Red Mango Mixed Berry Parfait Review

Ok, the following thoughts might be a little messy since I decided to try and type a thought on my phone after every bite or two. I needed to buy lunch today but I have been trying to eat healthier. I could have went with something like a nice salad but I decided on something a little more blog friendly.

The Mixed Berry Parfait from Red Mango (16oz - $5.30)

So we've got fresh strawberries on the bottom, a layer of original all natural, non-fat frozen yogurt, then a mix of granola, fresh blueberries, more strawberries, and half of a banana (sliced). There's then another layer of froyo and a nice covering of granola on top (those are flax seeds from the granola). 

I will admit it looks a little small at first glance (remember, I'm doing this as a lunch substitute). Also, I was kind of hoping they would ask me which of their six flavors I wanted in my parfait so that I could pick one of their new sweet froyos, but no such luck. Well, no worries, let's eat our treat as Red Mango intended and we'll just see what happens.

Ok, commencing live blogging

I hesitate and then take my first bite. Right off the bat I notice that it's not the typical tart flavor I am use to. No no, this is much more like citrus tang rather than some icky tart (remember, I don't really do tart). It almost feels like I'm digging into some funky some frozen lemonade, the citrus vibe is just that strong.

Hehehehe, those are some plump whole blueberries, hard to taste them under the yogurt though.

Wow, the yogurt overrides the banana slices too. I can tell that they are there since they are adding some texture and taste, but they are in a distant second place to the yogurt right now.

Ohhh, oh yeah that was a tasty bite. I  really like the froyo with the strawberry slices.

Sorry, but I find it funny that the bananas are muted by froyo.

I'm actually really enjoying this. I am beyond shocked right now... or should I say awed? They say being awed is what keeps us young and right now I'm feeling chipper with this tasty dessert in my hand.

The guy sitting in front of me has a two cheeseburger value meal... I totally made the better choice though technically his lunch might fill him longer than mine does... Actually I might be filling up since I'm trying hard to pace myself here.

Ok, I like the bites with multple fruits in them. For example, a bite with both strawberry and banana and froyo is actually really good, and I despise banana mixed with frozen anything. I'm know I'm not a very refined eater, but when you strip things down to the most basic pieces and really aim for a clean taste, that's when true flavor blending happens and even a cranky bug like me has got to stop and go "wow, that's good". 

Yes, there is granola crunch in every bite. It's a nice simple granola that's fresh and not too sweet. I think the flax seeds are leaving a little bit of lingering seedy aftertaste, but I can live with that.

Things are going well but it's time to try something different. I'm gonna swirl the last third of this treat and see what happens.... whoa, there are too many strawberries on the bottom and I'm getting overloaded here. I actually wish there were some bananas left (can't believe I just said that).

Other thoughts? My treat seemed to melt fairly quick even in the a/c, though it is fat free and chemical free so  that's probably a big part of that (not complaining, just an observation) --- Doh, that blueberry still had a big green stem on it --- I wonder if this granola is nut free since I can't find the ingredient list on their website. 

Alright, I slurped the last few bites and we are done. I don't think this was necessarily a proper lunch that would truly satiate someone, but it certainly was refreshing. I love the spunk of this treat. It doesn't feel like some regular yogurt thing going on, it feels like a nice berry-citrus burst and I really do feel silly for not trying this sooner. Maybe I fell pray to the foofoo look of their stores and just figured it wasn't for me. Whatever it was, I am older and wiser now and have realized the folly of my mistakes.

Verdict?  Excellent
Buy Again?  Yes

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size   16oz
Amount Per Serving
Calories  280	from Fat  40
	% Daily Value*
Total Fat  4.5g	7%
- Sat Fat  0g	0%
- Trans Fat  0g
Cholesterol  0mg	0%
Sodium  150mg	6%
Total Carbohydrate  56g	19%
- Dietary Fiber   5g	20%
- Sugars  38g
Protein  6g
Vitamin A   2%	Vitamin C   70%
Calcium   10%	Iron   6%

Probiotics - S. thermophilus, L. bulgaricus, L. lactis, L. acidophilus, and GanedenBC30® (Bacillus coagulans GBI-30, 6086).