Healthy You
Inside: Find out which Trim Healthy Mama products to buy from their store when you cannot buy them all. These are the products that are the most helpful and will actually make your life easier!
When I first started dabbling in the Trim Healthy Mama lifestyle back in 2013, there was no easy button when it came to learning the lifestyle:
- There was no Trim Healthy Mama Cookbook.
- There was no Trim Healthy Mama Membership site.
- And there definitely was no Trim Healthy Mama store.
When I began the Trim Healthy Mama lifestyle, there were also no certified coaches. The only book available at the time was the original book–the huge, 600-page dinosaur of a manual called Trim Healthy Mama.
I got out my trusty pen and highlighter and studied that book like I was studying for a college exam. I was able to lose weight after my 3rd pregnancy by following the plan.
When the Trim Healthy Mama Plan book came out a few years later, it was easier to understand.
Still, without accountability, I ended up falling off the bandwagon, and I gained 30 pounds in the two years after my fourth and final child’s birth.
When I’m working with my 1:1 Trim Healthy Mama coaching clients, one of the first things I ask them is: “If I could wave a magic wand and give you an easy button to make this plan work in your life, what would that button do?”
Often, that “easy button” comes in the form of ready-to-go ingredients that makes living the healthful, low-glycemic, Trim Healthy Mama lifestyle more sustainable.
Over the years, I’ve slowly began buying things from the Trim Healthy Mama store. At first, I didn’t feel it was necessary, as I was already accustomed to eating this way without needing to purchase anything from their store.
But I’ve found that, especially for my clients just starting out, purchasing the following items from the Trim Healthy Mama store is just the “easy button” they need to get started and quickly find success with the THM life.
While I’m giving my top 5 products that I believe are the most helpful, I’m also going to give a little review of everything I’ve tried from the store, those things that I use and love but that last me so long that I barely ever have to replace them, and those items that help you live the Trim Healthy Mama life but I prefer to purchase elsewhere.
5 THM Products You Actually Need
1. Trim Healthy Naturals Baking Blend
The Trim Healthy Mama Baking Blend is the perfect FP (fuel pull) item for your THM pantry. Yes, that means you can bake with it and make foods into S (satisfying), E (energizing), or FP (fuel pull)! It’s both low-carb and low-fat!
The baking blend is comprised of oat fiber, coconut flour, golden flax meal, blanched almond flour, collagen, and glucomannan (konjac extract powder).
What I Use it For
I personally don’t do a ton of baking, so I only go through a couple big bags of Trim Healthy Mama Baking Blend per year, but I find it helpful to always keep on hand for the recipes I use it with again and again. I use it to make pancakes, pizza crust, and bread. There are a few recipes that call for scant amounts of it (like in a casserole), and I often leave it out of those without knowing the difference.
I tried to make my own baking blend at first but the texture always felt off, and it’s just so easy to get it at the THM store. Some of the DIY recipes become a S because of the amount of almond flour, and the THM baking blend is already perfectly blended to stay in FP mode.
A lot of the THM desserts and baked goods called for the baking blend, and some new THMers find themselves frustrated if they do not have it.
If you’re new to Trim Healthy Mama and can swing a few bags, I most definitely recommend you get it.
Buy it here.
Alternatives
Sheri’s Gluten-Free Baking Mix
Related: Homemade Protein-Packed Peanut Butter Cups {THM S}
2. Pristine Whey Protein Powder
Can Trim Healthy Mama be done without protein powder? Yes. Is it part of the easy button? Absolutely.
When you’re a busy mama, having the ability to make quick protein shakes is a must. As well, there are some amazing THM recipes out there for baked goods that use whey protein to increase the protein content (like this super easy FP bread recipe!).
There are so many bad protein powders on the market today–full of sugars, too many fats, too many carbs, or just really unhealthy ingredients.
Will they help you lose weight? Sure. Will they help you gain health? Probably not.
That said, there are also many great protein powders on the market today. I would never suggest that the Trim Healthy Mama brand of whey protein powder is the be all, end all. But, it is very high quality, made with top notch ingredients, and it’s perfectly on plan. It fits that easy button to a T.
