From
Los Angeles:
Low-Carb Shopping in Los Angeles
An
Atkins Adventure
Without
strip malls, it wouldn't be much fun discovering those little
gems surrounded by video stores, take-out pizza joints and nail
salons. No irony in (the since-departed) Ginza Sushi-Ko's less-than-grand
surroundings, or the mirage-like existence of Josie's elegant
dining room. Imagine not being able to pick up a dozen freshly
made samosas next door to the dry cleaner, or not having an
impossibly perfect mole just steps from the dentist's chair.
So, that's what happened the other day while we were picking
up matzo ball soup from a local deli. Just beyond the Supercuts
and the dry cleaner, the sign said Pure Foods—low carb
market. Frankly, we love carbs and are not willing to give them
up. What's life without pasta?
Maybe
a venture into Pure Foods would adjust our attitude. It turned
out to be a no-nonsense shoebox of a place, strictly utilitarian
but plenty friendly, with great music, friendly help and lots
of ketosis-inducing merchandise. The low carb/no carb
set has developed a stunning array of products that make it
possible to respect Dr. Atkins or South Beach and still eat
well. Pure Foods strictly carries low carb, low fat and sugar
free foods. All you have to do is decide what sounds good and
pay for it.
Naturally,
we were drawn immediately to the freezer section and its shelves
groaning with ice cream. There were Atkins Endulge Super Premium
Fudge Bars and Ice Cream Bars in peanut butter swirl and vanilla
fudge swirl. Pints of chocolate, vanilla, strawberry and butter
pecan competed with all sorts of dessert bars from Controlled
Carb Gourmet and Pure Foods' own frozen desserts, including
gourmet cheesecake, chocolate fudge, key lime, and chocolate
swirl.
 |
| Dixie
Carb Counters™ Chocolate Truffle Mix |
There
were endless varieties of breads as well as rolls, bagels, and
tortillas. Mini Chicago-style deep-dish pizzas, and wraps filled
with mozzarella, tomatoes, peppers, onions and soy sausage shared
space. And, delightfully out of place stood our favorite Kozy
Shack puddings—sugar free!
There's
plenty to drink—all sorts of sodas, waters, and high protein
coffee "boosts" from Achiev One, in flavors like hazelnut
cream and vanilla nut. Low carb types must like to snack because
there was no shortage of pork rinds, soy crisps and wheat chips.
A low carb gift basket anchored a display of Keto tortilla chips,
in nacho cheese, cool ranch and classic corn.
Pure
Foods also carries tasty-sounding soup mixes from Dixie Carb
Counters: chicken noodle, broccoli and cheese and chicken/cheese
enchilada. Mixes for oven stuffing, pancakes and waffles, bread,
chocolate truffles, cakes and everything in-between lined the
shelves. There's hot cereal, cold cereal, turkey sticks and
turkey jerky.
 |
|
Ketato®
Potato Mix
|
Keto's
"mashed potato" mixes look like a friendly substitute,
and the salad dressings, sauces, syrups and jams had us nearly
convinced that this is a sustainable lifestyle. It's a generous
inventory, but you won't find fresh foods and produce. It's
geared toward high-quality convenience snacks, desserts, mixes,
condiments and ingredients. But there's certainly more to come,
including frozen meals.
Quite
a line had formed when we went to pay for a raspberry brownie.
Apparently there was a debate at the cash register about the
best way to eat the Strawberry Banana Roll from Robbins Nest
Bakery. These are cream-filled jellyroll cakes also available
in Mocha Kahlua or Wild Berry. The three people in front of
me were big fans and all agreed you should zap this dessert
in the microwave for a few seconds before consuming. Their enthusiasm
was unanimous... about everything Atkins.
Well,
we have to admit we couldn't wait to eat the brownie. It was
a surprisingly delicious way to drive home.
LOCATIONS
___________________________
Pure
Foods has two locations in Los Angeles, with more planned:
Pure
Foods #1
1820 Wilshire Blvd.
Santa Monica, CA 90402
310-828-0030
Pure
Foods #2
350 N. Canon Dr.
Beverly Hills, CA 90210
310-274-4633
www.purefoods.com
Castus
Low Carb Superstores has one location in Los Angeles. More are
planned.
Castus
Low Carb Superstore
1103 Aviation Blvd.
Hermosa Beach, CA 90254
310-698-4848
Additional low carb markets:
Heavenly
Low Carb
4621 Van Nuys Blvd.
Sherman Oaks, CA 91403
818-325-8087
Lo
Carb-U Foods
5770 Melrose Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90038
323-460-6222, 877-LOCARBU
The
LoCarb Life
10655 W. Pico Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90064
310-470-2263
CarbSmart
Low Carb & Sugar Free Market
Plaza de la Playa
19142 Beach Blvd., Suite Z
Huntington Beach, CA 92648
714-964-9010
(Updated:
06/10/09 KR)
