Nature Living Health

I’m giving this store five stars due to the fact it is the only place in Vancouver, not greater Vancouver, to buy low carb bread products.

Went here several months ago, and forgot to write a review, so here it is: STAY AWAY! Mediocre customer service, staff know little about the products they’re selling and don’t seem to check their stock for expiry. Yeah. Gross.
MOULDY BREADS PRODUCTS: The first time it happened, I figured the mould on my insanely-​overpriced-​but-​awesome cookies wasn’t a big deal. Over several loyal years of shopping at this place, I figured they should get a free pass, even if it was under new ownership. Then a few months later, I bought a loaf of low-​carb flax bread. I got home, pulled the loaf out of my shopping bag and saw the ENTIRE thing was COVERED in specks of mould — some about half the size of a pencil eraser. I was tired and running on auto-​pilot when I bought my groceries, so I didn’t notice it in the store. Although, it was obvious enough that I wonder why the cashier (who was clearly more awake than me) didn’t notice either!
CUSTOMER SERVICE EXPERIENCE: I called them, calmly explained the problem and the woman on the phone thanked me for letting her know. That’s it. She thanked me for informing her. Um, how about a refund? How about «sorry?» How about some customer service?! I asked her why mouldy products are on their shelves — she blamed the distributor. Funny, under previous ownership, I never saw spoiled products on the shelves. Still no apology. She thanked me again for letting her know and just about hung up before I had a chance to ask her if I can at least have a refund. She agreed, so that was great. No problems getting the refund — but not a word from the disinterested guy behind the counter, aside from «yeah, I knew you were coming.» I thought maybe he would apologize, maybe offer me 10% off (or something) on my next purchase to show they value me as a customer, or show something other than indifference. Nope. Nada.
MORE EXPIRED STUFF: I had a quick peek, randomly, at some of the products on the shelf behind me while the guy was getting my refund. Of those which had expiry dates. guess what? They were expired.
Won’t be back. It’s gross. (FYI — Safeway carries Shirataki Noodles, you can buy bakery stuff directly from Red Square in Burnaby, order stuff online in bulk, check out some of the other stores in this strip in Kits, etc.).
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Feb 2^nd, 2013 — Yep, no change. Nature Health Living is still terrible. «The Low Carb Grocery» just opened up in Burnaby a month ago and it’s an excellent alternative. Reminds me of what Nature Health used to be like, but with much more inventory. Highly recommended!

Kinda fitting that this place would be located next to Plaisir Sucre, as with its low-​carb, mantra, it’s gotta be the complete opposite type of business of PS. The shelves were neatly stocked and clean, but judging by the small number of each item, it doesn’t seem as popular, as its «full fat, full sugar, full carbs» neighbour.
The fellow working there didn’t seem to know too much about health related foods/​issues other than to explain to me that they mainly carry «low-​carb» and «sugar free» products. He was happy to take down my suggestions/​requests, but whether or or not he’ll follow through is yet to be determined.
Now, I’m all for lower calories, but sugar free usually translates to aspartame, which is at the root of so many evils. I have learned the hard way on that one. And I sorta thought that this low-​carb craze was over but that moderation was key?
I can’t really say too much about it other than to check it out yourself. So for now, since it didn’t really offer me «natural-​living” – with so many extra ingredients listed on their packages – it must remain a two-​star.

A gem in the heart of Kits. What I love about Vancouver, more specifically, its Kits neighborhood, is its abundance of specialized health stores.
I was a hardcore no-​carb, no-​sugar dieter. Although my cheat day has turned into 3 months (shame shame) and this store has definitely sustained all my carb and sugar cravings in a healthy way!
At first, I refused to tell anyone about this store because they always run out of the sugar free Red Square dark chocolates as it is so I don’t want competition from other customers! In fact, according to the owner, me and my boyfriend were the only ones who buy them (mainly because when I’m there, I buy them all). But enough of my selfish ways and I think it’s time to share this little heaven in yoga land.
They offer 1g carb cheese buns, flax squares, chocolates, cookies, and even cheesecake! Beware of the cookies and cheesecake though. They pack them with so much maltitol that these innocent looking desserts actually either give you headaches or numerous trips to the bathroom.
One would ask, Can’t I get these products from Whole Foods? Trust me, this store carries the legit healthier products.