What I Use it For
I use my whey protein for my okra shakes several times per week. I also use whey protein in my coffee to make a rich, frothy latte several mornings per week. I also use it for several baked goods or for making a DIY protein bar. I even use it in my homemade protein-packed peanut butter cups!
Alternatives
Before I began using the Pristine Whey Protein Powder, I used Orgain Organic Plant Based Protein Powder and also OWYN Plant-Based Protein Powder (the vanilla flavor is also fabulous). These two are great for those who want to stay low or no dairy.
You want to stay with on-plan ingredients (look at the ingredients on the THM Food Analyzer App) and it’s best to stick with a protein powder that can be a FP–so 10g net carbs or less and 5g of fat or less. You also want to stick with 2g or less of sugar per serving. The OWYN Plant-Based Protein Powder has very clean ingredients, but it has 4g sugar per serving, so I would back it off to 1/2 serving (which is 1 scoop instead of 2) when I used it. Orgain Organic Plant Based Protein Powder is probably better in this regard, as it is sweetened with on-plan sweeteners and has 0g of sugar.
Related: How to Turn Your Morning Coffee Into a Superfood {THM S or FP}
3. Trim Healthy Naturals MCT Oil
MCT Oil is so good for the metabolism! I sometimes challenge myself to use at least 1 teaspoon MCT oil in something each day.
My MCT oil lasts me a really long time because I only use a little at a time. When I first started THM, I used the NOW brand MCT oil. I recently ordered the Trim Healthy Naturals MCT Oil and really like it. I will probably stick to it from now on.
What I Use it For
I usually see the scale move when I am consistent with adding MCT oil to my hot drinks or shakes. Along with my hot drinks and shakes, you can also use MCT oil to make salad dressings. I will often use 2 Tbsp. MCT oil and 1 Tbsp. apple cider vinegar to dress my S salads.
Alternatives
You want to look for a non-GMO, organic MCT oil. Here are some alternatives I’ve used before:
Azure Markets Organics Coconut MCT Oil from Azure Standard.
(Azure Standard is kind of like a natural foods co-op. I talk about it in this post.)
Related: 8 Place to Shop for Natural Living Products Online
4. Gentle Sweet
Switching to a low-glycemic sweetener is an absolute must when living the Trim Healthy Mama lifestyle. Yes, some people don’t have a sweet tooth and can live fine without desserts.
The majority of us? Not so much!
I was attracted to the Trim Healthy Mama way of eating because I could eat healthfully, lose weight and then maintain a healthy weight, and I could do so without feeling deprived!
I can eat my cake for breakfast if I want!
But that takes cutting out sugar and finding an alternative. And I’ll be honest: That is probably one of the most difficult changes–at first.
The staple sweetener on the Trim Healthy Mama plan has always been stevia (from the herb), but this sweetener has a very bitter taste for some, and it’s just not as appetizing as, well, sugar.
Sugar alcohols–which, in a nutshell, are made through fermenting certain plants, like corn or birch, are actually natural sweeteners. Although fine for humans, one sugar alcohol, xylitol, can be toxic to dogs, so I personally avoid it. As well, it can cause some people to feel digestive upset.
My preferred sweetener is Pyure, which is a stevia/erythritol blend. I can get it Walmart or Amazon.
Monk fruit and chicory root are two other on-plan sweeteners, as well as Swerve. In my experience, monk fruit is the best option of these three, especially for those who want to avoid stevia or sugar alcohols for whatever reason. Monk fruit is not as sweet as Pyure, and some packaged monk fruit is actually blended with another sweetener, so be sure to check labels.
Chicory root can cause digestive upset in some, and Swerve can leave an odd, cooling sensation in your mouth. I just prefer to avoid these and stick to Pyure.
Related: Aspartame: Why Sugar-Free Foods (with artificial sweeteners) Can Cost You Your Health
All that said, it takes a little experimenting to find the THM-compliant sugar substitute that works for you.
