🩺 THE HEART EXAM: Dinner Table Edition

Three gluten- and dairy-free “patients” on the exam table today — Katz Dinner Rolls, Simple Truth Chickpea Spaghetti, and Follow Your Heart Dairy-Free Parmesan Cheese.

❤️ Patient #1: Katz Dinner Rolls

🫀 Health:
Each bag contains four soft, certified gluten-free, dairy-free, nut-free rolls with no artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives. One roll = 150 calories, 5g fat (2.5g saturated), 22g carbs, and 3g protein — plus a touch of Vitamin D, Iron, Calcium, and Potassium.

🍽️ Eating:
Straight from the freezer, I microwaved for 30 seconds, then “warmed” them in the oven for 5–10 minutes while prepping dinner. The result? A crisp outside, soft inside, and total transformation once I added Country Crock Dairy Free Butter ($5.99). That melt factor? 🔥 Chef’s kiss!

💰 Accessibility:
Ordered online for $4.74 — haven’t spotted them in stores yet.

📊 Rating:
🫶 Sinus rhythm — steady, reliable, and something I’d serve again (hello, Thanksgiving rolls!).

💬 Tell Others:
Perfect freezer-to-table option. If you’re ordering, grab a few extras to hit the free shipping minimum at katzglutenfree.com.

❤️ Patient #2: Simple Truth Chickpea Spaghetti

🫀 Health:
USDA Organic ✅ Non-GMO ✅ No preservatives, artificial colors, or flavors ✅
Per serving (2 oz): 180 calories, 3g fat, 33g carbs, 8g fiber, 12g protein.
A great choice for your vegetable or protein portion per MyPlate.gov — who even features a similar chickpea pasta recipe here! 🍝

🍽️ Eating:
Cooked for 9 minutes in heavily salted water (and yes, chickpea pasta loves to try and boil over — watch that pot like it’s a toddler with glitter). The texture stayed al dente, paired beautifully with Rao’s Marinara and ground beef.

💰 Accessibility:
Found at Mariano’s (Westchester, IL) for $2.99. Used about ¾ of the box for 3 people.

📊 Rating:
🫶 Sinus rhythm again — balanced and satisfying. My daughter (no food allergies) gave it two thumbs up. My husband? A little more on the “bradycardia” side 😂.

💬 Tell Others:
Keep an eye on cook time — start testing around 8 minutes and beware the foamy chickpea bubble volcano.

❤️ Patient #3: Follow Your Heart Dairy-Free Parmesan (Finely Ground)

🫀 Health:
Founded in 1970, Follow Your Heart knows their dairy-free game.
This Parmesan is soy-free, vegan, lactose-free, non-GMO, and fridge-required.
Serving size = 2 tsp: 20 calories, 1.5g fat (0.5g saturated), 2g carbs, 0g protein.

🍽️ Eating:
Out of all the dairy-free Parmesans I’ve tasted, this one smells exactly like the classic green-top shaker. 🧀 Cheesy, nutty, nostalgic — and it turned my broccoli into a crunchy, golden dream.

💰 Accessibility:
Tough to find! After striking out at Costco, Whole Foods, Jewel, and one Mariano’s, I finally scored it at another Mariano’s in Westchester for $5.49 (5 oz). Worth the hunt.

📊 Rating:
💓 Tachycardia! — my heart’s racing because it’s THAT good. Buy it when you see it; I’ll be restocking soon.

💬 Tell Others:
A little goes a long way. Next time, I’ll cook my frozen broccoli down first before adding the cheese for max crisp. Also excellent on chickpea pasta.

💡 Educational Note:

Per MyPlate.gov, a balanced meal should include fruits, vegetables, grains, protein, and dairy (or dairy alternatives!). Chickpea pasta, veggie sides, and dairy-free alternatives can all fit beautifully into that model — it’s all about making nutritious swaps that still taste delicious.

🩺 Final Diagnosis:

These three gluten- and dairy-free products are officially stable and suitable for repeat prescriptions (a.k.a. dinners).
Each plays nicely in a balanced, allergy-friendly meal — perfect for weeknights or Thanksgiving spreads.

💖 Live safe, happy, healthy.