America is the land of fast food, buffets, take-out and food trucks. While that stuff is delicious, it can turn into a real hurdle for those who are trying to eat healthier and loose weight – especially if you have diabetes! Are there fast and healthy options for the sugar-conscious?

One company, VedaFoods, creates all-natural meal solutions that keep your blood sugar in check. They are vegan-friendly, low-glycemic, and sugar-free. I recently received a sample of VedaFoods Barley Pilaf 5-Meal Trial Pack. Every pack contains barley and jungle rice as the main ingredients, but vary in flavors thanks to different spices and veggies. Choose from Mandarin Chinese, Tangy Thai, Zesty Mexican, Mystique Indian or Toscano Italiano. Here’s what the dry mix of the Mandarin Chinese flavor looks like right out of the bag:

VedaFoods meals are all-natural and made with roasted whole grains and healing spices. The company says many of their customers add a protein source (like tofu) or mix it with a bunch of steamed veggies to create a more complete meal. That’s a good idea. By themselves, these meals taste boring, so adding some of your favorite veggies or perhaps a chopped veggie burger patty will definitely spruce it up! Also, as the package suggests, adding some fresh herbs on top can go a long way, but I just made it as is to show you what it looks like on its own.

Taste wise, this Barley Pilaf is just OK — not delicious, but not disgusting, either. It’s obviously not going to taste like a veggie burger, but eating it will help those with diabetes stay well and practice portion control. While I don’t have diabetes, several of my family members do, so I understand why this product is useful for those who fight with their glucose levels. And honestly, I probably would have liked the taste a lot more if I needed to be strict with my sugar. If you need this kind of food for your diet, you’ll find a way to make it into a tasty meal.

VedaFoods Barley Pilaf takes only five minutes to make in one pot, so the product gets major plus points for being healthy and easy-to-make in a short amount of time. In a world where those with diabetes could seriously harm their health after giving in to a fast food burger, buying products from VedaFoods is an nice way to keep your glucose levels in check.

Check out my other food reviews here.