I just got back from my dream tour! I got to go to The Lite Choice and try out tons of flavors plus learn everything there is to know about the company! They saw that I am a huge fan of their soft serve from reading my blog. They sent me a message on Twitter inviting me to come in to get a look on how their low-calorie soft serve gets made! Of course I was beyond excited!
I met Claudia Giraldo, the Director of Operations and the “Twitter Girl!”
I also met Ron Greenstein, President and CEO! They were both extremely nice and friendly!
I will start off by giving you a little background information on The Lite Choice (from the website):
The Lite Choice (TLC) is a soft-serve made from the finest all-natural ingredients and farm-fresh dairy. Our soft serve is low fat, lower calorie, low carb, and low cholesterol. There’s NO corn syrup, artificial additives, or preservatives. We use 100% all-natural and USDA certified Organic flavors.
How did The Lite Choice start?
Ron and his partner, Ed Newmark started over 20 years ago as Tasti D-Lite and owned 7 stores. In 2007, Tasti was bought by a private equity firm but Ed and Ron decided not to franchise. 30 other Tasti D-Lite stores also decided not to continue. Ron and Ed created their own brand called The Lite Choice and converted 7 stores. Other stores followed. Now The Lite Choice has 30 locations and is still expanding. They are planning on opening other locations in Canada, Israel, and more!
The actual soft serve at Tasti is also different from that at The Lite Choice. I told Ron and Claudia that I noticed the size of a small at Tasti is the size of a medium at The Lite Choice. The Lite Choice decided to make their cups bigger since it is better for adding toppings. The soft serve at Tasti also seems more bland and watery. The Lite Choice is almost all organic so the flavors are rich and creamy with no aftertaste. All of the flavors at The Lite Choice are gluten-free except for just 5!
Frozen Yogurt vs. Soft Serve
I learned that The Lite Choice is not frozen yogurt! I felt bad for calling it fro-yo all this time! Places like Pinkberry and Red Mango are frozen yogurt. Frozen yogurt contains bacteria which The Lite Choice does not have. It is also not considered ice cream since it contains less than 3% fat. From now on, I will call it a soft serve frozen dessert!
Any Flavor Any Time
The Lite Choice has over 50 unique flavors with more than 40 certified organic flavors. I learned today that you are allowed to order ANY of these flavors when you visit any location!! I always thought you could only order the 4 or 5 flavors that are labeled on the machines!! I can’t believe I had no idea! They also grind their own peanut butter and almond butter daily using all-natural peanuts and almonds!! I requested to try an almond butter soft serve!
First they fill the cup with vanilla.
Then they add fresh almond butter to the cup. They use their special mixer to blend them together.
A delicious almond butter soft serve was created in just 1 minute! It tasted incredibly fresh and creamy! I will definitely get that flavor more often!
They asked me what my favorite flavor was. I said Cookies N’ Cream!
I learned that they use organic cookies from Whole Foods to make their Cookies N’ Cream soft serve!
They once again mixed the vanilla with the cookies.
Yum! I wish I knew I could get this all along! This baby is just 108 calories!
Here are some of the other options to get as flavors!
Next they let me sample their hot chocolate! It is all natural and contains only 130 calories for a 6 ounce and is just 99 cents! It was incredibly rich and delicious! Perfect to get in the winter time.
Next I got to try the Coconut and Banana!
The banana tasted just like the banana soft serve that all the bloggers have been making! That’s because they use real bananas and organic soft serve! I am not usually a fan of coconut but I loved this flavor!! It tasted like I was eating a real coconut and had a wonderful strong flavor.
They also make shakes, protein drinks using whey protein, and coffee freezes. All of the shakes are made with organic soft serve and blended with skim milk. All 3 of us decided to enjoy a Coffee Freeze while chatting in the office. They are made with international coffee and organic soft serve. It was delicious and just what I needed to wake me up a little!
I was in slight heaven……
The Lite Choice also makes frozen bars and cakes!
The cakes are made with a vanilla and chocolate base and then you can choose any flavor you want for the rest of the cake! You can also add a picture. I will be requesting one of these for my next birthday 
They also sell individual slices of the cake.
I got to try 3 of the bars: Almond Butter, Strawberry Shortcake, and Cookies & Cream.
They were all delicious but my favorite was the Cookies N’ Cream of course! We were talking about how we like Skinny Cow ice cream but they are so small so we end up eating 2! The bars at The Lite Choice are twice the size for not too many more calories. They range from 140 to 170 calories and are all organic.
Another great thing about the company is that they are starting to go green!
They currently use wowgreen cleaner which is non-toxic and uses recycled materials to make their bottles.
They are also planning on using biodegradable plastic bags.
The 3 of us sat around chatting and talking about my blog and ideas on how we both could improve our websites. Ron and I also both went to Israel in the last few years so we chatted about the camels and Jerusalem for a while! We discussed future giveaways as well so stay tuned for that! It was an amazing experience and I have an increased respect for the company. Thanks Ron and Claudia!!
