Hood Chocolate Milk - I can not believe they did this!

[kelrivas]

Ok I thought it was just my imagination, but I have been monitoring my protein intake very closely lately since I have been attempting to lose a few pounds I gained recently and I noticed a dramatic change in Hood Carb Down Chocolate Milk that I felt I needed to sound off about. I have always enjoyed Hood milk, I am especially fond of the 2% milk, and the chocolate milk keeps me away from other naughty chocolate things.

I was checking the nutritional stats on the new Chocolate milk carton I just bought this week. I have a morning ritual of Carb Down milk, with an added scoop of whey protein and ½ cup of decaf iced coffee; it’s a wonderful breakfast drink on the go. I am sad to report that some how they have increased the carbohydrate grams to five (it used to be 2) and DECREASED (this is what really TICKS me off) the protein grams to 8 (it used to be 12!). I noticed that the Atkins seal of approval is no longer on it either, but I assumed that is because Atkins filed chapter 13, and may not be giving out seals of approval anymore (or more likely products do not seem to find it as worthy since they are going bankrupt).

I am soooo mad I have decided to contact them and complain. It is bad enough that they discontinued their juices and yogurts but it appears as if now they are producing an inferior product. Their products along with others are so over priced, but at least they were good. I do not want them to go the way of others, but they need to get their prices and their quality inline with low carb consumers, before they too go bankrupt!

[HollyAyott]

Its more likely that the previous counts were fudged a bit and now that consumers are more aware they are using the correct counts...

[kelrivas]

I wondered if that might be the case, I still hope though that they really watch themselves, they really have a great product and I hope it stays on the market. I don't mind a few extra carbs, but the price needs to be reasonable. With South Beach saying it is ok to drink skim milk instead of low carb milk I think many people might just forgo buying the low carb product. I personally have all sorts of trouble with skim milk, it totally messes up my diet, so I need the low carb product.

I wrote them earlier today and I will get back to you if there is a response.

[zorra_1]

Is it low fat? I wonder if Hood is trying to capture the Low Fat market that seems to be rearing it's ugly head again. Thanks for the warning.

[kelrivas]

Well below is the response I received from Hood. It is as I have feared, they DID increase the carbohydrate content and decrease the protein content for a “creamer texture” and to meet changing consumer preferences. What I understand that to mean is they added fillers to improve the taste and to decrease costs. Also I think they are distancing them self from the low carb world and moving toward the South Beach view of “healthy carbs”. I don’t think it will work personally because on South Beach you can drink low-fat and skim milk, but marketers sometimes aren’t looking at the whole picture but more about what will appeal to the public and sell fast (look at all the horrible protein bars on the market with all those nasty sugar alcohols, you would think someone would have made a decent protein bar by now). I personally feel they may not understand the main group (true low carb dieters) that buys their product. But the change may only be significant to a few people like myself.

I will admit that the texture is creamer and it may be worth the 2 extra carbs, but I don’t believe they had to decrease the protein content to get there. Anyway I am still pretty upset about the whole thing, but since we are at their mercy if we want a decent easy to obtain chocolate milk substitute what choice do we have? Below is a link to contact them if you would like to sound off like I did.

http://www.hphood.com/info/contact.prodExperience.asp

Subject: RE: Product Experience Feedback
Date: Thu, 25 Aug 2005 08:22:12 -0400
From: "Response from Hood" <ConsumerAffairs~hphood.com>
To: kelrivas

We're pleased you have enjoyed our Carb Countdown Dairy Beverages. We
introduced them for the many consumers following a carb- and sugar-controlled diet who miss milk and the nutrition it provides.

In an effort to meet changing consumer preferences, Hood recently
introduced new and improved Carb Countdown Dairy Beverages. Our
improved Dairy Beverages offer a richer, creamier taste. While some of the nutrition content has changed, the Dairy Beverages still provide less sugar, fewer carbs and fewer calories than regular milk.

Also, although Carb Countdown is a premium product and more expensive
To produce, Hood does not set the retail price for any of our products.