In the meantime, the “easy button” will be to just buy the THM sweeteners. Their recipes call for them, so you have to do some mental math to convert other on-plan sweeteners to go with their recipes (which is possible: I do it).
The original Gentle Sweet is a stevia/erythritol/xylitol blend, but they now also have a version without xylitol to make it safer for homes with dogs.
If you’re new to Trim Healthy Mama, I recommend you get at least one bag of Gentle Sweet to use for experimenting.
What I Use it For
I have ordered Gentle Sweet in the past, but now I prefer Pyure since I can get it locally. Supposedly Pyure and Gentle Sweet are a 1:1 conversion, but I actually half my Pyure for the Gentle Sweet amount. I guess I don’t have much of a sweet tooth!
Alternatives
If you have all of the individual sweeteners, you may be able to save a little money and make your own Gentle Sweet. I have done that before. It’s just easier to buy it.
Related: Pumpkin Cream Smoothie {THM S}
5. Super Sweet Blend
Super sweet is another THM sweetener. It is twice the sweetness of Gentle Sweet and many Trim Healthy Mama cookbook recipes call for it.
I would personally advise new THMers to get bags of both Gentle Sweet and Super Sweet, so they can have a mental break on trying to figure out sugar conversions while they are just learning the plan.
Alternatives
If you have all of the individual sweeteners, you may be able to save a little money and make your own Super Sweet. I have done this before as well.
Other Easy Button Products
Trim Healthy Naturals Cuffin Mix
Want a super easy Trim Healthy Mama breakfast or snack? The Trim Healthy Naturals Cuffin Mix has “easy button” written all over it. It’s just like a cake mix. Add an egg, some oil, and some water, stir, pop it in the microwave, and you have a muffin in a mug in no time flat.
I personally prefer the cinnamon spice cuffin mix, but they also have a chocolate cuffin mix for those chocaholics out there!
What I Use it For
You can’t ask for a quicker breakfast than this. On days you need to get out the door in a hurry–or on days when you’re simply feeling lazy–this is the way to go.
Alternatives
There are a bazillion muffin-in-a-mug recipes all over the blogosphere. You can easily make these yourself without buying the mix, but having the mix on hand makes baking these so much easier during busy seasons.
Here are some DIY cuffin recipes for you Purists or Non-Busy Mamas:
German Chocolate Muffin in a Mug
Related: Trim Healthy Mama Books & Cookbooks {Which Ones You Really Need}
Pressed Peanut Flour
If you really like peanut flavored items, then you may want to get a bag of pressed peanut flour as well.
What I Use it For
I LOVE my peanut-flavored or peanut butter chocolate shakes! Or, you can use it to make a peanut butter spread.
Alternatives
Any defatted peanut flour will work, but you need to make sure it’s sugar-free or at least 2g of sugar or less per serving. A lot of the peanut flours on the market have sugar.
Trim Healthy Naturals Oat Fiber
If you love baking–especially FP baking–then you may want to consider buying oat fiber. There are some desserts that simply cannot be made with any other flour, like the Guilt Gone Cranberry Pie (which is AMAZING!).
Oat fiber can be confused with oat flour. They are not the same. Oat flour is simply ground oats and is an E. Oat fiber is a fuel pull.
What I Use it For
I’ve lived without it during most of my THM journey, but once in in a while I will be disappointed if I run across a recipe I want to try and can’t because it calls for oat fiber. For that reason, I bought a bag recently, and I think it will last me a very long time.
Alternatives
I don’t really have one. The THM oat fiber is gluten-free (which I am), and it’s hard to find gluten-free oat fiber. If you aren’t gluten-free, you should be able to find one on Amazon.
Related: Gluten-Free Strawberry Cobbler Recipe
Pure Stevia
I do not use pure stevia very often since I personally prefer a stevia-erythritol blend. However, once in a while I’ll run across a recipe that calls for a tiny amount of stevia, and, I’m, therefore, glad I have it on hand. (One very small package will last me years.)
