Lenny And Larry's Cookies: Keto-Friendly Or Not?

Lenny & Larry's is a company that makes meal replacement protein cookies. They are best known for their Complete Cookie, a vegan protein cookie sold in most health food stores. The standard Complete Cookie is too high in carbs and cane sugar for a keto diet. However, the company has recently come out with a new product: a keto cookie that has only 3 grams of net carbs. The keto cookies come in three flavors: chocolate chip, coconut, and peanut butter. They are dry and crumbly, likely because of the bean flour they contain, and slightly grainy, possibly due to the pea protein. The exception is the peanut butter flavor, which holds together better, although it is still dry. The keto cookies are also much less sweet than the original Complete Cookies.

Lenny & Larry's Keto Cookie: Nutritional Value

Lenny & Larry's Keto Cookies come in three flavours: chocolate chip, coconut, and peanut butter. Each cookie is 1.6 ounces, and a pack of 12 cookies typically costs $21.89. The nutritional value per cookie is as follows: 9 grams of plant-based protein, 3 grams of net carbs, and 5 grams of fibre.

The cookies are vegan, grain-free, gluten-free, non-GMO, and kosher. They do not contain dairy, soy, eggs, high fructose corn syrup, or artificial sweeteners.

The main ingredients in the cookies are grain-free flour (lupin flour and almond flour), organic erythritol, almond butter, pea protein, coconut oil, palm fruit oil, chicory root fibre, vegetable glycerine, semi-sweet chocolate chips, sunflower lecithin, cocoa nibs, xanthan gum, natural flavour, baking soda, gum acacia, stevioside (stevia extract), and mixed tocopherols.

The cookies have received mixed reviews, with some customers praising their taste and nutritional value, while others find them too expensive, dry, and crumbly.

Lenny & Larry's Keto Cookie: Taste and Texture

Lenny & Larry's Keto Cookies come in three flavours: Chocolate Chip, Coconut, and Peanut Butter. These cookies are dry and crumbly, with a slight graininess, possibly due to the pea protein. The exception is the peanut butter flavour, which holds together slightly better, although it is still dry. The cookies are also less sweet than the original Complete Cookies, which may be a positive for some.

The Chocolate Chip cookie has a unique blend of creamy chocolate chips and crunchy cocoa nibs, while the Peanut Butter cookie has a touch of peanut butter added in. The Coconut cookie is likely to have a rich, coconutty flavour.

These cookies are a good option for those on a gluten-free or vegan diet, or those who are avoiding dairy, soy, eggs, high fructose corn syrup, or artificial sweeteners. However, they may not satisfy those with a sweet tooth.

Lenny & Larry's Keto Cookie: Ingredients

Lenny & Larry's Keto Cookies come in three flavors: Chocolate Chip, Coconut, and Peanut Butter. The ingredients vary slightly between flavors but are more or less the same from a nutritional standpoint. The cookies are vegan, grain and gluten-free, non-GMO, kosher, and do not contain dairy, soy, eggs, high fructose corn syrup, or artificial sweeteners.

A 1.6-ounce cookie contains 15 grams of total carbohydrates, 3 grams of net carbs, 9 grams of plant-based protein, and 5 grams of fiber.

• Grain-Free Flour Blend (lupin flour, almond flour)
• Organic Erythritol
• Almond Butter (roasted almonds)
• Pea Protein
• Coconut Oil
• Palm Fruit Oil
• Chicory Root Fiber
• Vegetable Glycerine
• Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips (sugar, chocolate liquor, cocoa butter, sunflower lecithin, natural vanilla extract)
• Sunflower Lecithin
• Cocoa Nibs
• Xanthan Gum
• Natural Flavor
• Baking Soda
• Gum Acacia
• Stevioside (stevia extract)
• Mixed Tocopherols

The Coconut flavor likely contains similar ingredients, with the addition of coconut-based products, while the Peanut Butter flavor may substitute peanut butter for almond butter and include roasted peanuts.

It is important to note that while these cookies are marketed as keto-friendly, some of the ingredients may be considered questionable from a health perspective. For example, lupin bean flour, the primary flour used in these cookies, is low-carb and high in fiber but contains anti-nutrients such as lectins, phytic acid, and trypsin inhibitors, which can cause inflammation and digestive distress or prevent the absorption of nutrients. Additionally, pea protein, which is used in these cookies as a plant-based protein source, does not have the same branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) content as whey protein, which could lead to reduced muscle growth and recovery. Furthermore, chicory root fiber, which is a source of fiber in these cookies, is known to break down faster than other types of fiber and can contribute to gastrointestinal distress in some individuals.

Lenny & Larry's Keto Cookie: Pros and Cons

Lenny & Larry's Keto Cookie is a vegan, gluten-free, non-GMO, and kosher-friendly cookie containing plant-based protein and low net carbs. With a variety of flavours, this cookie is a great option for those on a gluten-free or keto diet. However, there are some pros and cons to consider before indulging.