Thank you for writing and we hope you will continue to enjoy Hood Carb
Countdown products.

[kelrivas]

Its about five grams of fat for a cup, not high but not low either, but honestly I do not remember what the old stat on the fat was because like a regular low carb dieter I never looked at the fat too closely except to check that it was not trans fats. Maybe they are trying to corner the SBD consumer? Would that account for the reduction in protein? As long as they keep the carb count low and use only healthy fats I am going to still purchase it, but I am still miffed that they can take out protein and not think that is a bad thing.

Yes I have seen the silly low fat diet resurfing, I am sure it’s because the government is saying we MUST reduce fat to be healthy...even the new food guidelines say it. And though they stress whole grains now, they are not encouraging people to reduce carbs...what a crock of you- know-what....

[*rosebud*]

Thank you for letting us know about this and for posting the response from Hood. I'll take a look at the other products before I buy them. This is too bad. You know, the Hood products DID seem too good to be true! I'm bummed they changed them! :(

[mskitty331]

oh no Hood is discontinuing some of their products I do eat the carb countdown yogurt and I drink the low carb skim milk I hope that they keep the milk at least, I can live with out the yogurt but not the milk.

[LadyBelle]

After I read this I went to check my milk in the fridge. I drink the 2%. Luckily the carb count was still low, but for the first time I noticed the Atkins symbol had disapeared as you stated.

This teaches us to be more diligant in checking our foods for changes, not just relying on what we've always done. It could be the cause for stalls in some people when thier staples change

[noinwi]

I have not used the Hood products but your mentioning of the South Beach Diet raised a red flag with me. I used to buy the Carbwell bars(found in the cereal aisle) for my DH who doesn't low carb(but should) as he has a blood sugar problem. I would put a couple bars in with his lunch in case he was rushed and couldn't eat his sandwiches. I liked that they were high in protein and low in carbs. Well, now they are South Beach Diet Bars. They added fiber, reduced the fat and the taste right along with it. My DH refused to eat the last two boxes I bought, so I used them for quick breakfasts and "glove compartment food"...yuk...they tasted like shredded cardboard!

[besoge]

hey, if you dont like them i'll buy them off of you. How much u want for them and what flavors do u have?

[noinwi]

Sorry...I ate what I had(reluctantly) and I haven't bought'em since. I see them in most cereal aisles these days.

[CurlyQJew]

F.Y.I. the carbwell bars have added sugars in them...i was really discouraged when i was lookin at the ingrediants...just to let everyone know be really careful with the "carbwell" products..because most of the items that are labeled that, particularly from post all have added sugars...ALSO, the balance low carb bars have added sugars in the ingredients as well as well as some of the pria low carb bars..

[Blondie888]

I just went to Walmart to buy the chocolate carb-countdown, and was in the middle of drinking a glass when I saw the carb count. Ugh, why didn't they leave well enough alone? Yes, the taste is better, but I'd take the grainy taste over the extra carbs. When you're watching closely, there's a big difference between 2 carbs and 4 carbs. Oh, well. I need to be more careful and also take a closer look at the low carb product thread. I always check the nutrition on products I haven't yet used, but this one really threw me. I haven't used it since May 2005. At least I know now.

[ShayKNJ]

I don't use the chocolate milk but I do use the 2% has it changed too carb wise?

[jjb2000]

I just bought the 2% milk and it had 3 carbs. We enjoy this alot so I hope they don't mess with it. Never tried the choc milk and prob won't now.

[SadLady]

I don't know what they did, but in the past I was able to consume the chocolate milk without any increase in my blood sugar readings, but the last time I bought it my BS went up very high after consuming the product. I thought it was me, that had developed a sensitivity to it, but I guess they changed the formula. Since it afected me so bad, I had decided to quit buying the product and did not check the nutrition information at all. These people, they will never learn. They lost a costumer.