The Trim Healthy Mama brand has sourced a very pure stevia, and I trust it.
What I Use it For
I barely ever use it, but when I do it’s usually for a recipe that calls for a pinch or a “doonk” (1/32 tsp.). There are many savory recipes that call for a tiny bit of stevia that I just leave out.
Alternatives
There really are no alternatives to pure stevia, but there are plenty of sweetener alternatives (see above).
Gluccamannon
Gluccamannon is made from the konjac root, and it’s another product that will last me for forever because I use so little of it. However, it’s very helpful to have on hand, as it’s a thickener (an alternative to cornstarch). It is also great for the metabolism and can help break a weight loss stall. For pregnant or nursing mamas, this ingredient can help you enjoy your E meals while slowing your body’s absorption of carbs.
What I Use it For
I use it as a thickener for some shake recipes and also to thicken soups or sauces.
Alternatives
Xanthan gum can be used as a substitute for gluccamannon in some (but not all) recipes.
I personally prefer other brands for the following on-plan items:
Collagen
Hands, down, Zint is my favorite collagen (and I’ve tried several). It’s a great price and dissolves very well. I tried the Trim Healthy Mama brand a few years ago, and I felt like it really clumped up in my coffee.
I use collagen in my coffee every single morning. In my opinion, collagen is a must-have for the Trim Healthy Mama lifestyle. I just would avoid the THM brand of it.
Mineral Salt
I prefer the Real Salt brand, which I’ve been using for about 10 years.
I use the following Trim Healthy Mama products infrequently:
I have the following in my pantry, and I don’t regret that I do, but I use them so infrequently that I don’t feel anyone new to THM needs to rush out to get them. I would ease into these products, buying one at at time as you’re able.
Baobab Boost Powder: Great for your immune system, this contains a lot of vitamin C. I sometimes add it to my Good Girl Moonshine. Too much causes me to have digestive upset.
Nutritional Yeast: I’ve been using this for years–long before Trim Healthy Mama. It gives your food a slightly nutty, cheesy flavor. I used it when our family was dairy-free to give us the flavor of cheese. Some people add it to eggs or popcorn. I don’t use it often. The last time I purchased it, I got the Lewis Labs brand. Some nutritional yeast brands are fortified with extra folic acid, which I try to avoid since I have the MTFHR gene mutation. This brand doesn’t contain the form of folic acid that my body has trouble processing.
Sunflower Lecithin: I do use sunflower lecithin weekly, but I use such a tiny amount that the container I currently have (the NOW brand) has lasted me more years than I want to admit (it’s, um, probably expired by now!). It has many health benefits, especially for nursing mothers, but most THM recipes that call for it say it’s optional. It will not affect the taste of recipes in the least. It does add some “froth” to latte and shake recipes. The next time I need to replace it I will probably opt for the Trim Healthy Mama brand.
Phyllium Flakes–If you plan on baking a lot THM-compliant breads or making your own non-dairy cheeses, then you may want to get this. However, I think most do not need it. This is the type of ingredient that the Purists out there need. You can make your own low-carb tortillas or wraps with phyllium flakes, but they’re not easy, and it’s easier to buy something on plan that is already made.
Things I’ve never tried:
Just Gelatin-I do use gelatin (albeit infrequently), but I’ve always gotten a brand from the store and didn’t feel a need to buy this from the THM website.
Hydrates–People rave about these. Think: Crystal Light meets Trim Healthy Mama. I personally like the taste of original Good Girl Moonshine and didn’t need to wean myself off soft drinks when I started THM, so I haven’t felt the need to get these. If you hate the taste of water, then these may be a great way to help you increase your hydration without getting bored.
Protein Bars–Strawberry & Chocolate–I’ve never tried these, but I hear they are fabulous. I get some personal choice protein bars from Costco, so I haven’t felt the need to buy these.
Dynamic Greens Powder-This is a brand new product on the THM site, so I’ve not had a chance to try it.
Coffee–I haven’t felt the need to try the THM coffee when I am happy with my affordable Fair Trade coffee from ALDI.
