24 years old, good job, apartment downtown, fantastic friends.. fun weekends. Some might say, I have a pretty great life. And while I certainly would not disagree, most are unaware I struggle each day with the disease PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome). I have battled PCOS since I was 12 years old, and like most girls, was unaware of the source of my symptoms. Symptoms are every woman’s nightmare: insulin resistance, weight gain, dark facial hair and less than exciting menstrual cycles. In other words.. MISERY. There is no known cure other than curtailing it with a healthy lifestyle and strict diet. Considering my mom is a nutritionist and I have been eating ‘right’ since I hit puberty, I like to think strict diet lies somewhere at the top of my ‘what I do well’ list. Nonetheless, all the proper eating, exercise, half-marathons, personal trainers and cross-fit, had NOT enabled me to lose the weight I needed to better control PCOS.
Enter Snap Kitchen. It is tough to explain what a life saver this ‘foodie inspired’ meals-to-go spot has been. Though I love to cook, lets face it.. time, energy, resources, all present themselves. Whatever the case may be, Snap is my PERFECT solution. Especially as I have maxed out my patience with Kashi frozen dinners and there is only so much Whole Foods sushi and salad bar a girl can take! [At Snap] For breakfast there is gluten free peanut butter pancakes.. nothing short of amazing and super healthy. For lunch, they offer a mouth watering deconstructed bison cheeseburger salad, that I could literally eat every day! Paleo? They have it. Thai curry? Yep. Mexican food? You bet. Salmon with a side of ‘mashed potatoes’? It’s there. Of course, I am not really eating mashed potatoes due to the starch content. Their ‘mashed potatoes’ are cooked and blended cauliflower, but 5 bites in, the consistency and taste is enough to leave you guessing (did they use real potatoes?). And just in case your sweet tooth makes an entrance, gluten free cookies and brownies to carry it home.. MY FAVE!
I had always hoped for and easy, convenient and delicious ‘fast food’ restaurant I could patron and not feel guilty. Symptoms of PCOS still linger, but ever since I started eating Snap (religiously) 6 months ago, I have lost 10 pounds and the signs have dissipated. Even if you are not a female fighting my disease, Snap alleviates the burden of figuring out healthy meal options.. at least Monday through Friday. And that is more than helpful.
- Lauren Fleishman
Awesome! I lived at The Triangle and never tried Snap Kitchen. I went in there a few times, but I thought their prices were high considering I thought (like most “healthy” prepackaged food) that I would be paying for portion control. I am glad you wrote this blog because now I know it’s actually really healthy for you! Do they share recipes for any of their food? I would love to try and cook more healthy for 2012! Thanks for blogging, I loved it!
Hey Chloe,
Thanks for the comment, you’re right…the prices are not “cheap”, however if I wasn’t eating at Snap I’d be eating out, or at Whole Foods or somewhere where the prices are comprable if not more expensive. Cooking for yourself is always an option, I don’t like cooking for 1 because I get bored of the food and end up wasting it all, or even worse..overeating in order to save it. For me, I find value in the prices, so I do it. I’m not sure if they share recipes for their food, but I know for a fact that on every dish they have a list of ingredients, so if you’re talented in the kitchen, it probably wouldn’t be hard to duplicate! Thanks again for reading and commenting!
Chloe,
We do not currently have a cook book nor give out recipes. However, if you have a moment, our chef was recently on FOX Austin giving a short cooking lesson. The dish? Quinoa ‘Fried Rice’ ..recipe included.
http://www.myfoxaustin.com/dpp/good_day/Fuel-Your-Body-in-2012-20111228-ktbcw#axzz1hrlq6mKk
Glad you enjoyed the article, and perhaps we will see you in Snap!