As a registered dietitian, I get samples of new food products all the time. Many are tasty, but not always the healthiest and others can be nutritious but not tasty. And, you all should know by now that I am all about deliciousness! That’s why I’m so excited to share with you a product line that delivers on both taste and good nutrition— Applegate Well Carved™ [1]Organic® Meatballs [1].
Applegate is already known for its natural and organic meat products that are from animals Applegate humanely raised without antibiotics and added hormones. However, its Well Carved™ line that I’m obsessing over pairs Applegate humanely raised meat with organic vegetables, legumes, and grains to create blended products that will satisfy those who love the taste and texture of meat but are also mindful of their meat intake. I tried the Asian Style [2] and Mediterranean Style [3] meatballs, and can I just say YUMMY! As a dietitian, these check all of my boxes: better for you, more planet-friendly, delicious, and easy to prepare.
Most Americans do not eat the recommended number of daily vegetable servings of 2 ½ cups daily, and blended meat and veggie products are a step in the right direction to help Americans hit that goal. Applegate was able to find the ideal blend of meat to veggies, legumes, and grains to create two flavorful meatballs that deliver a ¼ cup of vegetables per serving, while also staying true to that meat forward flavor. The veggies make them super juicy too. That’s a win-win in my house as my two teenage daughters LOVE them!
Another nutritional benefit to Well Carved™ products, is that they have fewer calories, total fat, and saturated fat compared to their conventional counterparts.
If you have concerns about ingredients or food sensitivities, I’m happy to share that these are USDA Organic, non-GMO, and gluten-free. There’s nothing artificial and all the ingredients used could be found in your kitchen. Literally, you could make these in your own kitchen… Applegate is just giving you the option of convenience and reduced prep time.
Here’s more information on the two Applegate Well Carved™ Organics® meatball varieties I tried.
Applegate Well Carved™ Organic® Asian Style Meatballs [2]
Ingredients: Organic pork mixed with organic brown rice, green onion, carrot, parsley, ginger, garlic, spinach, sea salt, rice starch, lemongrass, and black pepper.
Nutrition Info: 220 calories, 16g fat, 5 g saturated fat
Applegate Well Carved™ Organic® Mediterranean Style Meatballs [3]
Ingredients: Organic turkey mixed with organic yellow lentils, feta cheese, spinach, sea salt, rice starch, dill, garlic, black pepper, and olive oil
Nutrition Info: 140 calories, 7 g fat, 1.5g saturated fat
How I prepared Well Carved™ products
These are fully cooked and just need to be re-heated before eating. I followed the package instructions and reheated them on the stove top in a pan lightly coated in olive oil.
Where to buy Well Carved™ products
Look for Applegate ®Well Carved™ Organics products in select retailers or online at Fresh Direct and Instacart. I’m also happy to share with you a downloadable coupon for Well Carved™ products here [1]. In addition, check out these yummy meatball recipes [4]!
Fun Foodie Facts…
- 94% of the US population eats meat
- 84% of vegetarians and vegans go back to eating meat
- 52% of the US population identifies as an omnivore
- 6% of the US population identifies as vegetarian
Disclosure: I am a brand ambassador for Applegate. Opinions are my own.
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