Photo: Courtesy of Courtesy of Trader Joe’s © 2022; Getty Images / Creativ Studio Heinemann
Fromgnocchiandfried “rice"to cheddar bay biscuits and evensmoothies, we’re fond of finding new ways to sneak cauliflower rice into recipes for a vitamin and fiber boost. (Not to mention the gluten-free possibilities, if wheat doesn’t agree with you.)
What Are Cauliflower Slims?
The ingredient lists and nutrition facts are quite similar to those forOuter Aisle’s Cauliflower Sandwich Thins. Outer Aisle’s thins have become so popular in the age of all things low-carb and vegetable-boosted that they now come in four flavors: original, Italian, everything and jalapeño. TJ’s version has been available since May 2020.
Each package of the refrigerated Trader Joe’s Cauliflower Slims contains two “buns,” which means four pieces total. Each two-thin serving delivers:
The Cauliflower Slims ingredients include cauliflower, eggs, Parmesan, skim milk, cheese cultures, salt and yeast, and the package touts that the recipe is made with over 60% cauliflower.
For comparison, awhole-wheat sandwich thin from Brownberry, a flour-based competitor, has:
In addition, the USDA estimates the averagewhite hamburger bunoffers:
Are Cauliflower Slims Healthy?
The answer depends on what you define as “healthy,” explainsJessica Ball, M.S., RD, EatingWell’s associate nutrition digital editor.
“Cauliflower Slims are made with fresh cauliflower as the first ingredient, so they might help youboost your vegetable intakeif that’s your goal. They’re also slightly higher in protein from ingredients like eggs and Parmesan, which might help you feel more full,” Ball says. “That said, traditional flour-based buns can be part of a healthy diet and include many nutrients as well, especially if you choose whole wheat.”
These Cauliflower Slims could be a good option for someone who has an intolerance or allergy to gluten, or for someone aiming to eat a more low-carb diet, Ball says. The replacements for the flour (those aforementioned eggs and Parm), however, mean these are not suitable for a vegan diet. And for the equivalent of two hamburger buns, they’re not cheap.
“As a person who is on a budget and doesn’t avoid gluten, I don’t think I would ever buy these. They use several whole-food ingredients and could help you increase your vegetable and protein intake, but it seems unlikely that they would taste similar to a traditional hamburger bun. Personally, I would prefer to choose a whole-grain bun and enjoy my cauliflower as a delicious side instead of as a replacement for a bun,” Ball says. But if you enjoy the flavor, have a flexible grocery budget and are seeking an easy way to eat more veggies, go for it.
The Bottom Line
As long as you don’t have any food allergies or intolerances, Trader Joe’s Cauliflower Slims and regular bread can both be part of a well-balanced diet. If you do choose to invest in Cauliflower Slims, Ball suggests pairing them with a source of protein (egg, turkey, salmon, tuna or cheese), vegetables (for a boost of nutrition and fiber) and a healthy fat (such as olive oil, hummus or avocado) to make it a balanced meal or snack.
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