I was planning on going to the gym after but they sent me home with tons of goodies!!! I went right home and stuck them in the freezer!
I got Dark Chocolate Truffle, Banana, Cookies N’ Cream, carob chips, sprinkles, and cookie crunches! I also got every type of frozen bar! I am a happy girl!
You can learned more about The Lite Choice here and follow them on Twitter here! They announce special discount codes on Twitter every day so be sure to check it out!
Now I am off to the gym Have a great weekend!
Related posts:
This is amazing! SO sorry I couldn’t make it today, I missed out! I had no idea you could ask for any flavor, they should make that more known! Also, those bars! Ahh. I wish the Tasti across the street from my apartment turned into a Lite Choice
[Reply]
That looks like the most fun and delicious tour! Jealous!
[Reply]
omg i am so jealous!! i wish there was a lite choice near me.it sounds incredible
[Reply]
That looks amazing. Soft serve ice cream is one of my favorite foods ever. They need to open a store in Georgia.
[Reply]
The almond butter soft serve looks INCREDIBLE! I love how they make it as you order it, and not just scoop it out of a container! I wish I lived near one! I’m a FROYO addict!
[Reply]
Soo cool girl! This is one fantastic review! Im such a HUGE froyo fan and I love soft serve of any kind so this is right up my alley. I’ll have to look and see if they have any in my area. Thanks so much for sharing!!! Have fun at the gym!
[Reply]
Wow you are so lucky!!!!!! How amazing that place is!!!!!!!!!!!! I wish there was something like that where I lived!!!!! You had a great day, and I had a great time drooling looking at this post!!!! xo
[Reply]
OH MY FREAKING GOSH!!
you need to tell them to have one in SC!!
seriously..this is amazing
[Reply]
Wow what a great tour! you are so lucky… that must have been a great experience =)
[Reply]
That sounds like an amazing day! I’m a wee bit jealous. I had no idea they had organic/natural stuff. I’ll be going soon!
[Reply]
I had no clue such a place existed. I’m sad they’re not in Canada though. I would love to go there, i love frozen yogurt (or frozen dairy treat i guess). And those options looks amazing. We have similar places here, but nothing that extensive
You’re a lucky girl for getting such an awesome tour
[Reply]
Missy Reply:
January 10th, 2010 at 11:13 am
They are coming to Canada in the future!
[Reply]
Claudia Giraldo @ The Lite Choice Reply:
January 13th, 2010 at 12:24 pm
Hi Mandy: Good News! We will be opening our first Canadian location in Montreal this month. Follow us on twitter and facebook for expansion updates. They will be offering our 50+ USDA certified organic flavors, and you can ask for the flavor of your choice and it will be made instantly without any extra cost.
“The Lite Choice” is “The Right Choice”
[Reply]
one word. JEALOUS. god can I be you or at least just go ou wth u? get ready I am returning in march OR june……prepare ur liver apparently
xoxo
lolo
[Reply]
Missy Reply:
January 10th, 2010 at 11:14 am
I am so ready! Haha get the vodka ready!
[Reply]
You are one lucky girl! The power of social media is amazing huh? I need to Twitter to my local companies for tours haha!
I love all that they’re making efforts to be as organic and green as possible. It shows that they care about more than making money. A great company! Do you know if they’re expanding to more cities?
You got some great treats girl!
[Reply]
Missy Reply:
January 10th, 2010 at 11:14 am
Yes they are expanding to more cities! I will suggest Boston for you! Or you just need to come to NY thanks!
[Reply]
wow what an awesome adventure! i would have been all over that coconut. there’s a lite choice right across the street from my school and once it gets warmer out i will definitely be heading over there. i feel like the server would look at a person weird if you asked for a flavor that wasn’t on the board haha like that dane cook skit where he asks for something thats not on the board i think at kfc…seen it?
haha anyways sounds like a fun day
[Reply]
Ahhh I’m so jealous, I go to The Lite Choice like every day haha. Their coffee freeze is absolutely to die for:)
[Reply]
Wow this place looks amazing!!! I wish I had one nearby!
[Reply]
OMG! I have heard so much about this place. I’m so jealous that you got a tour and all
hehe
I wish they were out in AZ
[Reply]
Super jealous of you Missy! The lit choice looks awesome!
I was drooling over your post
Jenna
[Reply]
Everything looks so yummy. Maybe they will have one in my area one day. I love soft serve!
[Reply]
I have never wanted soft serve more than I do now!
I am so amped to visit this place. if i wasnt freezing my ass off in my apt right now I would take a walk over there!
Spring couldnt come any faster!
Thanks for that awesome look into the biz
[Reply]
That sounds like an AMAZING place!! Ahhh, but I wish we had one here.
I can’t believe they blend fresh nut butters with it? WOW.
[Reply]
I haven’t been there yet, but come summer I’ll have to review a shop or ten!
[Reply]