[Meg_S]

Wow.. this is really too bad. Have they done it with the white milk too?
I've recently moved to Germany so it's not like I can even get Hood milk anymore, but when in the US I loved it, used it in everything and made tons of homemade yogurt with it....it was so mild and creamy and easy. It never gave me gastrointestinal distress the way pasturized regular milk and yogurt did. I don't like low carb products in general but the milk was really a gem, same with some of the tortilla brands.

[ShayKNJ]

Wow.. this is really too bad. Have they done it with the white milk too?
I've recently moved to Germany so it's not like I can even get Hood milk anymore, but when in the US I loved it, used it in everything and made tons of homemade yogurt with it....it was so mild and creamy and easy. It never gave me gastrointestinal distress the way pasturized regular milk and yogurt did. I don't like low carb products in general but the milk was really a gem, same with some of the tortilla brands.

Would you mind telling me how to make homemade yogurt? I hate paying so much for the carb control Dannon yogurt. It is about $3.00 for 4 containers which is only about 3 oz. each.

[Meg_S]

It's so easy you'll be amazed.
Disinfect your pot and utensils by boiling water in it. Warm up the milk slowly until tiny bubbles form at the sides of the pot.. don't boil it. Let it cool for a little bit.. 5-10 mins.. add a few tablespoonfuls of a plain yogurt from the store and stir gently. I always used danone plain. Let it sit in a warm place, undisturbed for 8-24 hours. I used to put it in a thermos, but found that the texture was smoother and nicer when I left it in the steel pot. That is it! You can use this fresh yogurt as the starter culture for the next batch too, but it will take far less time - 6 hours or so, if you leave it too long it will turn to cheese. For flavour I actually enjoyed it plain, sometimes would add a couple drops of stevia and vanilla.

[ShayKNJ]

Thanks but I wondering where would be a good place that is warm for 8-24 hours???

Maybe on a heating pad? Or in an oven that was on for a while then shut off or in an oven at a low temp?

[Meg_S]

in winter... what kind of heating do you have? You could place the pot near a radiator or on a vent. I used to do the oven thing, turn it on to warm it, shut it off and leave the milk in there w/ the door closed. IT doesn't have to be hot..just warm. I've also just wrapped the pot in a towel for insulatin as well as leaving it at the base of the refrigerator where the warm air blows out - but htat worked better in summer when it was warmer. In summer our apparment halway worked too.

-a sunny window can work if it's warm. Your suggestion of a heating pad is good too. This yogurt seems to be pretty forgiving in terms of temperature.

[ShayKNJ]

I have forced hot air heat. Maybe I could put it by the oil burner. I can not put it on the floor by the refrigerator because the dog would get into it.

I do have a sunny window a garden window in the kitchen but it is 7 degrees out and it is cold there now. I will think of something I am so tired of paying so much money for the LC yogurt.

I just went online to Bed, Bath & Beyond for a yogurt maker and it is only $14.99 and I have 20% off coupon. I might pick it up.

[LadyBelle]

I bought a little yogurt incubator for under $10 on amazon.com that keeps the yogurt at a constant temp for me and works like a charm.

You can get basic ones like the one I have, or you can go all out and get more expencive ones that let you have more control over the temprature. I think this is the one I have, http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00004SUHY/qid=1134578560/sr=8-1/ref=pd_bbs_1/103-0130042-6590217?n=507846&s=home-garden&v=glance

I have done it with and without heating the milk first. I found that heating the milk did provide for a thicker consistancy. Hood whole milk made a nice thick yogurt, while skim and 2% was runny. The chocolate was just ick. For a real treat adding some Heavy cream in really thickens it up.

I also got little packets of yogurt starter to use when I didn't have any of the last batch left and didn't want to go out and buy commercial.

[ShayKNJ]

LAdyBelle-That is the same one at Bed, Bath & Beyond for $14.99. At my supermarket they only have the skim or 2% Hood's Milk. I have never seen whole milk.

[Meg_S]

just a note, when I used skim it had a nice firm consistency, it wasn'trich like the whole milk, but if you want it richer just add some cream to it.

[ShayKNJ]

Thanks I am so excited to make this.