“Melissa, I was wondering if you could make a list of your take on the healthiest versions of store-bought food we can find at the store.  I’m just curious because I don’t eat salads and drink water every meal every day. 🙂 Thanks!”

This question on which processed foods are best is so important, especially when factoring in weight loss!  With the busy world we live in, making things from scratch is not always an option – it’s good to have some healthy packaged brands in mind.  Most importantly, the food that you buy at the store should not prevent you from reaching your weight-loss goals.  I hate to list specific brands, but there are definitely brands that are better for you.  If you really want specific brands, check out this post, “25 Healthy Snacks You don’t have to Prepare Yourself.”  I thought the best way to share an answer with you is to show you what I look for when selecting certain items!

Granola Bars

I always check the protein, fiber, and added sugar content when purchasing a package of granola bars!

• RX Bars have no added sugar or gluten, have 5 grams of fiber per bar, and 12 grams of protein
• Kind Bars come in full or mini size!
  • Minis: 2-4 grams of fiber, 3 grams of protein, and only two grams of added sugar
  • Full Size: 5 grams of protein, 7 grams of fiber, and only four grams of added sugar
• Lara Bars have no added sugar, 4 grams of protein, and 4 grams of fiber

Crackers

When I am browsing for a good box of crackers, I pay attention to how much fiber and sodium are present!  I look for at least 3 grams of fiber/serving (whole grain crackers will have plenty!). I also compare the sodium as well, because some can get really high.

• Hint of Salt Wheat Thins have 3 grams of fiber/serving and 55 mg of sodium/serving
• Triscuit Hint of Salt Crackers have 3 grams of fiber/serving and 50 mg of sodium/serving

Yogurt

Confession time: I don’t actually love yogurt (anyone else think it has a funky texture?)  The only way I eat it is if I buy the full-fat Greek yogurt that tastes like ice cream and put all the fruit and nuts in it! Yum! So basically I eat fruits and nuts with a little bit of yogurt! 😊  Stonyfield is one of my favorite brands because they don’t use artificial coloring or flavoring, plus it is organic – but there are other good ones, too!  For my husband, I buy Dannon Light and Fit – this yogurt is low calorie and delicious!  If you’re trying to incorporate more protein into your diet, Greek yogurt is a great choice (plus it keeps you full longer).  Always check out the added sugar on your yogurt label (it should have less than 10 grams of added sugar!).

Juice 

At my house, the only juice we keep around is orange juice!  Orange juice is packed with vitamins and antioxidants to support your immune system.  When I’m considering which brand to buy, I always make sure it isn’t from concentrate (it will typically tell you on the front!).  Fresh-squeezed is always a plus and SO yummy, but it’s definitely more expensive and doesn’t last as long.  Buying a juicer has been on my “to-do” list for a while; I mean, a fresh-squeezed cup of orange juice in the morning?  Yes, please!  Here are a couple of my favorite not-from-concentrate brands:

• Simply Orange Juice
• Good and Gather Orange Juice 
• Florida’s Natural Orange Juice

Soup

When I’m on the hunt for a good soup, I almost always buy the reduced-sodium kind.  Soups are typically really high in sodium, so this is the one thing I compare when deciding between two soups. But honestly, I find it super easy to batch cook soup on Sunday. I can freeze half of it and eat the other half for lunch the rest of the week.

Frozen Pizza

The biggest thing I look at when purchasing a frozen pizza is saturated fat and sodium levels.  The one with the lowest numbers wins – extra bonus if I can find one with whole wheat crust. If you buy a pre-made crust, homemade pizza is really easy and definitely a healthier option.  Here are some good frozen pizza brands:

• Caulipower Pizza has less sugar than regular frozen pizzas and is a good source of protein.
• California Pizza Kitchen has a preservative-free crust and has no artificial flavors!

Frozen Meals

I like Amy’s and Healthy Choice Steamers!  Amy’s are vegetarian and some are vegan – they are so tasty!  When picking out a frozen meal, I take a look at the sodium and total fat content.

I definitely don’t eat salads daily either – remember that there are lots of healthy food options out there for you besides salad!  I hope this helps point you in the right direction. I do like the books, “Eat This, Not That!” if you are looking for a guide to tell you exactly what to purchase, but food is not just about calories.

Remember that the label is helpful, but it’s just as important that you enjoy it too! So make sure you consider the taste too! If you get confused looking at labels or want an opinion between two products, shoot me an email – I’d love to hear from you!!