Pros:

• Plant-Based Protein and Low Carb: Each cookie contains 9g of plant-based protein and 3g of net carbs, making it a tummy-filling and sweet tooth-satisfying snack.
• Vegan and Diet-Friendly: The cookies are vegan, grain and gluten-free, non-GMO, and kosher-friendly. They do not contain dairy, soy, eggs, high fructose corn syrup, or artificial sweeteners, making them suitable for various dietary needs and restrictions.
• Variety of Flavours: The cookies come in a range of flavours, including Chocolate Chip, Peanut Butter, Lemon Poppy Seed, Toasted Coconut, and Snickerdoodle, so you can find your favourite.
• Indulgent Treat: The Chocolate Chip cookie, for example, offers a unique blend of creamy chocolate chips and crunchy cocoa nibs, providing a rich flavour that satisfies snack cravings.

Cons:

• Texture and Taste: Some customers have mentioned that the cookies are dry, crumbly, and chalky in texture. The taste has been described as "odd" and "bland," and the cookies may not satisfy those with a sweet tooth.
• Size and Value: The cookies have been described as smaller than expected, and some customers have mentioned that they are expensive and not worth the price.
• Quality and Freshness: There have been reports of the cookies arriving broken and crumbly, with every cookie in the box in pieces. This may be due to the soft and crumbly texture of the cookies.
• Allergens: The cookies contain lupin and almond, and due to the lupin bean's close relation to peanuts, they may trigger an allergic reaction in individuals with peanut allergies.

In conclusion, while Lenny & Larry's Keto Cookie offers a vegan and diet-friendly option with a good amount of plant-based protein and low net carbs, there are some drawbacks to consider. The texture and taste may not appeal to everyone, and there are concerns about the quality, freshness, and allergens. However, with a variety of flavours, it can still be a good option for those following a keto or gluten-free diet who are looking for an indulgent treat.

Lenny & Larry's Keto Cookie: Comparison to Other Cookies

Lenny & Larry's is a well-known company that produces meal replacement protein cookies, with their standard Complete Cookie being a popular option in most health food stores. However, their new keto cookie has gained attention for its low-carb content, with only 3 grams of net carbs per serving. This article will provide a detailed comparison of Lenny & Larry's Keto Cookie to other cookies, including those from the same brand, in terms of flavour, ingredients, nutritional value, and overall customer satisfaction.

Flavour and Texture:

Lenny & Larry's Keto Cookie currently offers three flavours: chocolate chip, peanut butter, and coconut. While the flavours provide variety, the texture of these cookies has been described as dry and crumbly, possibly due to the bean flour content. The cookies are also slightly grainy, which may be attributed to the pea protein ingredient. The exception is the peanut butter flavour, which holds together better but is still on the drier side.

In comparison, Lenny & Larry's regular Complete Cookies come in a wider range of flavours, including snickerdoodle, birthday cake, and double chocolate. These cookies are known for their soft and chewy texture, which is a contrast to the dry and crumbly texture of the keto cookies.

Ingredients:

The keto cookies from Lenny & Larry's pride themselves on being exclusively vegan and made with natural, gluten-free, non-GMO ingredients. They are sweetened with sugar alcohols and stevia instead of artificial sweeteners. Additionally, the cookies contain sustainable palm oil, which is a positive choice considering the environmental impact of palm oil manufacturing.

However, there are some questionable ingredients in these keto cookies. The flour used is lupin bean flour, which is gluten-free and low-carb but has its downsides. Lupin bean flour contains anti-nutrients, which can cause inflammation and digestive issues or prevent the absorption of essential nutrients. It is also not particularly nutritious due to the processing required to make lupin beans edible, resulting in a significant loss of nutrients. Furthermore, lupin flour is a close relative of the peanut, so it may trigger allergic reactions in individuals with peanut allergies.

Another ingredient, pea protein, is a complete protein with all essential amino acids but falls short in branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) content compared to whey protein, potentially impacting muscle growth and recovery.

Nutritional Value:

Lenny & Larry's keto cookies are designed to fit keto macros, but they are not high-protein options. Each cookie contains 8 grams of protein, which is lower than what some individuals may be looking for in a protein-focused snack. The cookies seem to be geared more towards satisfying a sweet tooth while staying within keto guidelines.

Customer Satisfaction:

Customer reviews of Lenny & Larry's Keto Cookie are mixed. Some customers appreciate the low-carb and gluten-free aspects, finding the cookies to be a great snack option. However, others have criticised the texture, describing the cookies as chalky and brittle. The size of the cookies has also been a point of contention, with some finding them smaller than expected. The value for money is another area of disappointment, with the cookies being described as expensive and not worth the price.

In summary, while Lenny & Larry's Keto Cookie offers a vegan and low-carb option for those following a keto diet, it falls short in terms of flavour, texture, and nutritional value when compared to other cookies, including the brand's own Complete Cookie. The keto cookies may be a suitable choice for those with specific dietary restrictions, but they might not satisfy those looking for a more indulgent or protein-rich snack.

Frequently asked questions