In my continuing efforts to switch to a low-carb diet, I’m endeavouring to make low-carb versions of all the foods I used to eat that were high carbs… So far I’ve done very successful bread (tastes better than the stuff I used to eat!) and cookies (though I can’t re-find the recipe I used only once, which is annoying as I can’t remember the proportions of some ingredients). Next up is cold cereal… But I’m also wanting to make granola bars and protein bars. I used to make homemade versions of the Nakd bars, but they’re mostly dates and cashews, and one tiny bar is about 16-18 g of carbs.
In addition to making all this stuff, I’m looking for ways to package it that would make it quick and easy to keep in my bag when I’m out and about. I’ve been eyeing those Foodsaver devices whenever I see them in stores, and wonder if they would be suitable for packaging individual granola bars or cookies. (I’ve read that the plastic is recycleable, which is important to me and primarily why I don’t want to just use Ziploc bags.) Or is it only good for storing things in the freezer? Heck, even if it’s only good for storing stuff in the freezer, it would be great if I could store a week’s worth of meals and then just open them up, dump in a dish, and heat them up to eat after work each day.
Anyone use them and have recommendations (or warnings)?
We sometimes buy proteins in bulk and freeze in meal-size portions–works great for that. Also works well with leftovers from feasts, duch as turkey or ham. A friend seals up home-dried fruits and I have sealed and frozen bars and cookies, too, but don’t do breads–they deflate during the vacuum process. I think you can buy containers for use with the system for freezing casserole-type meals but I haven’t tried 'em.
I have a Foodsaver and use it regularly. But I also have two fridges and a 24 cubic foot chest freezer. I routinely buy in quantity and break into single servings. I’ll buy at costco or expiring food and reseal it and refreeze it. I’ll also cook in large batches and freeze into single or double servings.
The one problem with this sealer type is that it really only works with dry foods. Even sealing meat you have to make sure the meat doesn’t have any free liquid or the machine will pull a vacuum and draw liquid out and get the seal area wet. When I want to seal something liquid, I freeze the portion in a plastic cup and then seal the frozen item.
These sealers work great to individually package things and especially for freezing, vacuum sealing can make foods (somewhat) impervious to freezer burn. Once something is sealed you can also drop it in boiling water to reheat. But be careful with the microwave.
We bought one a few months ago. However, I would highly recommend that when you do get one you get the two in one model. This is the one we got and it works great. What makes this one so much better than the first versions is that it is very simple to operate. My wife says it is easier than a Ziploc. There is a slot you put the bag into that automatically starts to draw down the vacuum and automatically seals it when ready. There are no pins for positioning the bag like some models.
Also, the two in one part is that it has a separate device and setting that allows you to put wet items in the bag and seal it. This uses a different bag but you can actually do things like marinades and spaghetti sauce with the sealer. And not only are the bags recyclable, but they are very heavy material and can be washed out with a light bleach water and reused if they are large enough.
Since there are only two of us to prepare meals for this has been a wonderful money saver for us. We can by a case of chicken breasts that Cosco bring them home and seal them up two at a time. We also like to use our KitchenAid to make our own ground chicken to seal up and freeze as well. We do just as Brian says. The things we use a lot of we buy in bulk, break it down in serving sizes and seal it away.
Hey @Jen, care to share that bread recipe?
I gave up bread long time ago (and don’t miss it) but recently my husband decided to give up bread as well in an effort to eat better and I can tell he’s really missing it. He also claims any bread substitute I made for him so far is “weird”.
Thanks for all the information! I don’t have a massive freezer (I live in a studio apartment), but I’m definitely interested in doing meal prep in advance that I could then quickly cook, so it sounds like it’s good for that. Part of what’s also got me interested in it is that I’ve been looking for single-serve packets of nut butter that aren’t ridiculously expensive so that I could take them on trips or put in my emergency kit. I came across this which really piqued my interest: http://www.righteousbacon.com/diy-nut-butter-packets/.
That should work, but just remember you will likely only be able to seal those packets, vacuum seal would probably suck the nut butter out. Then if you want them to last longer you can also boil the packets for a couple of minutes to kill any bacteria in the sealed pack. Although you should test this first to make sure it doesn’t alter the flavor of the nut butter.
I ended up getting this model after doing a bit of research and finding it on sale for $89. I’m going to start using it today! I’m also pretty sure that this one can work with some of the accessories I’ve read about like Ziploc bags and jar sealers.
That is basically the same model I have. I have not tried zip lock bags, they just seemed expensive. What I found is that I can package something, and then later use part of it and then reseal the same bag with the remaining. And I just haven’t tried the jar sealers although I have thought about the marinator.
Ooh, good to know about being able to re-seal the whole bag. Yeah, the Ziplocs seem a bit redudent then… Are the sealed bags easy to open on the go, or do you need scissors to cut them?
I’ll do things like buy a pack of 5 brats or sausages and repackage then in a vacuum seal package. Then if I don’t want 5 sausages, I’ll cut off the sealed edge, take out say 2 sausages and then just reseal it. The package with three sausages leaves enough tail on the bag to easily reseal. The foodsaver comes with a bag cutter, but I just use scissors.
