Monday, June 18, 2007

Activia - Because You Deserve Bifidus Regularis™?

So yeah, Bifidus Regularis™, the “marketing name” for that which is scientifically known as Bifidobacterium animalis DN-173 010.  Considering it has “regularis” in its marketing name, you can be sure just what market they’re going after.  And yes indeed, the stuff works.  We’re taking their “Two Week Challenge”, where they’ll refund $12 to you if you’re not happy with how they improve your slow intestinal transit.  Heh.  Let’s just agree that taking opiates gives you slow intestinal transit, if you know what I mean.  I’ve been eating Activia for about a week, and I’m impressed with how it has regulated my digestive health.  But the reason I’m here is not to tell you how Activia can make you regular, because while I’m willing to give you advice on what works to help a medically challenged digestive system (Colace, MiraLAX, black licorice laces, cherries, etc.), I’d rather tell you about things that taste good.  I’ve never been a big yogurt eater.  I like the Yoplait Whips because they taste like dessert, but whenever I’ve been eating regular yogurt, it’s because I’m dieting or I think I need something that’s good for me, not because I love it.  However, Activia vanilla yogurt tastes like a delicious dessert.  It’s sweet and kinda of mildly cheesecakey tasting.  It’s the only vanilla yogurt I’ve ever liked, because I usually get something fruity to distract me from the yogurtyness.  But this vanilla stuff is delish!  Leigh-Ann tried it first because she bought it for our digestively challenged foster kitten, Carlo.  She licked the foil lid, and a yogurt fan was born.  Then she went on and on and on about how good it was.  Either I had to try it…or I had to smack her.  So, I tried it.  Fabulous!  I’ve also tried blueberry, which is tasty, but not quite as simple and delicious, but nonetheless, still very good.  I read on someone’s blog months ago that he really liked the prune flavor, even though he wasn’t a big prune fan.  I think I’ll try that one next.  We may have to ask my parents to buy some Activia at Costco for us, as this is starting to become a regular (heh heh heh) snack and/or breakfast item for us, so we should get it in bulk.  It started being marketed first in Europe, so it comes in some interesting flavors that probably wouldn’t sell too well here, like rhubarb.  I’ve only seen strawberry, blueberry, vanilla, and prune at our local Smith’s, but I’d be interested to see what other flavors might be available at other US stores.  The possibilities are strawberry, peach, pear, coconut, vanilla, blueberry, prune, fig, pineapple, and rhubarb, but I’m not sure which are only available in Europe or S. America.  I’d like to try peach and pineapple, and what the heck, prune.  I’d also like to find out if the light version tastes as good as regular, because it’s a significant savings in calories (110 for regular & 70 for light), with added fiber in the light version.  0g in regular, and 3g in light, which is interesting.  It’ll bring it down to being only one point on Weight Watcher’s for the light version.  I’ll definitely have to get light vanilla the next time we go shopping.

Update: we bought the “light” vanilla yesterday, and I have to say, I think the extra calories are worth it for the regular.  The light version isn’t as creamy or as smooth tasting as the regular, and it has a very slight artificial aftertaste.  I tried one plain last night when we got them home from the store, and then I had one today with a spoonful of boysenberry preserves in it.  That improved it a lot, but then, you’re calorically right back to where you started.  I think from now on, I’ll stick to regular, instead of light.

Mmmm, mmmm, goooooood.

 

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1. I’m taking your word on this one and deciding to try it.  I’d read something recently about probiotics and figured it would be a good thing to try.  I like the vanilla too.  I got the light version.  I think maybe it would be great for Lori and some of her recent issues.  I’m going to start her on it when I return from my retreat.  She’ll like the peach.  Unfortunately, it isn’t available in light in the local grocery.

   Thanks for the info.

   Kate  on  06/19  at  09:35 PM

2. I updated the blog entry after we had some of the “light” vanilla.  I wasn’t as impressed with it.  It didn’t taste like mmmmm dessert.  It tasted like whatever yogurt.   I think I’ll try peach next.  I already approve of vanilla & blueberry…and vanilla “light” w/ boysenberry preserves.  Mmm, I love boysenberry preserves.  It’s my pb&j “j” of choice.  I hope the yogurt does the trick.  If it doesn’t, at least you get $12 back.

   Flippy  on  06/19  at  11:32 PM

3. I tried it for my IBS and it made it worse—but I’ve heard good things if you have constipation issues.

   I have to say, I *love* the DanActive Immunity yogurt drinks.  Since my daughter started drinking them she’s only had one mild cold (this after being sick off and on for months).

   What is it about cats & yogurt?  Mine goes positively bonkers when I’m eating it, so I have to share LOL I nicknamed her “Yo-‘ho”

   Angel  on  06/23  at  05:56 PM

4. I tried this stuff awhile back. I liked it alright but I never had more than one serving a day. But I also had to stop because I didn’t like eating that much sugar and it’s loaded up with sugar.

   Glad it’s working for you though! I’ve also heard that aloe vera works great. You can squirt it into your cereal or salads or make smoothies out of it. I suspect you won’t like the flavor as much as the yogurt though.

   kmeelyon nolastname  on  06/30  at  07:30 PM

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