Frozen Desserts: Wink vs. Arctic Zero

You may have seen pictures of these two ice cream substitutes floating around "fitness" Instagram accounts. I am definitely an ice cream binge-eater, and during summertime especially I can polish off a pint without much thought.

That can be a problem considering ice cream's not exactly a health food. Enter Wink Frozen Desserts and Arctic Zero Fit Frozen Desserts. Both of these brands boast lower fat content, lower sugar, and higher protein than regular ice cream. I honestly don't care about GMOs or any of the other "allergen free" stuff, although it's nice to see so many gluten free options.

I was intrigued, so I bought myself some Wink first. Due to cost of shipping, you have to buy at least four flavors at a time. (If you buy six, they ship for free.) All of Wink's flavors are gluten free so I had a lot to choose from. They arrived packed in dry ice and perfectly frozen.

My first impression was kind of a let down. The desserts are definitely not ice cream. They're closer to a granita or Italian ice...very icy and brittle. The flavors aren't as strong as traditional ice cream, and there was a definitely protein aftertaste I didn't quite like.

I tried Cake Batter with a little chocolate syrup and sprinkles, but the texture and flavor still wasn't what I look for in a dessert.

I did find that by allowing them to thaw a little (about 10 minutes) before eating, the texture and flavor improves, but that aftertaste is just a deal breaker for me. Matt doesn't notice it, though! I've always been sensitive to protein-powdery flavors.

The bottom line here: I could totally dig the texture if the flavors were stronger and the aftertaste wasn't an issue.

A fellow runner had posted about her Arctic Zero experience on Instagram, so I commented asking if they were creamy because Wink had disappointed me. The next day, Arctic Zero emailed me offering a free "care package" so I could try their desserts. Of course I said yes and requested all gluten free flavors, because unlike Wink, some of theirs include cookie and brownie pieces.

AZ arrived overnight, came adorably packaged, and included an ice cream scooper! Because they were already a bit thawed from their trip (their dry ice hadn't held up quite as well as Wink's), I dove right in to the taste test.

Allergies got my eyes looking rough...sorry about the closeup, guys. Also sorry for the "zero guilt" label...It would be cool if they'd drop that.

First of all, AZ sent five flavors and two aren't gluten free, so I was disappointed not to be able to try those. But I was very pleased with the flavors I could eat. They're definitely creamier than Wink and do not have a weird protein taste at all.

I enjoyed the Cake Batter flavor with a mug cake and it was divine.

Their flavors are again...lighter...than ice cream, but more enjoyable and cleaner tasting than Wink. Because it's best to eat them well-thawed, I found that once I scooped them into a bowl, they melted fairly quickly.

Arctic Zero also boasts a huge product list, including "chunky" pints and bars.

The verdict: Arctic Zero is a nice alternative to ice cream if you don't want to derail your healthy eating. It's not ice cream, but it's a nice sorbet-like treat. Wink is alright if you don't mind that protein-mix taste that sometimes hangs around after certain protein bars and smoothies.

One final note: You can purchase both of these brands in some stores, but they're not easy to find. I was able to find the Vanilla Maple Arctic Zero at a local Publix and bought it myself before I was offered the care package.

There's one last brand along these lines that I'd like to try called Halo Top, but I think I'll eat what's in my freezer before I test it out!

Arctic Zero sent me a care package of these flavors free of charge. I purchased the Vanilla Maple flavor and all Wink flavors on my own. All opinions are my own.

Have you tried any of these frozen desserts?
What's your favorite summertime dessert?
Are you ice cream/FROYO obsessed? 

ABK

Go Time

Sudafed might dry me out and exacerbate my dehydration, but at least I can breathe again!

Miles of paths, literally in my backyard...why have I not done this before?!

My legs definitely enjoyed all the time off, and a run through the golf course was a great change of pace. I loved the variety of terrain - paved paths, crushed shell, soft asphalt, grass - and the sprinklers. 

I was really excited to try my new Pro Compression socks, too. I usually run in Thorlos but they've been so hot lately. I was nervous to try these because, while I love the sleeves, I was worried the socks wouldn't be cushioned enough.

I'm literally going to order at least six more pairs like...this week. They're JUST cushiony enough where it counts, but my feet didn't hurt (and they've been really achy lately) and they felt snug and secure without feel hot at all.

And an added bonus? Colors!

It feels good to be back, and my eye is back on the prize. I'm feeling reignited. I'm ready to go!

ABK

Vega Sport Pre-Workout Energizer

A few weeks ago, Vega Sport offered Sweat Pink ambassadors the opportunity to review a product of choice, and I jumped at the chance*. I was at a point in my training where I knew my approach to nutrition had to change, and trying a new product was a great way to do that. Plus, the #fuelyourbetter campaign is super eclectic and can offer something to just about any level of athlete, no matter their sport!

I chose the Pre-Workout Sugar Free Energizer for my product to review. For one thing, I'm trying to cut back on sugar in general (which is really hard for me, because I have a killer sweet-tooth), and for another, as the weather heats up, my energy pre-workout has been lagging. Not to mention that as the school year drew to a close, my energy preserves were totally sapped.

I chose to review Acai Berry, and was pleased when the product came in the mail. I was expecting just a few samples, and got quite a bit more!

I was surprised by the color, expecting it to be purple or blue based on the flavor. The Acai Berry tastes a bit like unsweetened white tea...Maybe this is because it's the sugar free version of the powder.

I definitely noticed a difference in my initial energy and stamina during my runs; the one time I skipped it (for experimental purposes!) during the trial, I definitely noticed a change in my energy level. That could have been a mental thing, or a combination of other factors.

Pros: 

•  Easy to transport and take with you.
• Fresh, light flavor.
• It works quickly.
• Easy/fast to drink - you mix it into just 8 oz of water.

It's hard to make a happy face while drinking from a straw, but I promise I was enjoying this!

• Clears the pipes. (This is a pro for me because I like to know I've emptied everything out before I run, and I definitely found that - like most other pre-workout drinks - Vega Sport's Pre-Workout Energizer did the trick.)

Cons:

• Mix consistency. Some of the packets mixed better than others, but for about 80% of them, they didn't really mix in all the way, and no matter how hard I stirred or for how long, I was left with powder residue floating on top.

This is my one real complaint about the product.

• Meant for "light intensity" workouts, such as a 30-minute run, so its effects may not last for a long run or for intense interval or speed training.

Overall, I really love this drink and I plan to keep using it. Also, after scoping out their website, I'm excited to try more of Vega Sport's products, especially their fuel for during workouts, and their protein bars.

Going along with how personalized Fuel Your Better is, I love this nifty feature on Vega's site, which allows you to put together your own plan based on your exercise routine:

Seriously awesome, especially if you're learning how to fuel for the first time.

*I was given Vega Sport Pre-Workout Sugar Free Energize for free to review. The opinions presented here are genuine, honest, and mine alone.

How do you fuel pre-workout?

What part of your workout is affected most when you don't fuel properly?

ABK