The Costco Enchiladas That Are Dividing Reddit

For better or for worse, low-carb products are on the radar of shoppers all over the United States. On average, about one in three Americans embark on a diet each year, and 5% of those diets are low-carb (via Food Insight). 

With the growing popularity of the ketogenic diet in the late 2010s and early 2020s, food companies have released a plethora of products to meet the specific macronutrient needs of the diet's followers (via Health Reporter). Unsurprisingly, many of these products are inherently controversial, especially those that attempt to mimic carb-heavy classics. Some people are disappointed when the low-carb products don't taste exactly like their traditional counterparts, while others can appreciate them for their unique qualities. A glimpse at Amazon reviews for a keto-friendly cereal brand, for example, makes these mixed feelings evident.

The divisive nature of low-carb food alternatives is especially obvious when it comes to a certain brand of pre-made enchiladas sold at Costco. Made with low-carb ingredients, Costco shoppers are torn over whether they deserve the same rank as their conventional enchilada predecessors.

The ever-so-active Costco subreddit saw one of its most dynamic debates over Real Good Food's Chicken Enchiladas. It started when one user posted a photo of the product and added the caption, "More like Realbad food. Not even worth it with the sale." 

Real Good Foods is a brand known for making frozen food products that are low in carbs and high in protein, especially compared to competitors that make similar products with more traditional ingredients. As they proudly declare on their website, all of their products are keto-friendly, a facet they believe makes them the better, healthier choice than other brands. One serving of the Grande Chicken Enchiladas, the subject of the Reddit post, contains 2 grams of net carbohydrates and 20 grams of protein, whereas a typical chicken enchilada contains 30 grams of total carbs and 14 grams of protein (via Nutritionix).

These numbers may seem too good to be true ... and they are, at least according to this Redditor and some others, who left comments like, "I agree. It was the most disgusting chicken that I've ever had in my life," and, "I'd rather eat a few more carbs and calories to enjoy what I eat."

However, other users had more positive things to say about the enchiladas. Some were able to enjoy them simply by not expecting them to taste just like the real deal. As one user reminded everyone, "This is keto food. Not to be compared to regular food. I eat this on the regular." A few diabetic users shared their praise for the product too, as they appreciated that the macronutrient levels are conducive to their dietary needs.

What we may take away from the enchilada controversy is as follows: When it comes to enjoying diet-friendly alternatives, it's best to focus on the bright side and manage your expectations. If you're interested in learning more, you may want to know which foods you think you could eat on a keto diet but can't.