Frozen Yogurts have gained fame in the wellness industry by being a healthier alternative to ice cream, as well as a rich source of probiotics. Probiotics are extremely important for gastrointestinal health. In India, Red Mango has become synonymous with frozen yoghurts but the health food QSR (quick service restaurant) chain also serves healthy salads, smoothies, omelets, and sandwiches.
Red Mango came to India in early 2012. A few outlets were set up in Delhi and Chandigarh, boasting comprehensive menus. This QSR has a DIY element enabling you to pick your flavor and amount of frozen yogurt and toppings, which are then weighed for billing. All flavors are priced at 99 paisa/g and their premium flavours such as Madagascar Vanilla, Strawberry, Chocolate, and Blueberry all boast imported ingredients- Madagascar Vanilla from Madagascar, Strawberries from Sonoma in California, Blueberries from all over Europe, and lest we forget, authentic Ghirardelli chocolate!
I visited the outlet in Vasant Kunj a few weeks ago and was pretty impressed to learn that Red Mango was a healthy initiative that was serving a lot more than smoothies, fro yo and cappuccinos. My sister and I had spent all evening shopping so we were famished by the time we sat down. We scoured through the menu pretty quickly and ordered cappuccinos, a berry smoothie sans banana, generous dollops of fro yo, a chicken salad and an omelet. Yes, we were starving and couldn’t wait for the food to arrive. The drinks arrived first and the berry smoothie was delightful because it wasn’t cloyingly sweet. I asked for mine without bananas and added a wee bit of stevia as the sweetener to offset some of the tartness and acidity. The berries were fresh and tart- not from a syrup or compote so I knew I was doing right by my body. My sister’s cappuccino arrived- also perfectly made and competitively priced. The grilled chicken Caesar salad was wholesome and would make for a perfect lunch on the go. It came nicely plated with generous servings of grilled chicken, parmesan shavings and crisp salad leaves. I would’ve liked mine without the croutons though and dressing on the side to make it a healthier choice. I was really impressed with the omelet because it was a rather large portion- fit for two hungry people. We had ordered the ham and cheese omelet- it was perfectly seasoned, with just the right smidge of oil and unbelievably light. It came plated with all the trimmings – toast, mushrooms and baked beans. If you are watching your carbs, the omelet is a wise choice if you eat it without the bread. While we put away quite a lot of food, my sister and friend were still looking at the menu and finally settled on the grilled sandwich. The ‘chicken paprika sandwich’ served in multigrain sandwich came with a side of green salad. The girls dipped into the pungent mustard and polished it off within minutes. For those of you reading this- you now know that Red Mango isn’t just synonymous with frozen yoghurts but you can comfortably eat lunch or grab a quick snack without derailing your diet and getting further from your fitness goals.
Eating healthy at Red Mango
By taking a quick look at the Red Mango food menu, you’ll be able to find plenty of choices that are guaranteed to satiate without burning a hole in your pocket. They offer a delicious range of fresh fruit (not frozen fruit) smoothies that are healthy and delicious and can be consumed as a small meal or snack. The mixed berry smoothie is a perfect pick-me-up beverage that isn’t full of sugar like other commercial smoothies. You can also customize yours, and request for a banana-free smoothie if you are on a strict, low-carb diet. For a day when we are feeling truly greedy, we will try the Chocolate Crunch shake made with Ghiradelli chocolate. If you are looking for something more substantial, you could always opt for the parfait from the menu or customize one according to your dietary preferences. Another great low-carb Red Mango lunch is an omelet- we loved the ham and cheese one! We also gobbled up the Grilled Chicken Caesar salad, which had a generous amount of chicken.
Red Mango frozen yogurt exclusively contains GanedenBC30™ (Bacillus coagulans GBI-30, 6086), a natural probiotic, which has been shown to support a healthy immune and digestive system when consumed as part of a balanced diet and healthy lifestyle. These yogurts contain absolutely no artificial sweeteners or HCFS but instead use raw cane sugar, which is considerably lower on the glycemic index than commercial sweeteners. This makes it an ideal choice for weight watchers and diabetics if they stick to portion sizes. Most commercial ice creams and frozen yoghurts chains use some form of modified food starch made from gluten or maize as a thickener but Red Mango is certified gluten free! A small cup without toppings comes in under 100 calories making it a great snack solution when you are out shopping and need something to nosh on. If you pick the unsweetened fruits and berries, and steer clear of highly calorific toppings like chocolate syrup, you can comfortably indulge in it a few times a week without piling on the pounds.
Verdict- it is convenient, affordable and delicious. It makes for a perfect mid meal snack and you can combine a smoothie and a salad or a smoothie and an omelet for a light lunch. The outlets are open to minor tweaks and customizing so let the chefs know what you want to avoid and you can indulge mindfully. I now know where to eat if I’m window shopping or indulging in some retail therapy with the girls. A little birdie told me that they are starting delivery very soon.
About the promoters-
Rahul Kumar MD of Red Mango India brought the brand in 2012 with the vision to provide active and health food to the indian consumer. A health and fitness enthusiast himself, he can’t stress enough on the importance of the a regular exercise regimen. He believes in a regular meditation practice and eating healthy most of the time and allowing a little leeway for indulgences over the weekend.
Quick Notes-
http://www.redmango.in/
https://www.facebook.com/RedMangoIndia/
The frozen yogurt is 100% gluten free, kosher, non-fat, fortified with probiotics and sweetened with cane sugar.
Outlets in Delhi- Cyber hub Gurgaon, Ambience Mall Vasant Kunj, Ambience Mall Gurgaon and Select Citywalk Saket
They also have an outlet in Chandigarh in the Elante Mall.
Price for 2- 500
