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LIFESTYLE

Saucy paste is tasty and simple

24 Jun, 2017 5:00am
3 minutes to read

COMMENT: It's tasty, cheap and only has one ingredient that some of you may want to avoid.

Nice & Natural Protein Nut Bars Salted Caramel Flavour. Photo / Supplied

LIFESTYLE

They taste good and are good for you

17 Jun, 2017 5:00am
3 minutes to read

COMMENT: These bars are sweet but low in sugar and are ideal for lunchboxes.

LIFESTYLE

Questions on flavour bear little fruit

10 Jun, 2017 5:00am
3 minutes to read

Opinion: Herbal or fruit teas are clean and simple, right?

Pam's Coconut Spread. $3.49 for 500g. Photo / Supplied

LIFESTYLE

Craze for coconut spreading everywhere

3 Jun, 2017 5:00am
3 minutes to read

COMMENT: Jury still out on benefit of trendy ingredient, writes Wendyl Nissen.

Tegel's Chicken Luncheon does not use MSG, artificial flavours of soy protein fillers.

LIFESTYLE

Wendyl Nissen: Tegel Chicken Luncheon

27 May, 2017 5:00am
4 minutes to read

The good old luncheon sausage is such a popular standby for busy parent.

Jarrah Hot Choc Salted Caramel. Photo / Wendyl Nissen

LIFESTYLE

Chocolate drink with mystery ingredients

20 May, 2017 5:00am
3 minutes to read

COMMENT: Either-or labelling leads to confusion for the consumer.

Tip Top Sandwich Thins. Photo / Wendyl Nissen

LIFESTYLE

A complicated take on your daily bread

13 May, 2017 5:00am
3 minutes to read

COMMENT: Sandwich thins are low-calorie option but contain more additives than usual loaf.

Maggis soup for a cup cream of mushroom with croutons. Photo / Wendyl Nissen

LIFESTYLE

Wendyl Nissen: Is there a mushroom in your soup?

6 May, 2017 5:00am
5 minutes to read

Wendyl Nissen is surprised at how little mushroom there is in this soup.

Tegel Chicken Nibbles. $14.99 for 1.5kg. Photo / Supplied

LIFESTYLE

Chicken product stuffed with water

29 Apr, 2017 10:30am
5 minutes to read

COMMENT: Fresh nibbles are more expensive, but will give more bang for your buck.

Be Natural Organics Golden Whole Grain Bites Original. Photo / Supplied

LIFESTYLE

Great cereal if you can afford it

24 Apr, 2017 8:00am
4 minutes to read

COMMENT: I discovered this cereal last year and ate it regularly, writes Wendyl Nissen.

If Select had simply put stock in this packet instead of adding the very weird chicken pre-mix then I think we'd have a lovely product.

LIFESTYLE

Nissen: Complicating the stock recipe

15 Apr, 2017 5:00am
4 minutes to read

With 18 ingredients in this store-bought stock you'd be best to make your own.

Berocca Forward Red Berries. Photo / Supplied

LIFESTYLE

Berocca now comes in a quick pick-me-up can

9 Apr, 2017 1:15pm
5 minutes to read

COMMENT: Berry booster works out dearer than its tablet counterpart, writes Wendyl Nissen.

Sealord New Zealand Hoki Malay Coconut Curry. Photo / Wendyl Nissen

LIFESTYLE

Tasty fish curry earns all health ticks

1 Apr, 2017 5:00am
3 minutes to read

COMMENT: Wendyl Nissen casts her eye over Sealord NZ Hoki Malay Coconut Curry.

Select Chicken Pad Thai. $5 for 350g. Photo / Supplied

LIFESTYLE

Nissen: Fast, filling and no nasties in Thai meal

25 Mar, 2017 5:00am
3 minutes to read

Comment: This has a lot of sugar but the dish is traditionally sweet.

High in sugar at nearly three teaspoons per Mallow Puff. Photo / Supplied

LIFESTYLE

High-sugar twist on classic Kiwi bikkie

18 Mar, 2017 9:00am
3 minutes to read

COMMENT: 3 teaspoons of sugar in every puff requires strict discipline.

This little dish will give you 2.9g of fat and only 730 kj or 182 calories. Photo / Supplied

LIFESTYLE

Reviewed: 'Diet' noodles the perfect light dish

11 Mar, 2017 5:00am
3 minutes to read

COMMENT: 'Diet' noodles easy to prepare for quick, light lunch or dinner.

Magic Pandas Wonton Soup. Photo / Supplied

LIFESTYLE

Wontons afloat in a sea of additives

4 Mar, 2017 8:30am
4 minutes to read

COMMENT: I used to eat a lot of these soups for lunch in the 90s, then I looked at the ingredients label, reports Wendyl Nissen.

