Tai Pei Garlic Shrimp

By: Tanya Taylor, PhD | Jan 21, 2008

Tai Pei doesn't market itself as low calorie, low fat or low anything, but it caught my eye because of that interesting "Chinese take-out carton" shape. A quick scan of the ingredients list showed that this was only 70 calories per serving with 2.5 servings per box, which still puts this entire thing under 200 calories. No way this wasn't going back on the shelf, so into my trolley it went, and I had it for dinner that very evening.

There is no peeling or tearing of packaging required before putting it microwave, because it is m'wave safe. After 5 minutes, I could smell the delicious garlic aroma exuding from the ready-to-be-eaten Garlic Shrimp. I decided to dish out the 1 cup serving size, but I should have weighed it, because 1 cup was almost the entire thing (even though the box says it should be less than 1/3rd). So, I just said, let me eat it all - it's only 175 calories anyway. To complete the meal, I microwaved some BirdsEye SteamFresh Green Beans, and added serving (1 cup). One fabulously filling dinner for less than 210 calories!

Did I already mention that this meal was delicious - close to perfection?! The garlic sauce was light in taste and body. I drizzled it over the vegetables and since it wasn't a heavy sauce, it added only a light flavor. There were vegetables galore. Carrots, broccoli, sugar snap peas, bell peppers and water chestnuts. Lots and lots of veggie - and then I remembered that this should be "garlic shrimp." But where were the shrimp? After a big of digging around, I spotted 1 of the 7 shrimp - yes I counted! If this meal had a flaw, that would be it.

Each serving of Tai Pei Garlic Shrimp Meal has 70 calories, 1.5 grams of fat (3% of the RDA), no saturated fat or trans fat, 8% of the RDA for cholesterol, 21% of the RDA for sodium (510 mg), 6 grams of protein and 10 grams of total carbohydrates which includes 3 grams of sugars and 3 grams of fiber (11% of the RDA).

So, for the entire box, 175 calories, 27.5% of the RDA fiber, but too much salt - 52.5% of the RDA - ouch! With the lack of shrimp being the 1st flaw, then this would be the 2nd. The price tag was $2.00 for a 12 ounce size.

I really enjoyed this meal, and if your eating right and usually don't eat too much sodium, then I would highly recommend this Steamed Vegetables and Shrimp with Garlic Sauce dinner - yes, I have renamed it to let the World know that I, who am not a vegetable lover by nature but by way of a New Years Resolution, actually loved this meal and plan to make it a mainstay on my grocery list.

Rating

Taste:

Nutrition:

Price:

Overall:

See more on: Frozen Meals , shrimp   comments (8)