I am reminded of my youth!!!

Gah! So this might be a ridiculous post but at the same time I think it's pretty appropriate since it is that time of year where EVERYONE is grilling (and a lot of people are trying to maintain their bikini/bathing suit bodies!)....


So first I must give some background information... Ever since I was little I have adored ketchup! Ketchup sandwiches were ranked very high on my favorite food combination list! (Mayo sandwiches being a close second)...


But ever since I realized what high-fructose corn syrup was (which was a VERY LONG TIME AGO - thanks to my health conscious mother)... I stopped eating the stuff!


The other day I was ambling around the grocery store, sort of wasting time but also trying to keep myself busy until a check-out line wasn't about 10 people long... when I came across an interesting product in the condiment aisle...


I didn't really think anything of it until I remembered the days of when I was nine years old and younger, eating my juicy corn-fed hamburgers (yea, that's another topic to be discussed) on my very mushy white bun (how I invented the ketchup sandwich)...


Instead of continuing on to the check out line, I picked up a Heinz Reduced Sugar Ketchup bottle JUST TO SEE what filled the sugar void... and TO MY SURPRISE it was only sweetened with some Splenda (which I allow in my diet)!!!!! Not to mention, instead of the typical 15 calories per tbsp there is ONLY 5 and there is even 20 less milligrams of salt in the low sugar variety!

Ingredients as stated on the bottle:
Tomato Concentrate from Red Ripe Tomatoes, Distilled Vinegar, Salt, Natural Flavoring, Onion Powder, *Sucralose, Spice. *NOT IN REGULAR KETCHUP
**Not really sure what "natural flavoring & spice" mean but at this moment in time I am too excited to care!

So of course, out of impulse and because it's that time of the year where I miss having ketchup with my burgers... I bought it!


When I finally got back to my place that afternoon I dropped all of my groceries on the floor because my curiosity was brewing intensely and BOY WAS I PLEASANTLY SURPRISE! WHAT A GREAT BUY! (Typically I have no luck with trying new things... I tried a mock ketchup by Walden Farms once and it was REPULSIVE)


This ketchup tasted EXACTLY like the real stuff! It cannot be beat! It's consistency was spot on and the flavor was tangy yet sweet, just the way ketchup is suppose to be!


When I tried my new LOVE on a burger I cooked that evening... even more in love than before... oh and my love grew EVEN FONDER (if it is at all possible) when... I PUT IT ON SPAGHETTI SQUASH!!! My taste buds are officially ecstatic all thanks to a 15 ounce bottle of Heinz Reduced Sugar Ketchup!


So if any of you out there are trying to avoid high-fructose corn syrup - this product is definitely a WONDERFUL replacement (after all, I wouldn't have an ENTIRE blog post dedicated to it if I didn't think so! ha ha!)


PS: Ketchup (the non/low sugar types) are extremely healthy for you because tomatoes contain lycopene, an antioxidant that is known for warding off all sorts of cancers. This antioxidant is also known to be a low dose SPF! Who would have thought that quote "food as thy medicine" could be true! More reasons to love this awesome staple!! **Might as well just swirt the bottle into your mouth, no?**
PSS: This is a Low Carb & GLUTEN-FREE food!