Tegel Southern Style Nibbles. Photo / Supplied

LIFESTYLE

Southern-style chicken passes taste test

25 Feb, 2017 10:30am
4 minutes to read

COMMENT: Could Tegel's spicy nibbles match the world's best? Very acceptable, dish them up again, says aficionado.

Sachie's Kitchen Summer Rolls. Photo / Supplied

LIFESTYLE

Nissen: Good intro to healthy Asian starter

19 Feb, 2017 11:00am
3 minutes to read

COMMENT: Summer rolls kit is pricey but at least it's from a real person.

The Natural Confectionery Co. Smoothie Chews and Pascall Fruit Burst. Photo / Supplied

LIFESTYLE

Lollies sweet as, but better for you

11 Feb, 2017 5:00am
4 minutes to read

COMMENT: Natural flavours make this confectionery is a healthier treat for your friends and family.

Pam's Mince and Cheese Pies. Photo / Supplied

LIFESTYLE

What's really in your meat pie

4 Feb, 2017 5:00am
4 minutes to read

COMMENT: The flavour and colours are natural but less than a fifth of these pies is meat.

Vogel's All Good Almond Cashew and Linseed. $5.00 for 500g. Photo / Supplied: Wendyl Nissen

LIFESTYLE

Wendyl Nissen: Vogel's cracks healthy cereal number

28 Jan, 2017 5:00am
5 minutes to read

Product with low sugar and salt and plenty of wholegrains a good choice.

Continental Creamy Spinach, Parmesan and Bacon Pasta. Photo / Wendyl Nissen

LIFESTYLE

Nissen: Flavourings help a tasty, fast food

21 Jan, 2017 5:00am
3 minutes to read

COMMENT: When do-it-yourself pasta is not on the agenda and a quick meal is needed, this package fits the bill.

Schweppes Soda with a twist of lemon. Photo / Supplied

LIFESTYLE

Soda with a twist a sugary pop hit

14 Jan, 2017 3:51pm
2 minutes to read

COMMENT: A do-it-yourself version without the sugar is better for you.

Stock items often differ between supermarkets and change, but on the day these were the best offerings Wendyl could find. Photo / Supplied

LIFESTYLE

The only barbecue foods you need this summer

8 Jan, 2017 12:30pm
8 minutes to read

COMMENT: Wendyl Nissen headed to the supermarket on a mission to find some of our favourite barbecue foods with the least additives in them.

Sealord Tuna Pockets - Lemon, sesame and ginger Photo / Sealord

LIFESTYLE

Tuna pouch only half-filled with tuna

7 Jan, 2017 4:00pm
3 minutes to read

COMMENT: A flavoured tuna pocket is easy to take to work or to complete a meal but why not buy a tin and add your own fresh flavour.

Maggi Hollandaise Finishing Sauce. Photo / Supplied

LIFESTYLE

Wendyl Nissen: Hollandaise gets dressing-down

31 Dec, 2016 5:00am
4 minutes to read

COMMENT: I understand that our reader finds this easy to prepare and it is less fatty than a true hollandaise but, oh, it has so many additives.

Sodastream Raspberry Flavoured Sparkling Water Mix. Photo / Supplied

LIFESTYLE

Wendyl Nissen: 'Low-sugar' hides additives

24 Dec, 2016 5:00am
3 minutes to read

COMMENT: The most disappointing thing about this syrup is that nowhere on the packaging does it signal that it uses artificial sweeteners.

Orbento Sliced Pickled Ginger, $1.29 for 100g and S&B Wasabi, $2.89 for 43g. Photo / Wendyl Nissen

LIFESTYLE

Surprising additions to your sushi condiments

17 Dec, 2016 5:00am
4 minutes to read

After writing about wasabi rice crackers two weeks ago I realised that I had never taken a good look at two very common and popular condiments.

Obviously the best things to put in your trolley for Christmas is loads of seasonal fresh foods. Photo / 123RF

LIFESTYLE

Wendyl Nissen: Have a real food Xmas

10 Dec, 2016 5:00am
9 minutes to read

COMMENT: I have spent an afternoon in the supermarket for you and has come up with my best selections for Christmas Day food items.

Peckish Rice Crackers, Wasabi flavour. $2 for 100g. Photo / Supplied

LIFESTYLE

Healthy snack? The additives hiding in rice crackers

3 Dec, 2016 2:15pm
4 minutes to read

COMMENT: These take a dozen ingredients to get the taste of wasabi.

Belladotti Salad Toppers Bacon Bits. $4.99 for 100g. Photo / Wendyl Nissen

LIFESTYLE

No pigs were harmed to bring it home

26 Nov, 2016 5:00am
3 minutes to read

COMMENT: These intriguing no-bacon bacon bits change initial impressions.

