Healthy Meals On The Go with FamilyMart's Fresh n' Lite

Healthy and low-calorie meals don't have to be time-consuming, boring, or bland. Not anymore...

FamilyMart will soon launch its new Health and Wellness Line with its Fresh n'Lite meals, ten healthy, low-calorie, flavorful, and convenient meals created by noted Chef Him Uy de Baron.

In a preview held at East Creative Asian Cuisine, FamilyMart shared a sneak preview, and a taste, of the new line of dishes. FamilyMart's new Fresh n' Lite meals include ten dishes with calories ranging from 154 to 520 calories per meal, featuring rice meals, pasta, and snacks. And if you think low calorie means less flavors, think again.

Each new dish from FamilyMart's Fresh n' Lite line is conveniently packed and ready to heat and eat, with descriptive labels detailing the nutritional and calorie information. The new line offers ten healthy and tasty options for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, and even snacks. Chef Him Uy de Baron uses the finest, freshest ingredients, including high fiber brown rice for the new line, for rich flavors. Healthy, flavorful, low-calorie and reasonably priced, FamilyMart has a winning concept with its new Fresh n' Lite line. "We, at Philippine FamilyMart, ultimately want to make healthy quality food accessible to every Filipino," shares Ed Paredes, Jr., General Manager for FamilyMart. "We hear the cry of our busy and on-the-go consumers for a one-stop place where they could get tasty and nourishing food that's fresh, quick, and available."

Chef Him Uy de Baron (L) described each dish to guests during the preview, while Ed Paredes (R), General Manager for FamilyMart responded to questions from the invited guests. Chef Him Uy de Baron is known for his use of bold flavors, and the new Fresh n' Lite line does exactly that, with less calories.

Then, it was time to sample FamilyMart's new Fresh n' Lite line, starting with the Veggie Sticks with Hummus Dip, a healthy snack with carrots, celery, radish, and broccoli sliced in strips with hummus seasoned with chickpeas, sesame oil, peanut butter, garlic, paprika, lemon juice, and olive oil. Each veggie stick has a fresh "snap" and bite, with a subtle sweetness that can only come from the freshest vegetables. The hummus adds a rich and nutty flavor to complete the dish. A smart snack and a healthier alternative to the usual chips or fries, with only 154 calories, and reasonably priced at just P 75 per pack.

FamilyMart's Fresh n' Lite meals include three breakfast dishes, starting with the Breakfast Beef Rice Meal, with tender lean beef seasoned with crushed black pepper and fresh pineapple juice, drizzled with a savory sesame mayo dressing for bold flavors.

The brown rice, with kangkong leaves for added fiber, is softer than the usual brown rice, pairing well with the tender lean beef. With only 472 calories, yet full of flavor, this is one breakfast meal that's perfect to start your day. And affordable too, at only P 150. 

The next breakfast meal from FamilyMart's Fresh n' Lite is the Breakfast Chicken Rice Meal, with lean and tender chicken with just a pinch of brown sugar and served with banana ketchup and brown rice.

The subtle sweetness of the chicken dish is both familiar and comforting, almost like a tocino without the excessive calories. With only 520 calories, you can't go wrong with this dish. Packed with flavor, with everything you need to start your day right, for only P 150. 

The third breakfast dish from FamilyMart's Fresh n' Lite line is the Smoked Fish Rice Meal, with smoked milkfish served with a mix of fresh greens. The tender milkfish fillet, topped with a fresh salsa of tomatoes and onions is another light yet flavorful dish that's perfect for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.

With only 275 calories, the smoked fish and brown rice combo is ideal for those seafood cravings, any time of day. Like all of FamilyMart's Fresh n' Lite meals, it's also reasonably priced at P 150.

Craving for pasta? No worries, FamilyMart's Fresh n' Lite's got that covered too. Fresh n' Lite offers two tasty pasta dishes, including the Spanish Sardine Arabiatta, another dish packed with flavor with only 320 calories. Chef Him Uy de Baron's recipe for the dish is based on his wife's favorite dish, adding a homestyle and comforting vibe to the low calorie yet tasty dish.

The Spanish sardines deliver rich flavors, combining well with the spicy and tangy sauce made richer with a blend of aromatics and seasonings. The noodles are firm, and the sauce adds a whisper of heat from the spices and the Spanish sardines. Rich in calcium and protein, this low calorie meal or snack packs a healthy punch. All that, for only P 69.

The second pasta dish from Fresh n' Lite is the Chicken Pomodoro, with tender chicken breast marinated and cooked to perfection on a rich tomato-based sauce. Healthy carbs and protein in one dish, with only 332 calories.

Like the previous dish, the noodles are firm with a delectable bite, and the subtle notes of the tender chicken are complemented by the rich flavors of the sauce with its blend of seasonings and aromatics. At only P 69, this one's definitely a healthier and more flavorful option than the usual pasta dish.

FamilyMart's Fresh n' Lite infuses Chinese flavors in its next meal, with its version of Healthy Hainanese Chicken Rice, with delicately poached chicken and high fiber brown rice cooked with chicken stock. The distinct and rich flavors of Hainanese Chicken are recreated in a healthier version, with only 173 calories. This one's a personal favorite.

The soft brown rice flavored with chicken stock is moist and pairs well with the tender chicken. Add some chili sauce and some ginger leek sauce for an added kick, and you've got a perfectly healthy yet flavorful meal, all for only P 150.

The next dish draws inspiration from distinct Korean flavors, Fresh n' Lite's Kimchi Beef Rice, with tender lean beef seasoned in savory sesame oil paired with low-calorie brown rice stirred with mayo and fiber-rich kimchi.

With only 401 calories, Fresh n' Lite's Kimchi Beef Rice is another surprisingly flavorful dish, with distinct layers of sweetness and spicy notes all in one dish. The flavors of the rice is kicked up a notch with the kimchi, balanced by the tender and delicate sweet notes of the beef. This one's another personal favorite, and for only P 175, it's a pretty good deal.

And finally, Fresh n' Lite offers its own version of the classic Taho, made with soya protein and sweetened with simple syrup, the chilled silky soya pudding is topped with sago pearls for that perfect snack. Velevety smooth like a panna cotta, and not too sweet, with only 180 calories, it's the perfect snack any time of day. For only P55, you get a healthy and satisfying snack, and just in time to beat the summer heat. Fresh n' Lite will also be introducing a Mango-flavored Taho to complement its classic Taho for even more choices. "With our new Fresh n' Lite product line, we hope to make it easier for Filipinos to create promising and feasible healthy lifestyles beginning with the food they eat without having to sacrifice great flavor," adds Paredes. And the first ten dishes of FamilyMart's Fresh n' Lite look, and taste, promising indeed. "Now, it's just a matter of making a decision. With the growing demand for food options supporting healthy eating habits, that choice has become very simple," concludes Paredes.

FamilyMart's new Fresh n' Lite line provides healthier dining alternatives with easy access to low-calorie yet flavorful meals for a feasible and healthy lifestyle. And with its reasonable pricing structure, FamilyMart's Fresh n' Lite also offers superior value, with bold flavors and less calories. Now, that's a winning combination.

The FamilyMart Fresh n' Lite line will be available starting March 25, 2015 at all FamilyMart branches nationwide.

For more information on on FamilyMart's Fresh n' Lite line, you can visit their website at www.familymart.ph.

Dude for Food is now on Facebook, check out the FB Page for regular updates on good eats. Better yet, click "Like" and enjoy the ride...just look for the FB "Like" widget on the right sidebar.