While browsing the store looking for a healthy alternative, I came across Thomas Hearty Grains Muffins. I have tried a number of "heart healthy" english muffins in my time, and could not help but to look at the product with some uncertainty. All of the muffins I had tried in the past had invariably been one of the following: stale tasting, rubbery, plain, tasteless, or hard. How would Thomas' offering stand up?

Well, certainly the nutritional information was what I was looking to purchase. With only one gram of Fat per muffin, and zero saturated, trans, polyunsaturated, or monounsaturated fat, it certainly lined up with it's heart healthy tagline. A low sugar content was also important to me, and Thomas met the challenge there. Add in the fact that fiber was present, and you have a great combination for a guilt free treat! There is also eight grams of whole grain in every muffin so you are getting stuff that is good for you as well. It is advised that you take in forty eight grams or more of whole grains daily anyway, so a muffin or two puts you well on your way to the amount you should get.

Upon first taste, I immediately noticed the texture was very similar to my favorite english muffins. It did not taste like any english muffin I had tasted before that held the moniker of "heart healthy". Instead it was very smooth, and natural tasting. It also struck me as very hearty, as I was full after just one. My previous forays into the english muffins always left me hungry for more than one, so this was important in my eyes. The first time I tried the product I ate it by itself, so as to not be skewed by the taste of any condiments. Since then, I have tried them with fat free cream cheese, fresh fruit, and "I can't believe it's not butter" spread. (not all at the same time of course). With these tasty additions, I have now found my favorite heart healthy breakfast.

If you are like me, price point is certainly important as well. I love New York Strip steak as well, but I can't afford to eat it regularly. With only six muffins per package, it is a bit on the high side at $3.69. When you compare this price to other similar products, however, that is about the same. Since the price is the same, but the quality is very much on the side of Thomas, the decision seems negligible. I just may not be able to eat them every day.

In the final analysis, Thomas Hearty Grains English Muffins rank at the top of the heart healthy options on the market in my book. Though a bit on the high side, they are in line with all the other items of it's kind on the market, and the quality makes up for the price.