Waitoa Chicken Nuggets Gluten Free. Photo / Supplied

LIFESTYLE

Wendyl Nissen: A good chicken feed

19 Nov, 2016 5:00am
5 minutes to read

COMMENT: Free-range nuggets beat the previously foul rap-sheet.

Eta Uppercuts Deli Cut Peking Duck. $2.50 for140g. Photo / Supplied

LIFESTYLE

Wendyl Nissen: No duck was harmed

12 Nov, 2016 5:00am
4 minutes to read

COMMENT: These chips taste like the real thing but that's down to clever chemists.

Meadow Fresh Original Milk. Photo / Supplied

LIFESTYLE

Reviewed: Is the new Meadow Fresh milk any better?

6 Nov, 2016 4:45pm
3 minutes to read

COMMENT: Milk without reintroduced permeates is available and costs little more than one that tastes more watery.

Edmonds Cake in a Cup Raspberry and Coconut. Photo / Supplied

LIFESTYLE

Wendyl Nissen: Treat in a teacup

29 Oct, 2016 5:00am
4 minutes to read

COMMENT: So for a treat, have a few of these in the cupboard and next time you visit an elderly relative take a few boxes. They'll love them.

Tatua Cheese Sauce. $4.65 for 200g sachet. Photo / Supplied

LIFESTYLE

Wendyl Nissen: Cheese in a whizz

22 Oct, 2016 5:00am
2 minutes to read

COMMENT: Handy sauce sachet is pretty close to the real thing.

Cameo Cremes. $3 for 250g. Photo / Supplied

Unnatural recipe takes the biscuit

15 Oct, 2016 3:00pm
3 minutes to read

COMMENT: Cameo Cremes are an old-fashioned favourite, so it would be nice to see some old-fashioned goodness in them.

Copper Kettle Chips Wagyu Beef and Wasabi Cream $3.99 for 150g. Photo / Wendyl Nissen

LIFESTYLE

Bluebird chips away at fake flavours

8 Oct, 2016 5:00am
4 minutes to read

COMMENT: It is such a nice experience to look at the ingredients list of these chips and find that they are naturally flavoured.

Just Juice 50% less sugar Tropical - $3.09 for 1 litre. Photo / Wendyl Nissen

LIFESTYLE | Food & Drink

Just Juice with water just as sweet

1 Oct, 2016 5:00am
3 minutes to read

COMMENT: This is great for bringing the sugar content down, so you will get just 11.7g of sugar in a 250ml glass.

Tasti Muffin Bakes Choc Peppermint. $3.89 for 240g. Photo / Supplied

LIFESTYLE

Wendyl Nissen: Home baking always best

24 Sep, 2016 5:00am
4 minutes to read

COMMENT: There are no artificial flavours or colours, but I am unable to buy into the sell that these are traditionally baked.

Edmond's Deli Style Avocado and Roasted Garlic $3.99 for 185ml. Photo / Wendyl Nissen

LIFESTYLE

Bottle gets a bit of a dressing down

17 Sep, 2016 5:00am
3 minutes to read

These small bottles of dressing appeared a few months ago on the supermarket shelves and I liked their look.

Campbell's Country Ladle Roast Chicken & Winter Vegetable Soup. Photo / Supplied

LIFESTYLE

Chicken soup - but where's the chicken?

10 Sep, 2016 10:45am
4 minutes to read

COMMENT: With just 4 per cent or 20.2g chicken I think the name of this soup should be changed to Winter Vegetables with Roast Chicken.

V Pure $7 for 4 x 200ml cans. Photo / Supplied

LIFESTYLE

Nissen: New V victory for consumer demand

3 Sep, 2016 5:00am
2 minutes to read

COMMENT: Well go for it, and thank you to Frucor who make V for listening to the consumers who, like me, want a more natural alternative to your products.

Whiskas Kitten Adult Cats Milk Plus Lactose Free $4 99 for 1 Litre. Photo / Supplied

LIFESTYLE

Sugar turn pet treat into lap of luxury

27 Aug, 2016 5:00am
3 minutes to read

COMMENT: If your cat enjoys a healthy diet full of meat then as a carnivore it should be quite healthy, so it doesn't really need this milk.

Special K Original $5.29 for 300g. Photo / Supplied

LIFESTYLE

Wendyl Nissen: Special K investigation

20 Aug, 2016 5:00am
3 minutes to read

COMMENT: The nutritional content is high in this cereal, but so is the sugar.

