12 Ridiculously healthy packaged foods
In a perfect world, we'd all make whole wheat pasta from scratch and grow fresh tomatoes in our own backyard. We do not live in a perfect world. That's why prepackaged foods make so much sense-as long as they're a healthy addition to your diet. Here, 12 great-tasting packaged products that are also ridiculously good for you (they're also trans-free and low in sodium and sugar).
1) Cereal: Ambrosial Venetian Vineyard Granola
Why it's a winner: This sweet and crunchy organic granola wowed our tastebuds with its combination of walnuts, dates, and raisins. It packs in heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids and 28 g of whole grains and has no added oil.
Healthy highlights: Though it's a little caloric, at 230 calories and 7 g of fat per 1/2 cup serving, it contains 5 g of fiber, 6 g of protein, and 10% of your daily dose of iron.
Try it: Over yogurt or mixed with fat-free milk and fruit.
Get Cereal-Smart with these tips for buying the right box
2) Yogurt: Chobani Lemon 0% Greek Yogurt
Why it's a winner: Creamy and decadent, the new flavor of this überpopular yogurt brand will have you licking the carton (we have). Its not-too-sweet citrus taste satisfies while still providing all the nutritional benefits of Greek yogurt.
Healthy highlights: This nonfat yogurt contains 140 calories and provides you with nearly one-third of your daily intake of protein as well as 15% of your daily calcium.
Try it: For breakfast, as a snack, or mixed with a teaspoon of honey for dessert.
Choose the best yogurt for you
3) Wrap: Tumaro's New York Deli Style Wrap-Pumpernickel
Why it's a winner: With just 80 calories per serving, the pumpernickel variety is made from whole wheat flour and has a delicious deli flavor you don't find in many wraps.
Healthy highlights: This 10" wrap contains 80 calories, 2.5 g of fat, and 10 g of fiber.
Try it: In this Roast Beef and Creamy Horseradish Sandwich recipe (swap it in for the bread!), or fill it with veggies, turkey, and a little mustard for a healthy lunch.
4) Deli Meat: Applegate Farms Organic Roasted Turkey Breast
Why it's a winner: This organic meat has a wholesome and delicious flavor that stands out among sliced turkey. It's free of preservatives, antibiotics, and nitrates, so you can be sure that what's going on your sandwich is as natural as possible.
Healthy highlights: 50 calories, 0 g fat, and 10 g protein per 2-ounce serving. Though a serving contains 360 mg of sodium, it is comparatively lower than other packaged sliced turkey breast.
Try it: folded into a Tumaro's Pumpernickel Wrap.
More hearty low-calorie meals and salads
5) Vegetarian Entrée: Amy's Light and Lean Black Bean and Cheese Enchilada
Why it's a winner: Frozen meals aren't known for being healthy or necessarily tasty, but this new dish from Amy's is both. The filling entrée contains only 240 calories, but our tasters said it kept them full for hours, and they loved the rich and bold Southwestern flavors.
Healthy highlights: 240 calories, 4.5 g fat, 480 mg sodium, 4 g fiber, 8 g protein, and 20% of a day's vitamin A
Try it: For a convenient lunch or dinner. Boost veggie intake by pairing with a side salad.
11 More mouthwatering meatless meals
6) Soup: Trader Joe's Organic Tomato & Roasted Red Pepper Soup Low-Sodium
Why it's a winner: Thick and savory, this boxed soup is so delicious, you'd never know it was low in sodium. Katherine Tallmage, RD, author of Diet Simple, ranks it among one of the few packaged foods she regularly eats.
Healthy highlights: 100 calories, 3.5 g fat, 140 mg sodium, 2 g each fiber and protein, 10% vitamin A
Try it: With a grilled cheese sandwich.
Pair this soup with one of our filling low-cal salads
7) Kid-Friendly Dish: Dr. Praeger's Sweet Potato Littles
Why it's a winner: These adorable sweet potato bites will be devoured in seconds. Plus, with just a few ingredients in them, your family won't be getting any unwanted extras. The dinosaur shapes may help win over the younger crowd, but the sweet flavor and crispy texture of these Littles are just as good for grown-ups.
Healthy highlights: 60 calories, 2 g fat, 85 mg sodium, and 16% vitamin A
Try it: As a side with sandwiches or as a snack.
These bites are the perfect complement to our slow cooker barbecue pulled pork
8) Chips: Laurel Hill Multigrain Chips
Why they're a winner: If you have a chip craving, these babies will satisfy your need to munch and crunch. Brown rice, quinoa, flaxseed, and stone-ground yellow corn combine to add fiber to this snack, but what keeps you coming back for more is the light, crispy texture with the perfect hint of salt.
Healthy highlights: 140 calories, 6 g fat, 2 g fiber, and 80 mg sodium
Try it: With our lighter guacamole recipe.
Try crumbling these chips to make our tortilla-crusted chicken recipe
9) Bar: KIND Bars Pomegranate Blueberry Pistachio
Why it's a winner: One look at this bar and you can actually see the almonds, cashews, blueberries, and raisins. Readers liked the tart and tangy taste that wasn't "too sweet." With 50% of vitamins A, C, and E, you can be sure you're getting health boost in each bite.
Healthy highlights: 170 calories, 8 g fat, 4 g fiber, and 3 g protein
Try it: As a cure for the afternoon slump-they're perfect to throw in your purse.
Make your own energy bars for 19 cents each!
10) Milk: Almond Breeze Original Unsweetened Almond Milk
Why it's a winner: This rich and creamy beverage is gaining popularity not only for its taste but also its nutrition. With fewer calories than fat-free milk, you can get 20% of your calcium and 50% of your recommended intake of vitamin E.
Healthy highlights: 40 calories, 3 g fat, 25% vitamin D, and 20% calcium
Try it: On your cereal or in your coffee.
Try almond milk in low-cal smoothies
11) Nut Butter: Barney Butter Almond Butter Snack Packs
Why it's a winner: Almond butter lovers will literally go nuts for these 90-calorie portable packets that offer easy portion control, because nut butters can be high in calories.
Healthy highlights: 90 calories, 7.5 g fat, 0.75 g saturated fat, 3 g protein; contains vitamin E, iron, and magnesium
Try it: Spread some over a piece of whole wheat bread or smear it on an apple slice.
Use a bit of little almond butter to make a creamy milk shake
12) Marinara: Lucini Rustic Tomato Basil Sauce
Why it's a winner: The ingredient list is full of whole foods-tomatoes, extra virgin olive oil, onions-and sweetened with carrot puree, not processed sugar. The low-carbon-footprint packaging is microwaveable and leaves you with an easy cleanup.
Healthy highlights: 80 calories, 4.5 g fat, 380 mg sodium, and 20% vitamin C
Try it: In Vegetarian Lasagna Bundles or Tricolor Pasta Casserole.
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Is there a "healthy" product you stopped eating because it wasn't as healthy as you thought it was?
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