Natural Burst Flavorings-The THM store admittedly has a ton of flavorings that are hard to find at other stores. If you love experimenting with a lot of different flavors, you may really enjoy the flexibility this will offer your recipes. However, I’m a “keep-it-simple” girl, so I prefer to just stick to the basics–vanilla, peppermint, almond, and lemon–that I can get elsewhere (usually Amazon, Walmart, ALDI, or Azure). I may eventually start adding some THM flavorings to my pantry, but I haven’t yet.
Protein Pleasure Cookies-I’ve tried one of these, but I’m not counting it because I ate it when I had COVID, and it happened to be the same day that I began to lose taste and smell. Go figure! Other THM-ers rave about them, so I can’t wait to order some more!
Shameless Cheesy Kick Crackers–These are at the very top of my to-buy list the next time I place an order at the THM store. I was addicted to Cheese-Its when I was a kid, and I’ve heard these are like those–but way better!
Dark Chocolate Bars-So I bought these–and they’re just hanging out in my pantry. I’m not a huge chocaholic, but I like to keep things on hand for when a craving may hit. I hear these are amazing. Can’t go wrong with on-plan chocolate! I have had the Lily’s chocolate bars, and they are amazing! My husband usually puts one of each flavor in my stocking at Christmas.
Milk Chocolate Bars-Pretty much ditto to what I said above! I’m just way more of a peanut butter-and-chocolate-together type, which is why I make these!
Trim Healthy Naturals Chocolate Chips-I’ve not purchased these because I am very satisfied with the Lily’s Chocolate Chips that I get from Azure. I get them from Azure every single month, and one bag usually lasts me a month.The kids know that the Lily’s are Mama’s only, and I make them last. I usually add them to my yogurt bowls. You can also get Lily’s, the Bake Believe, of the Hershey’s Sugar-Free Chocolate Chips from Amazon and at some Walmarts and other grocery stores.
Interested in joining a Trim Healthy Mama coaching group when I re-open enrollment? Sign up for the interest list here.
Download Your Free Menu Planner Cheat Sheet
Tracking your food & water intake is vital to healthy weight loss & maintenance! As a bonus for signing up for my weekly newsletter, I’ll send you my weekly menu planner to help you stay on track–for FREE!
- Download the free cheat sheet. Join my weekly-ish newsletter and as a bonus, you’ll get the printable! Just click here to download and subscribe.
- Print. Any paper will do the trick. You’re going to want to print a fresh copy each week to stay on track.
- Hang your cheat sheet somewhere handy like the fridge–so you’re more likely to use it throughout each day.
Download now: 7-Day Menu Planner for Daily Food & Water Tracking
Your Turn
What are your favorite Trim Healthy Mama products? Which ones could you live without or prefer from a different brand? Share in a comment below!
Deb
I am a newbie. While I am completely motivated to begin this journey, I am simultaneously overwhelmed at all the information. To compound matters, I’ve recently discovered I feel very sick and bloated if I have anything with gluten, even though my labs were normal.
Erin
I am so sorry to hear that, Deb! I know THM can be overwhelming at first. I run a 6-week Basics coaching group 3 times per year if you are interested in hiring a coach at all! You can read about it here: https://thehumbledhomemaker.com/trim-healthy-mama-basics
I have been 100% gluten-free for 11 years, so it’s one of my specialities. It does get easier with time. Hang in there!
Carolyn
I’m so glad I found your website. I have used THM products for years but with the new way they are doing their sales, it’s become very expensive with shipping for one or two items. I tried to order last week during their bigger sale and had a number of issues and then thought I had my order go through only to discover it had not today when I realized I never received notification. So I decided to try making my own and you were very helpful in leading me down this path. Thank you so much!
Erin
Hi Carolyn! I am so sorry I missed this comment before! I totally get the struggle with not wanting to pay for shipping on one or two items. It gets very expensive! That is exactly one of the reasons why I wrote this post. I am so glad you found it helpful! Best wishes to you on your THM journey!!