
I have been practising my ‘flatlay’ skills trying to keep it aesthetically pleasing for my blog. So here are my contents from my parcel.
After going through it all, I seemed to have a little bit of everything to try. But my main importance was protein rich pieces. It was like opening a clothing order from ASOS, I usually go mad and lay out everything I have been sent. I love those treat yourself days.
The first thing I noticed was the design packaging. And being a lover of all things minimal, it caught my attention straight away. I loved that the meals as a whole, look just as you would buy them in a high end supermarket. Since I shop at Waitrose myself, I know their style of products well and I could easily see these fitting in their stores. I just adore a store that values the excellence of neatness, food and service. This is how I can see Exante fitting in perfectly with a high end supermarket.
It is refreshing to see that they do not scream the word ‘diet’ constantly and the branding graphics are very smartly done. I’m referring to some packaging in the shops really letting you know that they are special dietary meals. ‘Fat free’, ‘additives free’, ‘food free’ always sprawled across the label. At times it seems a tad excessive. Exante Diet seems to focus with a modern, clean and minimal approach. This lets me as the consumer really appreciate the overall product.
These were among the bigger meals I was sent. I’ve always been one to love good food. Give me full fat, rich meals that leave the taste buds dancing. This is probably because I cook myself and love creating meals from scratch. The next best thing are good hearty meals already prepared for you.
I’ve personally never at this point, really tried more specific dietary required meals. But since I’m trying to bulk up I was looking forward to seeing what was being offered. I’m always up for trying new things and open to give something ago.
I was a little hesitant to consume these protein rich meals if I’m honest. The other types of protein bulking items I have tried, haven’t exactly been tasteful. It’s like protein shakes, I’ll be the one to say it, they are gross. But, you got to keep on those if you’re naturally built like a broomstick. Maybe I was that in a previous life, a broom?
So here we have the Chicken Jalfrezi & Cottage Pie. I must say, I was surprised how nice they are. Really taken away actually. All the flavour is there, even with the added protein and weight management factor. To be honest, if I had someone give me an Exante Cottage pie and one bought from Waitrose, I wouldn’t be able to tell the difference. It was really delicious, I couldn’t fault it.
One of my favourites, lasagne. I love lasagne. Just adore it.
After opening my parcel of goodies and seeing one, I thought I’ll save it for a busier day. Something I could look forward to eating after work.
Thankfully the other day was really busy at work and we as a team found it difficult to take a proper break and sit down. Soon as I got home I popped the lasagne in the oven and unwound from work, a little too much really! I got so distracted with things I needed to catch up on, my blog and social media accounts, that the meal above had been cooking for longer than it should have been. So that one is on me! (I’m only human) However, the meal was still delicious and hit the spot too, I was left feeling full and content. Just wish I had another.
I also wanted to show a more realistic approach to my daily life too, especially with this post. Days off from work where I can take my time with presentation and the photography behind it are lovely. If I’m able to make it extra nice and look neat, that is a bonus. And my blog thrives from it.
But recently I’ve been tired. Very tired really. After work, the past couple weeks feeling it as soon as I sit down, I’d end up drifting off to sleep. Maybe its just my age? I didn’t get a chance to post I turned 25 in May, I kept that quiet (thanks dodgy countryside wifi). Next year I’ll be 25 for the second time and so on, I’ve been told that is how ageing works right?!?!
Anyway, back to coming home yesterday. My goal was to get some food and sit down. After running around making endless coffees all day, I was just after 15 minutes to eat something and unwind.
So this is as real as my afternoon looked. It might not be to everyone’s taste in terms of style or appeal, might not look aesthetically pleasing for a blog. But for me, it was the nicest part of my day. I got home, threw on my trackies, put the meal in the oven and just enjoyed those 15 minutes to myself before the after work work begins.
It was actual bliss!
This is typically how I am at home when I come back from work. When you are tired, realistically, you come home get into some lounge wear and make a meal as quickly and easy as you can. That is what I wanted to show in this post, in terms of it being what I realistically would do after work. This is me.
The other snacks I was sent were great for ‘pick me ups’ throughout the days. Something to nibble on with a busy day of work ahead of you. They really hit the spot on several occasions. Have a look.
So here we have my three favourites. The Protein Wafer, which gives me the extra boost of protein I needed. Sometimes it is hard to fit in a steak as a mid morning break snack for work. Least I got that protein boost I was after! (I’ve linked the strawberry wafer in the link above, sadly the chocolate one is currently unavailable, but should be back online soon.)
Next the Chocolate Cookie which is full of chocolate flavour. Whilst keeping the high fibre, protein and mineral content. It also means if you are eating a specific calorie amount a day, you can treat yourself without feeling guilty. Goodbye sins.
Lastly the sweet Stawberry Jam & Yogurt Crunch Bar. Any sweet cravings can be salvaged with this little bar. Perfect again for morning breaks or those commutes to work. You are able to keep those calories in check whilst satisfying those little sweet tooth cravings. Also if you are human like me, woke up late that one time (because you stayed up watching Desperate Housewives on box set) and skipped breakfast, the crunch bar is the perfect piece to consume whilst you are walking to work.
Mornings too are a breeze with a quick and easy breakfast below. This is granted you didn’t stay late to watch Desperate Housewives! I have a problem ok.
Omg I think I’m susan.
You’ll find the Protein Porridge a healthy, easy alternative which will keep you going until your morning break or even lunch. Squeezing in these extra protein meals and snacks is so great with Exante Diet products. I’m left knowing, that I’ve manage to keep up the high protein my body needs to bulk.
Exante Diet really do make it easy for you and I know they have helped with my protein bulking diet I’m working on.
For any readers who are after protein meals that actually taste good, whilst working their magic on your body, check out Exante Diet’s website:
You’ll be happy you found out about them. Just think you wont have to eat, chicken, brown rice and broccoli for every meal.
Lastly I want to mention that the team at Exante are excellent. I’ve got nothing but nice things to say about them who helped me with my products in the post. I was after extra protein and meals that would boost that and they hand picked out the best options for me. Their customer service is admirable.
I have linked the products posted in this read to those on the website, so if you are after the exact ones, one click and you are there with ease.
Let me know if you check out Exante in the comments below or on my twitter feed.
Thank you for reading and good luck if you are trying to diet safely or bulk responsibly.