Meadow Fresh Vanilla Custard and Edmonds Custard Powder. Photo / Supplied

LIFESTYLE

Wendyl Nissen: Turning to custard

13 Aug, 2016 5:00am
4 minutes to read

COMMENT: Two supermarket solutions are acceptable toppings for your winter puddings, but why not make the real thing?

Edmonds Onion and Herb Bread Mix. $7.49 for 1.25kg. Photo / Supplied

LIFESTYLE

Who kneads so many ingredients?

6 Aug, 2016 5:00am
4 minutes to read

COMMENT: Bread mix would suit a beginner but you could use your loaf and make one from scratch.

Bluebird Duos cheddar and crispy bacon chips $2.15 for 140g. Photo / Supplied

LIFESTYLE

Chipping in with nasty additives

30 Jul, 2016 5:00am
3 minutes to read

COMMENT: Once you start trying to make chips taste like bacon without putting bacon in, you are ingesting a range of additives you don't really need.

Real Foods Instant Porridge with syrup Forest Fruit $2.99 for 90g. Photo / Supplied

LIFESTYLE

Sugary porridge better if you toss syrup

23 Jul, 2016 5:00am
3 minutes to read

COMMENT: If you want an instant porridge without sugar, then opt for this one, throw syrup out and add your own berries for extra flavour and nutrition.

Birds Eye Corn Fritters. $8.84 for 500g. Photo / Supplied

LIFESTYLE

Wendyl Nissen: Ticks the boxes for lunch

16 Jul, 2016 5:00am
3 minutes to read

COMMENT: These would be great for vegetarians and they also have the benefit of no added artificial colours, flavours or preservatives.

Heller's BBQ Pulled Pork. $5 for 180g. Photo / Supplied

LIFESTYLE

Wendyl Nissen: Handy but not so healthy

9 Jul, 2016 5:00am
3 minutes to read

COMMENT: Additives abound in this packet so why not buy pork shoulder and cook it yourself?

Free From Gluten Choc Brownie Mix $6.50 for 400g. Photo / Wendyl Nissen

LIFESTYLE

Sweet treat leaves out artificial nasties

2 Jul, 2016 5:00am
3 minutes to read

COMMENT: As far as cake mixes go, I rate this one highly because it is easy to make and tastes good.

Jelly Belly Gourmet Soda Strawberry Jam $2.00 for 355ml. Photo / Supplied

LIFESTYLE

Jelly bean drink has more sugar than Coke

25 Jun, 2016 10:42am
3 minutes to read

COMMENT: Give this one a miss if you're looking for a sweet treat for your child on a shopping trip and go for something a little more natural.

Tasty Bite Lemongrass & Ginger Noodles. Photo / Supplied

LIFESTYLE

Noodle aisle's spiced invader worth a look

18 Jun, 2016 5:00am
3 minutes to read

COMMENT: This is a very aromatic, intense and spicy meal, so if you like Indian food then you'll probably love these.

LIFESTYLE

Little packet of coleslaw a pretender to the real thing

11 Jun, 2016 5:00am
3 minutes to read

How do you know if you're getting a good salad that's mainly vegetables or something else that is just swimming in dressing?

Whittaker's Tip Top Jelly Tip Block. Photo / Supplied

LIFESTYLE

Whittaker's wins in novelty smackdown

4 Jun, 2016 5:00am
4 minutes to read

COMMENT: Does your local supermarket have walls and walls of chocolate by the checkout? Mine does. It seems as though novelty chocolate is taking over.

LIFESTYLE

Hash brown a day can be okay

28 May, 2016 11:25am
3 minutes to read

There's not a lot wrong with hash browns as they are mainly made of potato

Snappy Tom Salmon with Chicken cat biscuits. $14.89 for 3kg. Photo / Supplied

LIFESTYLE

Wendyl Nissen: Natural bikkies a cat above

21 May, 2016 5:00am
3 minutes to read

COMMENT: If you're going to use cat biscuits, then these are a good choice because of the minimal additives.

VIP Chunkers with Roast Beef and Vegetables.

LIFESTYLE

Wendyl Nissen: Added sugar is barking mad

14 May, 2016 5:30am
3 minutes to read

Hunt for good-quality dog food helped me find this Australian range, new to the market here.

Doctors Choice Dairy Free Bio Yoghurt - made from Coconut, $7.99 for 330g. Photo / Supplied

LIFESTYLE

Wendyl Nissen: A yoghurt for dairy free eaters

7 May, 2016 5:00am
3 minutes to read

COMMENT: The world has gone mad for coconut. Coconut water, milk and cream is in every health food as we search for more ways to improve our health.

LIFESTYLE

Cracker additives pack in the salt

30 Apr, 2016 5:00am
2 minutes to read

Everyone loves a rice cracker because they are light and crunchy, low in calories and gluten free.